My Journey to Health and Happiness. SO excited to share!!

Its been nearly 3 years since my last blog entry and so much has changed. 'I' have changed to be more specific, and I'm excited to share all my new discoveries and passions.  
I'll post some photos of the amazing things I love and look forward to sharing with you :)

This is my No Bake Chocolate "Nice" cream cake! All natural whole food ingredients like medjool dates, coconut milk, hazelnuts, cashews & rolled oats!!  Ill post all the recipe soon

About 3 years ago I became very ill.  For 2 years doctors searched for the "diagnosis".  Test after test I sank into a very dark place of fear and pain.  As time carried on and the testing continued, I started to look for my own answers.  I began with nutrition.  I spent hour after hour poring over information and studies.  Peoples personal stories and experiences.  It wasn't hard for me to see that my eating habits were far from healthy, although I had thought they were.

Picking flowers and eating fruit. Something about the fresh scents of nature that can soothe my wild mind.  Darn-it, why cant we have lilacs all year round!!!

I also began to access my lifestyle.  My stress level.  Was I doing things in my life that truly made me happy?  That gave me a sense of Joy and Peace?  Not really.  I was so focused on my business and career that I was forgetting to enjoy life.  I worked all day and barley slept.  Even if I sat down to watch TV in the evening Id still be working.  I thought if I spent anytime doing anything other then working, cleaning etc, it was time wasted.

My home reno and my handsome best friend (my husband)

We fell off our rockers and on a whim bought a 200+ heritage home that looked like AmityVille Horror house, but we reno-ed, reno-ed, reno-ed and heres a peak, our kitchen.  The rest of the house is pretty amazing as well.  but I'll never re-no again LOL

I remember laying in bed at night and being so wound up, all the ideas and to do's running through my head.  My mind was never at rest.  I took all of this into account and decided. IM GOING TO CHANGE.
A change not to impress anyone, not for any other reason but to find HAPPINESS.  Medically I was told I had Lupus and Fibromyalgia.  I also had sever degenerative arthritis in my spine.  
I decided this was not my reality and began my path to natural wellness.  I started with my diet.  I said good by to all the refined sugars and oils. goodbye to all the processed foods, all the junk foods.  I cleared out my pantry and fridge of all the franken-foods.  I began a Whole Food Plant Based lifestyle.  

ahhhh, apple ginger berry water.  One of my fave. Anti inflamitory, anti oxidents, heres your fountain of youth

This I believe has made THE MOST SIGNIFICANT change in my life!!! It wasn't long before I literally felt like a new person.  My pain diminished.  I had energy that I have NEVER experienced in my life.  I began to glow from the inside.  My mind cleared.  My moods shifted.  The anxiety went away.  I can honestly say I began a new life.  The life I had always wanted.

the awesomeness that is chia pudding parfait :)

I also shifted "spiritually".  I don't mean religion, but spirit.  That happy place inside of us that is connected to nature and the Earth.  I began to take time for myself.  Took time for GRATITUDE.  I realized I would be much more productive if I was happy and ultimately productivity was not the key to happiness.  I slowed down.  Took time to enjoy my tea.  To sit in the sun and play in my garden.  Listened to the wind, took my dog for walks, read books, mediation, yoga ... I began to LOVE MY LIFE.

Mediation is one of THE BEST things I have ever done.  Twice a day. 

So that brings us to today, where am I at? I no longer see doctors on a weekly basis.  I feel amazing. Although I do have some back pain here and there, who wouldn't after 7 car accidents, yes I got in another car accident 5 months ago, it wasn't my fault :)).  But between the yoga and my awesome anti inflammatory Ginger Turmeric tea I don't need any medication.  I am 38 and look younger now then I did 10 years ago.  I'm grateful! Grateful for having been in pain, grateful for having a second chance to live this beautiful life.  Grateful to have found the healing power of food and happiness and I cant wait to share my continued journey 
  ps ... yes I still do arts and crafts all the time.  Lots of fun magical things to share :)

The other loves of my life.  My daughter Daisey, Best friend forever Bear and the fabulous dachshund Baby T (Theo)

xo Theresa 

Day 27 Snowglobe Reindeer

Day 27 Reindeer Holiday Snowglobe 

Im so excited Christmas is coming I want to make all sorts of pretty whimsical gifts for family and friends .. so all my crafting from here to Christmas will be lovely holiday treats! I bought these super cute little reindeer and some 'reindeer moss' .. thats what its called.  I decided to make snow globes with them since I loved the little necklace so much.

What you will need

~ mini reindeer.  I found mine at AC Moores but around his time of year you can find pretty miniatures everywhere .. (I also found thise teeny trees and snowmen)

~ Reindeer Moss .. most craft stores carry this .. its real moss .. so pretty

~ glue gun

~ Jar .. I used a baby food jar but if you want to get fancy Michaels has all different shapes and sizes.

~ Snow dust (craft store)

~ fine white glitter (craft store, I used Martha's)

~ Burlap .. I bought this gorgeous burlap with gold threads running through it at Michaels .. sparkle sparkle

~ Hemp Twine, Michaels .. also has gold and copper threads running through it :)

~ I tiny piece of wood

Lets begin

You'l be creating your scene on the lid of the jar.  Start by making sure your wood fits into the lid and the jar still closes on top.  The wood will give your reindeer a little height so he does not get lost under the lid.  Glue on your wood with a glue gun .. make sure the top is flush with the lid or your deer will stand crooked.

                     

Next glue your deers we little hoofs to the wood ..

Begin to moss ify.  I took very small bits of moss, dropped a little glue on the bottom and added them to my wood and lid. 

 Make sure you do not add to much so your lid can still close when the jar is placed on top.

pretty .. now let it snow .. add your snow dust.

... now a little magic shimmer, what is a craft without glitter??  

I added these tiny red sequins as well .. I wanted a pop of color that looked like berries.

Now measure your lid on the burlap.  I traced it with a pencil, but Martha has a disappearing marker that I need to get, perfect for something like this. 

cut about 1/2" around the circle or whatever length will cover your jars lid.

look at the pretty sparkle!

Now small sections at a time apply your glue and attach your burlap to your lid.

Tie on your hemp .. of course you can use and string or ribbon your like ..

shake a little to get a shimmering storm started around your deer .. the glitter will catch on the glass just enough for the whimsy effect.

Walaa . so pretty!  Your reindeer snow globe.  

favorite thing ('these are a few..');

... love this over sized clock I just found at Home Sense .. Im doing the French Provincial look for my new house .. my husband just put in those hardwood floors you see and that beam is made of 200 year old barn wood we found when we removed a wall (along with lath and plaster, my new house is 203 years old)

365 Days of Pinterest Day 26 DIY Christmas Tree Snowglobe Necklace!!

Snow Globe DIY Christmas Tree Snowglobe Necklace!

 Yay!!!  Im almost at the end of my home renovations and Im so happy to finally have a little more time on my hands .. for crafting!  Recap .. I just bought a gorgeous 203 year old Colonial style home 4 months ago, we've had 120 days for massive home reno's ... its almost done!!!  I'll show you all my before and afters pics soon .. 

Iv decided all my crafting posts from now until Christmas will be DIY holiday gifts!  Iv seen so many amazing things on Pinterest I cant wait to try so lets begin .. 

Here they come! ....

                           

What you will need:

~ small trees.  I found my trees at the dollar store but I also saw them in the diorama isle at Michaels. 

~ Small bottles, again I found my bottles at the dollar store (with beads in them) but I also saw them at Michaels in the 'Idea-Ology' line or you can get them here from Etsy  http://www.etsy.com/listing/112283804/10-small-glass-bottles-with-cork-and?ref=shop_home_feat

~ necklace finding and chain (Michaels ... my second home)

~  fine white or iridescent glitter, I used the Martha Stewart Craft Essentials 24 pack from Michaels .. use your coupon 40% off  :)

~ E6000 Glue or a Glue gun if you are a fast mover (I used E6000 because I was working with my nieces and nephews)

~wire clippers

~ toothpick

 I like to set some of the more difficult crafts I do with children "buffet" style.  I take one child at a time and we go down the line, each step layed out in order .. I find that kids really love the individual attention and time you spend with them one on one .. makes them feel special .. and they are.  Also if you have a more difficult or messy craft you can make sure 5 kids aren't sticking their hands in bowls and flinging glue and glitter at each other .. :)

 first trim the top of your tree off ... size up the tree next to your bottle to see what height you need then clip of the top.

                               

glue the base of your tree.  Either E600 glue wich you will have to wait about 5 min to dry firm enough to continue or a glue gun for immediate gratification :)

I used E6000 so my niece could put the tree in herself .. sense of accomplishment .. priceless 

There she is .. tree in jar .. next up ... glitter ...

I put the glitter in a little bowl so the kids could pinch it out with their fingers and drop little amounts in the jar 

or if your plying solo .. sprinkle away 

next attach your necklace finding and loop to your cork top.  I trimmed mine with the wire clippers, dipped the end in E6000 for extra hold and then put it in the top.

attach to chain .. 

Walaa!!  The prettiest little tree in a bottle you've ever seen  A gorgeous gift!

In the first photo you see the necklace the children made with the glitter tree,  I used a more natural snow covered tree in mine below

 Verdict .. super fun and easy craft!  We all loved it .. inexpensive supplies .. makes a really nice whimsical winter gift .. have the kids give it to their teachers .. A+

Heres the original Pin .. thanks for the awesome inspirations!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/139330182194843644/

Find of the week ...

I love this little birdie plate I picked up from Home Sense .. In the USA the store is called Home Goods .. I used it when I had my family over to serve little chocolate truffles my mother had made ..