‘Tis the season to be especially thankful.
Enjoy this article I wrote for Rochester Woman Online Magazine.
I am grateful for you.
Author | Writer | Lifestyle Blogger |Speaker
Enjoy this article I wrote for Rochester Woman Online Magazine.
I am grateful for you.
Essential Oils enhance not only daily living but are also handy to have everywhere you go. Especially when I travel by plane, essential oils make it a calm and pleasant experience. Fill the air with diffuser recipes too. When you read the travel tips, recipes are included. Go here to get the ‘ingredients’ you will need…
It’s summertime here in the United States. Are you planning a vacation? Whether you’re taking a road trip by car or RV, going by train or plane, Young Living shared these tips that make traveling with kids easier and more fun. Click here to read more…
Message me with any questions. Share your journey with me. I look forward to hearing from you.
What comes to mind when you think about self-care? Spa days and soaking in a deep tub surrounded by bubbles? Those are lovely options, but wait, there’s more. Self-care and self-love are more than just occasional pampering.
Creating regular routines and practices are a sustainable way to a happier, healthier you.
Why is self-care important? Let me count the ways. First of all, it’s been proven that the benefits you can reap are more happiness, confidence, and productivity.
Neglecting self-care can lead to feeling anxious and burned out. Have you ever heard the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup?” It’s nearly impossible to run a home and a business, take care of a family, or even be a great friend if you are running on empty. Taking care of yourself first gives you the energy and love to be able to best support your kids, your partner, your friends, and your colleagues.
Anything you do to nourish your physical, emotional, and mental health is considered self-care.
If you’ve ever found yourself saying or thinking things about yourself that you’d never dare say about another person, it’s time to implement positive self-talk. Replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive ones.
Easier said than done, right? To help you get started, write down a few things you love about yourself and read them every day; several times a day, in fact. Add in words of gratitude. Speak those words out loud and smell or diffuse an essential oil, like Believe, Valor, Transformation, Gratitude, Grounding, or Motivation, for example. Explore your options here.
Feeling good about yourself and caring for yourself starts from the inside out. Your daily eating habits have a long-term impact on everything from your immune system and gut health to the quality of your sleep.
Keep your nutrition simple by drinking plenty of water, eating the rainbow, and getting in some good fats and lean protein. If you feel like you’re still not getting the nutrients you need, I can guide you and make recommendations! Also, get the extra nutrition support with the right supplements.
With endless to-do lists and demands on your time and attention, it can put your brain on overload. Take a few minutes to stop, pray, and meditate on God’s Word. Let God fill your heart. Allow His peace, strength, and love flow in and through you. Taking time for this has many benefits, you will be anxious for nothing, which will boost your mood and reduce stress. Even if you find it difficult to calm your racing thoughts at first, just sitting and taking a few deep breaths will do wonders to help you relax physically and mentally.
Whether it’s a walk around the block, a dance party with the kids, or a powerlifting session at the gym, the health benefits of moving your body, and negatives of sitting all day, are too great to ignore. If you’re out of practice with movement, start small with 10 or 15 minutes a day and pick something you love or something easy to work into your schedule. Walk the kids to school instead of driving, dance while you cook dinner, or do a 15-minute video before winding down for the evening.
Vacations are an important part of self-care, but have you ever come back from one and felt like you needed another vacation to recover from it? If you often experience travel fatigue, then slow travelling may be just what you need. An alternative to traditional tourism, slow travelling is all about pacing yourself for a more immersive experience.
For example, instead of cramming your itinerary full of tourist spots, slow down and get a taste of what day-to-day life is like for the locals. Stay in a home with character; eat at small, family-run restaurants; and spend time exploring your surroundings without feeling pressured to document it on social media. When you let mindfulness and self-care guide your itinerary, you’ll come back from your vacation more refreshed and ready to share your best self with your friends, family members, and the world.
As I write this, I will be travelling to Cancun soon. If you want to know how to travel better without breaking the bank, including daily, local perks, check out this wholesale affiliate option.
No matter what you do, take time for you.
Let me know how I can help.
(*Note: This blog was inspired by partner company, Young Living, and my own experience. Also, tech challenges – even if the hyperlinks look crossed out, they do work when you click on them.) Thanks for reading.
Much Love,
Hello,
It took courage to be bold and share my story. Read the real, raw feature story published by Rochester Woman Online Magazine thanks to Kelly Breuer. May it encourage and inspire you. It’s possible to make your dreams a reality.
Tell me your goals and dreams. It would be my pleasure to help you.
Much Love,
I found a mission of honor and service in my neck of the woods.
Parked out front of Mission BBQ is a 5-ton truck called BAMBAM (Big And Mobile Barbeque Assault Machine). It serves as a billboard, a portable smoker, and a representative of their mission that proudly displays the American flag.
Two patriotic friends, Bill Kraus and Steve “Newt” Newton created a way to honor America’s military, veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders.
Recently, I sat down with Darin Townsend, Area Director of Operations, at Mission BBQ in Henrietta, NY. It is the first location in New York state. There are over 100 locations along the East coast. They serve up food and more with a heaping portion of patriotism.
The founders, Bill and Newt, wanted to bring patriotism back to our country to honor those who served. Hats off to them for executing this life-changing mission.
The doors of Mission BBQ opened on a significant day, September 11, 2011. They chose that day because 9/11 changed our country forever. It was our Pearl Harbor.
This mission is about taking our country back and making it great again. Our heroes make this country great.
Heroes are welcome the moment they walk in the door. Not only are they served authentic, homemade Texas-inspired BBQ and sauces made from scratch, but it is also served with respect and gratitude in a patriotic dining room.
Every day at noon, they stop serving at 11:58 am. Everyone in line is told they are going to pause for the Star-Spangled Banner. The teammates come out and stand around the corners of the restaurant, and at noon sharp, the national anthem of the United States comes on the speakers.
“We honor our country with the singing of the national anthem,” Townsend told me.
On special days like Veteran’s Day and Armed Forces Day, they have a live singer and National Guard. There is a guest of honor table. Last Veteran’s Day, there were three WWII veterans, a Korean War veteran, and three distinguished Army officers. WWII veterans always eat for free.
Throughout the year, they honor folks who have served, including first responders, police officers, and firefighters. On 9/11, they give away free sandwiches to them.
Hung on the walls are patches and pictures donated by family members of those who have served.
You’ll see a picture of Don Quigley, who served with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. His daughter is involved with the Honor Flight.
They have the academy wall honoring the four academies and the 9/11 wall in remembrance of that day.
There is a Gold Star wall for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can be free. Lance Corporal Marine Zachary Smith from the Southern Tier paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was deployed to Afghanistan at 19 years young. A picture of Zach and his wife hangs in the foyer. They had only been married for six months.
Stories of service and sacrifice fill this place. Not only is Mission BBQ about good food, but it’s also about meaning, purpose, honor, and giving back.
Townsend also shared with me, “Anytime a Vietnam veteran enters, the teammates shake their hand and say, ‘Welcome home.’”
All their service is community oriented.
There is a Veteran VIP program and birthday club offered where you get a free sandwich. The All-American Hero Cup is available year-round. A portion of the proceeds is donated to various organizations.
They take food once a week to the local police and fire departments to say thank you. Recently, Mission BBQ closed for a day to feed the homeless veterans with the message, “Our heroes served us. It’s our turn to serve them.”
Additionally, Mission BBQ gives back by donating and raising funds for various organizations. Namely, The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Wreaths Across America, Honor Flight Network, Navy Seal Foundation, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Concerns of Police Survivors are a few.
Cheers to these heroes for a mission well done. Their servant’s hearts are making a difference daily in many ways. They encourage families to bring in pictures and patches of loved ones who have served or are currently serving.
It will warm your heart and quench your appetite when you support their mission. Well done, Mission BBQ.
Welcome aboard. Flight 2023 has a seat for you. Come travel with me as we take off into this new year.
Turn off all self-destructive devices. Put away hurt, despair, defeat, discouragement, and unbelief.
By the way, no baggage is allowed on this flight.
Prepare for your destination to GREATNESS.
Yes, you have greatness in you. If you didn’t know that or have not discovered it yet, then let me guide you on your journey. You will go places you never imagined.
Travel means many things. You can literally take a trip by car, plane, or train. Travel locally in your own backyard. Take a trip inside your imagination. Reading books, articles, and watching movies are forms of travel too. Have you ever immersed yourself in a story so deeply that you felt like you were actually there?
Travel is not just for fun and leisure; it is essential for mental wellness. It is transformational.
Psychology Today said, “Studies have found that people who engaged in more leisure activities reported more life satisfaction, fewer negative emotions and tend to be more spiritually connected.”
As an author, speaker, travel writer, and consultant, I am here to help you live the life you were born to live. What are your goals and dreams for 2023? Where do you want to go, and what would you like to accomplish?
One of my favorite trips in 2022 was on a writer’s retreat and press trip to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Kayaking wearing my Serengeti eyewear is my jam. I am excited about more travel this year. I am a travel writer and enjoy exploring new places and discovering stories.
Let me help you with your wellness and travel goals using The LORI Factor. It started with the book I wrote that is impacting lives. Beyond my book is how I am helping more people.
Message me or text “2023” (text only) to 1-844-394-4798.
Happy travels to you in all you do.