This photo just speaks to me as to how nature inspires so many things in life…including jewelry. This lovely young woman is adorned with a beautifully created crown and necklace of fresh flowers.  Jewelry doesn’t always have to be gold and gems…it can be made of nature!

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers I am touching with these sentiments.  And there are all kinds of moms out there...mothers to the children you’ve birthed, mothers to the children you’ve lost, mothers to the children you’ve adopted, mothers to the children you’ve befriended or mentored or cared for.  You are mothers to your pets, to your grandchildren or Godchildren. There are endless ways to be a mother or to be motherly…and I honor and admire every one of you. Thank you for being in my life, for inspiring me, for teaching me, for loving me.  I love you back!!

My own mother Virginia, was the most beautiful, loving, generous, compassionate woman I have ever known. I am incredibly blessed God gave me this amazing woman to carry me, birth me, and raise me to be the woman I am. A woman who encouraged me, supported me, and expected nothing but my best. She defended and protected me...but absolutely instilled the fierce independence in me to take care of myself. Her favorite saying to me was “you will never let moss grow under your feet” for she knew I would never sit still as I was always on the go with my curiosity and adventuresome spirit.  She was a great lover of nature, and I surely got my deep love of animals from her. Thank you beautiful mother…I love and miss you so much.  This photo of her at her marriage to my dad at age 18 shows her true inner and outer beauty.  Just look into those soulful eyes. Until we meet again in heaven mom…

 

Mother’s Day is just around the corner…May 14th. There are countless ways to show your love and appreciation for her. Women love jewelry…and moms especially love jewelry which remind them of their most important role in life.  There is jewelry with birthstones of their family members, and jewelry engraved with special words or messages or names. Jewelry is the perfect memorable lasting gift she will cherish. Let me help you find or design that special symbol of your love for her which she can wear every day to remind her how much she means to you. 

 

I love all the beautiful flowers May will bring. It’s like the earth coming to life in full bloom after the winter rest. It makes me feel more alive too! I can now plant beautiful flowers in my pots and hanging baskets outdoors as it’s finally warm enough to have them grow and flourish. I take great pride in my landscaping and surround myself with vibrant flora to make my home gorgeous. I love waking in the morning to their beauty, their scent, and their energy. It is so joyful to tend to them each day…lovingly arranging, watering, and pruning. Summer is my favorite season and it’s almost here! 

 

Have a beautiful May and Mother’s Day friends!

 

 

His famous quote: “If man made it, don’t eat it!”

 

Jack Lalanne was a legend! He was the first face of exercise and fitness in America. He opened the first health club in 1936 and he was the guy in the tight-fitting blue jumpsuit who brought his exercise programs to America’s housewives on TV in the 50’s and 60’s. He inspired millions to get fit! 

 

I had the pleasure of hearing him in person as the keynote speaker at a fitness convention when he was in his 90’s and he was just as passionate as ever on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He was an inspiration!

 

His personal achievements in fitness were absolutely incredible…especially the ones accomplished after he was 40. His daily mantra for being “ridiculously healthy after 40” no doubt worked for him as he almost made it to 100! And he walked the talk. He lived to be a fit, healthy, 96 year old spending the last years of his life “living” not dying” for he exercised and juiced daily.   

 

You can read more about Jack’s philosophies on longevity on the Modern Health Monk site. Many of them I incorporate into my own wellness regimen.  Although I personally am Vegan and eating a plant-based diet, he ate both meat and veggies. 

 

Great health and vitality is within our reach! We are what we eat! If that is true, I am bursting with all sorts of vitamins and minerals from all the plants I eat! If you want to be healthy, fit, vibrant, and full of energy, you need to eat plenty of fresh produce each and every day in a variety of colors. 

 

I made an amazing discovery about 7 years ago. I found a unique vertical aeroponic growing system called the Tower Garden to grow my own organic produce indoors/outdoor year-round. Since I am hyper focused on food quality, safety and sovereignty, this is the perfect solution. No longer do I have to rely on trying to find the freshest, most nutritious produce because it’s now right at my fingertips. I know it’s safe for only I have touched it.  I know it’s fresh because I harvest it each day. I know I don’t have to rely on any outside source for my food because I grow it myself.

 

I’ve just planted my indoor Tower Garden about a month ago and I’m already harvesting some amazing fresh produce! And it’s almost time to take my urban farmer growing to the outside for the summer. I can start this in late May here in Wisconsin.  Since I live in a condo, I can’t have an outdoor vegetable garden in the dirt, but I can grow organic produce on my Tower Garden in the summer on my deck! This is easiest, most efficient way to have access to this fresh, safe, and nutritious food year-round. 

 

Here's a photo of my Tower Garden.  https://www.wildabout.towergarden.com 

I love this quote for it speaks to our own uniqueness. We must always speak our own truths…to act in the spirit of our souls. I don’t ever want to pretend to be something I am not for it is liberating to be ME.

 

We get lost and confused when we are trying to fit someone else’s mold or fit their expectations. I’ve found myself doing this at times for whatever misguided reason. I am only the happiest when I live my authentic true self. Remember…some will love you…some will criticize you…some will try to silence you…some will dismiss you…some will try to change you. 

 

“But my darling you being different…was your strength all along”. When I read this quote to my fiancée Dan, he remarked “you not being afraid to be different is your strength all along”. I love that he recognizes and appreciates my courage and fearlessness to be absolutely authentic. He loves and adores me for the woman I already am.  He never tries to change me.