Day 24: Karyn Bray - Gratitude.

BIO
I am a woman who loves to laugh. I am a Messianic Jew.
I am Ryn's mother, Heathernycole's mom, Dyanna's mom, Cara's 2nd mom and Steve's wife.
I have survived the babies, the toddlers , the tweens, teens and young women age, with a lot of laughter and with all of my hair. I am a mother of four beautiful, talented, creative,

Godly women. I have three absolutely wonderful grandsons. One is adorable and young yet, the other two are amazing and they joined us this summer and I will be blessed next

summer with another grandchild.(I would say granddaughter, but we don't know yet).
I have taken and given classes on digitizing for years...I am quite talented at it and I love to do it. I am an avid reader... I really enjoy Hallmark movies(especially this time of year).

I have gone as far in college as possible with out more degrees in other subjects. I have studied natural health for years and am always studying and growing in this area. I am

earth mother to the world... I just heard that term and love it. I have been called 'mom' by more people than I could have possibly ever birthed.



GRATITUDE-The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Synonyms; gratefulness-thankfulness-thanks-appreciation
THANKFUL-Pleased and relieved;conscious of benefit received

This season, in particular, causes me to reflect on how thankful I am. Our family has been so very blessed...we have weathered storms but always have come out on top. The Blessing of God has moved us...moved us to victory every time.
I have learned, over the years, to be truly thankful, in every situation. This year I have come across many people whose lives are much more of a struggle than ours. That has put several things in perspective for me. Someone once told me that there would always be those with greater wealth and those with lesser wealth... define wealth. What is that old saying-- I was complaining about my shoes until I met a man with no feet...once again, perspective.
I used to see us/myself as the people in line for a miracle but I heard a teaching and it totally changed my perspective and my life. Jerry Savelle taught about the man with the pitcher in his hand and how to view yourself as the one with the pitcher. That changed me. Since then, I look for opportunities to be a blessing. Each year, God has given opportunities to me and my family to reach out and help, touch, contact and interact with needs... and each year grows better and better. My life is touched as I give and as I am thankful for the opportunities that come our way. I want to be the one with the pitcher.

I have learned, also, to be thankful, even when things aren't going well. Jer. 29:11 says that my Father knows the thoughts that He thinks toward me...thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope. He gives me a future and a hope!!!!!!!! How awesome is that???? I know my Father...I know He wants only good for me and mine...and you and yours. He is that good!!!! Find some basic truths in your life on which you can make your foundation. Always go back to that foundation when life acts up. It doesn't matter how basic the foundation...it is a foundation and will see you through. Several times in my life I have had to go back to the very basics of my life and dwell on those...meditating on the very primary beliefs of my heart. As I have intensely thought on those truths, I am able to ultimately build on those and then build back up.

I am so thankful for the life that God has given me: my amazing children that I can call friends. I have seen this amazing creativity pour out of them...they are so talented and giving. I see God work through my girls in such awesome ways...such talent, such gifts. Two of my girls married this year... fun, new lives! I am thankful for their wonderful men...good, Godly men, men able to stand and believe!!! Iprayed for these guys for years...I am so grateful that God answers prayer...I see those answers! I have a wonderful husband...a good man. I have seen God developing things in him this year...some of which I have waited for years. He is seeing new life and new desires in his heart...it's exciting to watch.
In every area develop a grateful heart...know that there are good things for you. Receive God as your Father, run to Him, let Him Bless you and touch your heart. He only has good for you and not evil.


I pray for each and every one of you reading this...that you, too, can find the things in your life to be thankful for. I know where everything that has blessed me come from. I pray you discover, know and appreciate all the wonder in your lives...not just this season but the entire year. Things to be thankful for: health, friends, wealth, shelter, abilities, children, work, ..................................possibilities. I believe you will have Wonderful Possibilites this year and you will have a hope and a wonderful future!!!!!

God Bless!
- Karyn aka Momma Bray

Day 23: Dyanna Groves - Give...Your Best!

My name is Dyanna and just happen to be the fabulous Ryn's sister. I recently married the man of my dreams and love of my life and have become a mother of two wonderful young men.
I have a super job doing what I love by serving God and helping people through television.

At this time of year when gift-giving and fellowshipping with family and friends abounds, it is vital to remember to give your best. When I say that, I don't mean maxing out your credit card or draining your bank account just to be sure everyone on your list gets the most wonderful (and most expensive) gift on their list. I mean to give your heart.

Give your heart in listening. Give your thought in choosing. Give a sweet word when your crazy cousin makes you want to strangle them. Give love instead of mediocrity. Give strength when the world is yelling for you to be passive. Give beyond what makes you feel comfortable - even if that means saying "Merry Christmas" with a smile to a stranger you pass. Give your time to someone in need. Give a hug to someone who is hurting.

Our Creator has placed inside of each of us the ability to sense and feel and to meet the needs of others. All we have to do is listen within. It's easy to be caught up in busyness with shopping and decorating and partying and all the hustle and bustle, but really just listen and give. Listen when you have that thought to do or say something nice. Reach beyond the norm and just give love. After all, haven't you been given the greatest love ever?!

 

I recently read Jesse Duplantis' book entitled "Heaven: Close Encounters of the God Kind." Let me tell you, if you haven't read it, you should. And if you have, may I suggest that you read it again. In it he talks about the experiences he has had in life that were undeniably encounters with God, the most significant of which being his trip to Heaven. Although hearing the description of Heaven is awe inspiring, that was not the greatest part. The best thing you learn is the wonderful, overflowing, ever-giving heart of God, the greatest Father ever. His very essence is light and love. He longs to give you more than you can ever imagine and your every heart's desire. He describes the look in Jesus' eyes as "pools of love." And it is that love that caused Jesus to come and pay for your sin and mine to rescue us from eternal torment, both here and in Hell. It is that love that has been placed inside of you, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. A verse in the Bible, Romans 5:5 reads "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (NLT)

You can find it: HERE

Now that says a lot! If God's love has been given to us, we can surely give it to others. So, let's do that! Let's give our best. Our best love, hug, time, listening ear, thoughts, prayers, kisses and smiles this year. And know that our best can be miraculous.

Merry Christmas! ~Dyanna

Day 21: Holly Isely - my favorite things

Hello all! Holly here and today I am going to talk about some of my favorite things! I am a lover of all things hair, make up, fashion, and art. That’s a pretty broad span of interests but I think they all correlate pretty well! Those things listed above, allow you to express yourself and who you are! Sure, we all do our hair and make up but we don’t all look the same and that’s what I like about it. It gives us an outlet for expression!
Growing up I was never really taught how to properly apply make up. I learned through trial and error based on what I’d seen in movies or on t.v. So, I guess you could say I “winged it” and I’m not talking about my eyeliner. I started wearing make up in the 9th grade, a.k.a “The Awkward Years” (Braces, slightly curly hair that needed to be tamed, you get the picture) and I knew the basics of where everything was supposed to go; Foundation = face, Blush = Cheeks, Mascara = Eyelashes, etc. But, somehow I was never able to achieve the looks I saw on t.v. or in the magazines.
After many years of hits and misses and a random search for “ How to get hair like Taylor Swift “ I stumbled upon what is now one of my favorite things, YouTube. You may be thinking, “YouTube?! How can you stumble upon YouTube? Haven’t you seen the multitude of laughing baby videos as well as the cat videos?!” If you’re thinking this, then you are right. I have seen those videos and was an avid user of YouTube. But, I was totally unaware that every day girls, just like me, were out there posting videos about the very things I was searching for - Skin care, hair, make up, fashion, and art!
Here are some of my favorite YouTube beauty guru’s (as they’re called in cyber-land!)
MakeupByTiffanyD
Tiffany is honestly one of my all-time favorite beauty guru’s! She is fun to watch and is very knowledgeable about products and has some great tips, I’m sure you’ll find helpful.
gossmakeupartist
He is a male make up artist that has some amazing tips and tricks for any and all
skin issues or make up questions you may have. He’s also very knowledgeable about what techniques work for different people.
amarixe
Allison is so much fun! I look forward to her videos - she’s got great energy and features a lot of both high end and low end beauty products. She also has amazing make up tutorials.
beautydepartment
Lauren Conrad (from the Hills and Laguna Beach) started a really fun website called thebeautydepartment this website features tons of tutorials for hair, make up, nails, etc.
missglamorazzi
Ingrid is another fun girl to watch! She’s got cute style and great hair + a fun personality! She does great reviews and tutorials.
CarahAmelie03
Carah is a hairstylist and make up artist. She’s got great tutorials and the cutest little girl.
emilynoel83
Emily is extremely well-spoken, she’s got such a fun personality and does amazing reviews. If I’m ever thinking about investing in a product, I always check to see if Emily has a review on that item.
LetsMakeitUp1
Kailey does some amazing hair tutorials. I’ve tried several of her hair ideas out and have enjoyed every one of them! She’s got a fun personality and is really easy to watch!
Ok, all you instagram fanatics!Earlier I mentioned liking art. One of my favorite things is typography! Since childhood I’ve enjoyed beautiful lettering and illustration. Below are a few of my favorite instagrammers!
@daniroxanne
Amazing illustration, typography and style
@zacharysmithh
Type and Graphic Design
@blushshop
Really pretty fashion posts
@annariflebond
She’s an amazing illustrator and painter. Her products can be found in places such as Anthropologie and Paper Source.
@theamyclarke
Amy’s an amazing make up artist and posts great pictorials.
I hope this helps you all in your hair and make up endeavors and inspires you to try something new! Have a blessed weekend and a Merry Christmas! -Holly

Day 20: Kari Newsom - The Art of Entertaining

 

Merry Christmas from the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado! This is Kari - a mother of two amazing children, married to my best friend for over 12 years and mom to a 20 year old pot-bellied pig and an 8 year old box turtle! I am a Certified Health and Nutrition Consultant as well as a Certified Personal Fitness Chef - with my next goal of becoming a Certified Labor Doula. I love life - all the big and exciting things and all the small and simple things. I have my own personal Martha Stewart living inside me that enjoys trying new crafts, projects and anything that requires time that I don’t actually have to be crafting! I am a ‘foodie’, so I spend much time in the kitchen experimenting and crafting new, tasty and satisfying foods that keep you healthy! I have two school aged children, so that means I wear about 37 hats on any given day: chauffeur (or more like taxi driver without the pay), maid, personal assistant, classroom parent, nurse, financial advisor and treasurer, chef - and the list goes on and on! I teach health classes and my husband and I are leaders in our church’s youth department (Jr and Sr High), so I am forced to remain young, vibrant and full of zeal on a daily basis and I love that!  I don’t like being cold, but I live in a state where we can have snowfall during 8 months out of the year - but it’s the most beautiful place a person can live year round - so I endure the cold, dream of oceans and palm trees and make it a point to ensure that I make each day count! I love Jesus and living out His purpose in my life. I’m slightly addicted to Pinterest, chocolate, baking, time spent with my family and teaching people about health! I make everything from scratch - literally! Toothpaste, deodorant, lotions, mayonnaise, barbeque sauce, ranch dressing, cereal, ice cream - like I said, everything. It’s a job hazard that I find slightly exhilarating!

{make your own tiered serving platter}

This truly is my most favorite celebratory season of the year. There’s just something about Christmastime that brings everything to life. The music, the decorations, the parties, the food - we all come alive and stop to take time to be nice to each other, spend time with one another and extend our hands to those in need. Even though many people have given way too the American way of celebrating holidays a.k.a non-productive busyness, purchasing carloads of junk and giving up Thanksgiving to stand in line to go shopping - at my house we do things differently! You will hardly ever find toys under our tree (the kids get plenty from other people), we buy or make personal and meaningful gifts instead and I can tell you the kids have never been disappointed. We decorate cookies together and watch Christmas movies as a family huddled together on the couch. Sledding and playing in the snow is popular with the kids and Daddy (while I stay in the warm house and make from scratch hot cocoa!) We also like to take time to spend time with the people we love and cherish! Nobody can deny that a huge part of this time of year is celebrations, parties and family get togethers!

Gathering with family and friends is a big thing during November and December and I’m all about celebrating. I enjoy going to them, but I absolutely enjoy hosting them. I probably got the entertaining bug from my mom who knows how to throw a good celebration. Never did a detail slip by her: the décor, ambiance, music, lighting, food…everything that can be recognized by the five physical senses were always taken care of. Those are the kind of gatherings I long for. Going to someone’s home (or wherever they have the event) and feeling like you walked into the first class dining room on the Titanic!

Have you ever been to an evening get-together where there’s only a bowl of chips thrown on the table, there’s a loud television in the background and all the overhead lights on in the house? Maybe you have, but you’ve never really noticed? These are the things that I stand out to me when I go somewhere for a party, because I truly believe there is an art to entertaining. I also believe that God has instilled the spirit of hospitality in people - if we would only tap into that part of us and do everything in the same manner Jesus would - the absolute best possible way!

I wanted to share some pointers on hosting a party at your home to make it a memorable one and an event that people keep talking about even long after it’s over! A few years ago my mother and I rented a room at the Hyatt and had a free afternoon for ladies and we taught on The Art of Entertaining. We went over everything from invitations, place settings, food displays and more. The women loved it and had a great time learning things they had never thought of before. Having people over to their home became fun and enjoyable! I’ll share a few of those things with you today.

 

 

THE WELCOME! When hosting a party of your own, remember that having people in your home is an honor and you should treat them like royalty! The invite will be the first impression of your celebration, so put some thought into this. Even if you go the Evite way - you can still make it personal and inviting. Make their first impression of your home {walking up to your door} a good one that can set the stage for the rest of the night. If your guests are tripping over a bunch of stuff thrown all over the porch or they’re wading through dead leaves on a dark porch - it’s not the best way to greet your company. Make sure the parking areas, driveways and walkways are all clear and well lit! Glass jar luminaries or solar lights are a great way to light a walking path. Once that front door opens they will be hit with one of three things: an inviting atmosphere, a sterile atmosphere or a chaotic atmosphere.  Let’s shoot for the first: an inviting atmosphere.

 

THE LIGHTING! Don’t turn on all your overhead lights and make your home feel like a hospital - fluorescent lights and fan lights will probably be too bright unless they are on a dimmer and are dimmed a bit. It’s not an office party - it’s a party in your home! Instead, turn on lamps, torchieres and dimmed recessed or track lighting. This will give it a warm, cozy and inviting feeling or mood - hence the term “mood lighting.” It definitely is more relaxing and can keep people from feeling anxious.

 

THE SOUNDS! Turn the TV off (unless of course they are there for a football game) - and keep it off for the night! This will ‘force’ people to interact - which is not a bad thing. In fact, we don’t do enough of it these days. Have music playing loud enough to hear it, but not so loud that you can’t hold a conversation without yelling or straining to hear. Make it background music - not front row concert seats. If it’s a Christmas party, put on a mix of Christmas music from Perry Como to Michael Buble to Charlie Brown’s Christmas. Your guests will enjoy it!

 

THE SCENTS! If you are not cooking or baking food - then you should have an oil diffuser or simmer pot going to have a pleasant scent throughout your house. When you get a house full of people - you never know what your house will end up smelling like - so take charge and create a pleasing scent for everyone there. Make it coincide with the time of year. This time of year {Christmas} people enjoy the scents of cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, ginger, pumpkin, pine, rosemary, etc. Our senses play a huge part in how we interpret a situation. Do all you can to make it pleasant for people. If you are baking or cooking - sometimes these will fill the house with a wonderful aroma and you won’t need extra scents.

 

 

THE DÉCOR! Now this doesn’t have to be extensive, but if it’s a celebration of a holiday or special occasion, try to have something up to represent that. Even if it’s topiaries on the food table or candles lit around the rooms you’ll be hanging out in. Christmas time can be easy since most have a tree and stockings - which provides great décor. Coupled with the dim lights and music - the décor will surely stand out! Photos albums are always popular - so setting a couple out for people to flip through is something you could do that serves as décor/accessories yet gives your guests something to do and talk about.

 

 

THE FOOD! Last, but not least, if you have invited people over for an evening or any time of day that will have them at your home for a few hours - have foods and drinks available! I have to say that it is a pet peeve of mine when you go to a party and there is nothing to drink and everyone has to grab chips out of one small bowl. I might be considered a party snob - but I guess I think we should all put more thought into how we treat everyone who walks through our door. I must be old fashioned like my grandparents. If you drop in, they’ll feed you even if you tell them you’re not hungry. Grandma will whip up something on the stove for you within five minutes. Nobody comes to their house and leaves with an empty stomach. In the same manner, we should have several options for our guests in case they do get a little hungry or they need something to drink. Let’s face it - entertaining usually centers around food, so keep that tradition alive. If it’s a cold night, along with appetizers, you can have a slow cooker with chili or chicken noodle soup on hand to warm your guests up! Those are both simple and easy. If you know of anyone with food allergies or intolerances, it is such a wonderful gesture to have something that they’ll be able to eat (nut-free desserts, grain-free dishes, gluten-free bread, etc.) Your guests will truly appreciate this gesture - and what better way to get conversations going - around the food table!

 

 

 

 

Want a quick peek at what I usually have out for snacks when people come over? Most people say I go overboard, but I’d rather have so much I can send everyone home with food, then to run out leaving people hungry. With that being said, buy some take home containers (you can even buy those cool Chinese take out boxes and send food home in style) so you aren’t sending home dishes with people that you may never get back.

I like to make sure I’m feeding my guests healthy foods, but they have to taste good too! I have learned to recreate traditional recipes for food and desserts with healthier options (organic, non-GMO, natural sweeteners, herbs and spices, from scratch ingredients and nixing any prepackaged or processed foods) and they always get rave reviews. It’s amazing how much people enjoy ‘real’ food! Instead of buying ranch dip and dressing and putting out bright orange colored chips, I’ll serve Tortilla Chips {non-GMO and organic) with homemade salsa and hummus or even whip up some herbed yogurt dip which tastes just like ranch dip. People always go wild over these. I also pop some organic white popcorn on the stove in some coconut oil and sea salt, then drizzle with some melted ‘real’ butter over the top - another snack that goes quickly. To take care of the ‘sweet’ tooth in some I’ll have several different indulgent desserts that are made with healthier ingredients that are still sure to please. I like to substitute toxic and harmful ingredients with healthy and nutritional ingredients. Now, I realize people wouldn’t look at any dessert as nutritional, but when using ‘real food’ ingredients, you’d be surprised at the benefits provided by them. A favorite I like to make is organic cookie bites dipped in dark chocolate, some infamous New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies {tweaked by me} and something that doesn’t contain chocolate, like blondies. I will always have some bowls of seasoned mixed nuts as well (raw, soaked, dehydrated and seasoned by me}. For drinks I make slow cooker cinnamon lattes (uh-mazing taste and smell), bottled spring water and sometimes a homemade punch that includes no juice concentrate, soda or sherbet! My buffet table is usually the highlight of the night and it’s where everyone gathers around and visits! I bring out my china (what better time to use it) and crystal glasses and everyone feels so pampered! That’s a wonderful feeling! If it’s a special, special occasion, I will have something small for everyone to take home. Sometimes I’ve given out loose leaf herbal tea mixes that I make, sugar body scrubs or little packages of the treats I served that night.

 

 

 

 

I promise you - entertaining can be fun and it can be a wonderful ministry to family and friends. It’s wonderful to be a blessing to those you love by treating them with worth during the Christmas and holiday season! Incorporating a welcoming home, healthy food and a joyous and contagious personality - people will love coming to your home! We are blessed to be a blessing and I intend to make my home a place of ministry.

In my opinion, this is the most wonderful time of the year! Merry Christmas from me to you! Take time to tap into your creativity and you can operate in the art of entertaining as well. The most important thing you should do everyday is make each day count! That’s one decision you will never regret!

In Joy,

xo Kari

 

You can also find me in these places:

Pinterest

Facebook

Twitter / Personal

Blog / {living.on.purpose THE BLOG}

Twitter / Living Strong Health and Wellness

Etsy Shop / Glowing Mama Skin Care Products

   

Day 19: Ryn Bray - Gift a wrappin'!

 Hey Y'all! It's Ryn Here! So I love giving gifts and pretty ones are the best to give & receive. And easier than you think to wrap & present cute decor on each package!!! Go look, I'll show you! 

 

So I was talking with my friend Holly and we both love to wrap gifts! So it only makes sense to do a blog post with ideas of how to gift wrap your gifts five days before Christmas!and since it's almost Christmas it's a must right?!!! To me a nicely wrapped gift is such a nice gesture! It says, I love you because I'm putting my time, effort & creativity into making Christmas extra special for you!

 

 Here are a few ideas I got off the ever so creative hub called: Pinterest : ) So now you have ideas of making your gifts prettier than just the paper!

 

 You don't have to spend oodles & gobs of moolah on decorations for your gifts either!  You can use: Velvet ribbon, Snowflake ornaments, ribbon, washi tape, string, craft paper, fabric, bandanas, hankies, tea towels, coffee filters, etc...

 

Isn't this the cutest? to use party streamer ribbon and a glittered snowflake ornament from walmart or target!

 I Love the this idea of using butcher string... Not used of course! but the red & white is simple yet perfect! I even love the little tree! So cute!

               Great idea, no? I love this ingenious idea, Using coffee filters to wrap a gift! So smart!

 I love all things glittered! and Having it wrapped around a box is perfection! another cute idea: glitter the top of a box and tie it with a simple bow : )

 Craft paper, butcher string & a rosemary wreath! So simple. So elegant!

 

 I love Love love this idea! With white craft paper, string an envelope & note card and a feather sooo cute!

                        Using strips of scrap fabric is genius! and the button is an added bonus!

                           Love the glittered clothes pin and lil' Christmas tree! So Precious!

                      Again. Love this idea! Love the glittered polka-dot graft paper! So amazing!

 Love this Idea of a pin wheel & newspaper! instead of a bow...

 

 I love deer. I get it from my mom, because she loves deer. But this would be icing on the cake for me! I love the washi tape and the stamps too! This stamps make it look like a package that came through the mail service.

 

                    Velvet ribbon is a nice touch & the stamped snowflakes are a wonderful addition.

                                                       I this whole array of packages! : )

                                                      Washi tape & string! 2 must-haves!

                                   Super cute flower, string and craft paper! Oh so Joyous!

Perfect. Pom-poms are my fave! Wide ribbon is a nice accent to a simple yet really cute idea of wrapping!

 

                                              Love the gold dots! and Leather tag! So chic!

             Pom-poms, you need to get some! or make some, use a four tonged fork, yarn and string!

                                   Fabric! Genius! No bow. no washi tape. no tape! Perfect!

Hankies and tea towels are perfect too! Because 1. it's green. 2. it's pretty & 3. it can be incorporated into the gift! 

                         The wooden snowflake & string... with the all-white package... Gorgeous!

                                      I love the melted wax... Kinda just seals the deal, right?

Different ways to tie your package with string! and add some colorful pom-poms too!

Love the newspaper! I have always love the idea to wrap you gifts in words... Old hymnal books, bibles, etc. are great!

                                  Gingham ribbon is great! and a twig of rosemary, So sweet!

                         Yarn, pom-poms, handmade pom poms, & felt bunting! So much fun!!!

                    Love all of what is going on! the tape measure, ugh! How awesome is that?!

                     Love the craft paper, sting, lace and white pen! so unique and wonderful!

I hope this ignites a creative fire inside of you to make your packages look pretty!

Merry Christmas! Love you!

Day 18: Savanna Millen - Savvy Tips & tricks for the holidays

Happy Holidays ladies (& gents),

my name is Savanna Christine (aka Savvy). I live in sunny
San Diego & am currently working at Anthropologie, as well
as, nannying lil munchkins. I am a follower of Christ, lover of
sunshine & the great outdoors, traveling & sight seeing, sipper
of coffee & tea, dark chocolate connoisseur, fashionista, &
business woman at heart.

 

savvy defined:
savvy is a verb meaning “to know or understand”. I love in
Ephesians 1 where Paul’s prayer is that we would have the eyes of
our heart flooded with light so we could know & understand what
is the immeasurable & unlimited & surpassing greatness of His
power in and for us who believe. I have always had a passion for
finding beauty and value in items by thinking of savvy ways to
repurpose them. This season my prayer is that people would know
& understand that they are beautiful, loved, valued, & the Lord
has a purpose for their lives!

savvy solutions:

Here are some savvy tips and tricks I thought I’d share to help
you save, organize, de-clutter, repurpose, and spice up your life
going into the New Year!

Whether you’re traveling or staying home for the holidays,
these are great tips for organizing your space to make life a lil
less cluttered.

- DIY buttons for earring holders - keeps the pairs
together ...traveling is better done in couples, think of Lewis &
Clark or Thelma & Louise, or in 3’s - the 3 wise men. :) Throw
them in a cute makeup bag or plastic baggy & voilà!

 

-DIY tictac bobby pin holder - keeps those lil guys all in one easy-to-
find spot in your purse, carry-on, gym bag, car, etc! My sister
(hairstylist) & I use multiple bobby pins daily & nothing is worse
than having hundreds but not being able to find one to pin back those
flyaways! Also - try revamping them by adding little gems, beads,
lace, or flowers with glue to make a glitzy holiday statement! Use
nail polish as an easy way to add a bit of color, as well.

 

- Cute Paper Towel holder as Bracelet stacker - this will make
accessorizing easier & clutter free as you stack bracelets to
visibly see every option you have!

- Toothbrush holder for Holiday decor - I thought of this idea a
while back & it’s a savvy way to display flowers or twigs on side
tables and counters! If you have one that’s plain - try spray
paint in gold, silver, or a cute color of choice that goes with your
theme this year!

savvy sipping & savings:

I LOVE my coffee & I also love all things spicy!

Here are ways to be savvy when it comes to sipping your holiday
beverage.

-DIY Spicy Hot Chocolate - add 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/3 tsp nutmeg, &
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper to 1/2 c cocoa & 1/2 c sugar; shake dry mix; add
to a hot cup of your fav Milk or Milk Substitute and enjoy!

-Try adding cayenne to your fav brownie recipe or popcorn for a spicy
twist. Spice has several health boosting benefits!!

Last but certainly not least...something about Starbucks just makes it feel like
Christmas! My go-to drink has been a cup of their black coffee with steamed soy & a
packet of honey. This not only saves the bank, it also saves hundreds of calories! But if
you have a latte you love - try subbing it for an Americano with steamed milk & a pump
or two of those Holiday Syrups. Again - save a couple bucks & hundreds of calories to
work towards that “New You, New Year” resolution!

 

I hope that these tips will be helpful in your everyday life. Let them spark inspiration to
be savvy, think outside the box, & find beauty and purpose in all things, just as Christ
does in us!

simply loved. simply valued. simply savvy.

 

xo

Day 17: Katelyn Kurth - Winterizing Your Immune System

Katelyn is passionate about helping others live well and enjoy their life by educating them on how to naturally take care of their bodies.

She loves being active - hiking, biking, and playing tennis are a few of her favorites - and she is quite the sports fan, which she attributes to growing up with three brothers. She also enjoys shopping and fashion. And her favorite place to be is tucked away in the mountains.

Winterizing Your Immune System
"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
These are a few of my favorite things!"

Winter is absolutely one of my favorite things! I enjoy cold weather and all the fun that
comes with it! On the other hand, winter can sometimes take a toll on your immune
system so in today's post we are going to talk about a few practical things you can do to
keep your immune system strong all through the winter months.

1. Strengthen Your Digestive System
Would you be surprised if I told you that having a strong digestive system could help
you avoid colds and flus this winter?
Shocking, but true. Digestion is the bodies first line of defense against these yucky
viruses that we come in contact with everyday.
Think about it. Viruses can enter the body in a number of ways....it can be on the foods
you eat, in the water you drink, or on your hands that touch your face throughout the
day, just to name a few of the avenues. But having a strong stomach will break down
these little guys before they can get distributed throughout your body.

How can you support your digestive system naturally? Try making this warm drink:
8oz hot water
2 tsp organic, raw apple cider vinegar (I recommend the brand Bragg's)
1-2 tsp raw honey
You can also try adding few drops of peppermint oil to your drinking water. Not only will
it aid digestion, it will also put you in a holly, jolly mood this Christmas season :)


2. Avoid Sugar
The next step to winterizing your immune system is to cut back on the sweets. Yes, I do
realize that the holidays are in full swing with Christmas parties, Christmas cookies, and
your grandmas famous pumpkin pie! But did you know that eating sugar will weaken
your immune system? And in a state of weakness is when the unfriendly viruses will
attack.

So, if you are cutting out sugar then it's always good to have a healthy alternative to
replace it with, which is why I recommend raw honey. You can substitute honey in
almost any recipe that calls for sugar, just cut the amount in half and your good to go.
1 c sugar = 1/2 c honey
It's very important that you buy raw, local honey. Most honey sold in stores is heated
and pasteurized. This processing destroys the enzymes and beneficial compounds
that make raw honey so nutritious. In its natural state, honey contains pollen, enzymes,
antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your health. In fact, people
have used raw local honey to treat allergies for years. It's also know to aid digestion and
treat upper respiratory infections.


3. Implement Immune Boosting Foods into your Diet
In no specific order, here are a few immune boosting foods to include in your holiday
cooking:
- Garlic
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Turmeric


4. Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night
We all need our beauty sleep, but who knew how important it was to our immune
system! While you are sleeping, your body is working; it's repairing and regenerating.
The production of certain hormones that are released when you sleep promote the
production of white blood cells know as macrophages and leukocytes, which are both
critical to a strong immune system.

Tips to a good night sleep:
- Keep your room as dark as possible

- Avoid checking your phone or looking at a tv or computer screen right before bed (the
light emitting from these displays is anything but restful)

- Eat a small portion of protein. Note the emphasis on small. I'm not a huge proponent
for eating late at night but it may be the thing you need if you normally find yourself
waking up. The protein will help stabilize your blood sugar so you can sleep straight
through till morning. Examples: 1 tablespoon of almond or peanut butter (check the
label and make sure it does not have any added sugar), handful of walnuts, slice of
hormone/nitrate free turkey meat, or 1/2 cup yogurt (again check the label for sugar)

- Read a good book


5. Decrease your stress level
Stress can decrease your white blood cell count and compromise your immunity. So
instead of getting wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this seasons, remember to
relax and enjoy your time with friends and family as we reflect on the greatest gift of all,
Jesus!

With love,
KK