Laughs, tears and lots of in between

Here we are…the end of another crazy year. A year that started out with some optimism but had lots of ups and downs along the way. Like any other year, I’ve been taking these last few days in December to reflect on it all and I’m choosing to end the year in gratitude, optimism and a plan for healing and growth.

(My daily affirmations from this app have helped to shape this thinking a lot!)

This year, I’ve continued to grow as a person, which has helped me in all of my roles…parent, Occupational Therapist, Personal Trainer and Health Coach. I’ve continued to develop tools to deal with what started as postpartum anxiety two years ago and developed into the anxieties and stress so many of us are dealing with in this pandemic. I’ve focused on healing and facilitating the healing of my students and clients…and I am grateful for what the very hard parts of life have taught me and continue to.

I am grateful for this healthy, strong, beautiful family of mine. My kids have learned to fight with each other, they have some pretty epic meltdowns and sometimes it feels like days are absolute chaos. But we are happy. Most nights, you can find us dancing around the kitchen to loud Disney music, snuggling with our favorite books and building LEGO’s…oh so many legos. When I am stressed or scared, I remember that this home and family Adam and I have built is strong, it’s safe, and it’s capable of holding up in the storms

I am grateful for my work and the chance it affords me to witness the resilience of children and families who have overcome so much. And truthfully, this pandemic has allowed me the opportunity to work with my student’s families much more closely, and see progress like I’ve never seen before.

And I am deeply grateful for the chance to help others find a path to wellness, through both training and my wellness store. Even during this historically stressful time, my clients are focusing on self-care and meeting wellness goals that once felt so out of reach.

And I am so, so, so grateful for community. Five years ago, I found a tribe of entrepreneurs in the wellness field and we have had the chance to lift each other up and make a huge impact on this world. 2022 will only get better and better for our group!!

And lastly, my friends and family. We’ve all had so many ups and downs this year, but knowing I have so many people to call at any time-the importance of that does not escape me, ever

Wishing you all peace, calm, strength, health and pure joy in 2022. Onward!!

xo,

Jess

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Healthy Holiday Gifts 🎁🎁🎁

Ok, I don’t know about you, but I still have a ways to go with my holiday shopping. As usual…

I have a huge family, but gift giving has gotten more manageable the last few years as we’ve transitioned to Secret Santa’s for the adults. Great, right?!!

BUT, now I have kids old enough to participate in allllll the activities. That means gifts for the soccer and gymnastics coaches, teachers, etc…

It’s easy to run to the local stores and pick up some inexpensive hand lotion, candles or chocolate to go with a gift card. But. I don’t know, I just can’t bring myself to do that this year.

If you follow me. You know my thoughts on wellness, and you know how strongly I believe that a lot of the toxins we expose ourselves to daily are wreaking havoc on our bodies. I’m no where near perfect, but I’m making a VERY focused effort to eliminate toxins in my life. Which is why I can’t just give gifts that are loaded with chemicals or unsafe ingredients to the important people in our lives either.

I’ve done a lot of research this year and have compiled a list of some solid gift ideas for everyone on my list- and hopefully yours too!

Clean coffee! ☕️ I’ve never been sad about a new cute mug and some good quality coffee to sip on these chilly mornings, and I know many people who have a bit of a coffee habit too. But, I know most coffee companies don’t test for mold and microbial activity, and I just don’t wanna mess around with that. So, I bring you my favorite coffee to give as a stocking stuffer and for all the hardworking teachers in our lives:

https://jessicatreadwell1.isagenix.com/en-us/shop/feel-better/isagenix-coffee?pid=d833a419410843478db8de9d561fcd3a

And, while we’re on the subject of my favorite beverages, let’s talk wine…

I’ve been SUPER impressed with these clean wines, which are free of loads of sugar, arsenic, glyphosate (aka Round Up), ferrocyanide and animal by products. Does it bother anyone else that that means most wines AREN’T free of those???

I’ve loved every bottle I’ve tried from here, and I think you will too. Great gift to bring to dinner/party hosts, gift for family and friends. Oh, and grab an extra bottle or two for yourself while you’re at it:

https://scoutandcellar.com/?u=sondieblackmon

Another favorite gift for anyone in your life who might be dealing with stress related health problems would be cbd. And again, quality here matters. I love the gummies but this holiday tincture pak looks like a great stocking stuffer or gift for a family member or friend: https://sarahmckinnon.greencompassglobal.com/product/125MGBSTRIOSET

Let’s be honest…delivery drivers are working hard this year. Last year, we decided to make a basket to leave outside the front door the last few weeks before the holidays, and I filled it with my favorite healthy crackers, protein bars and this incredible “functional beverage” to give our postal workers and delivery drivers as they worked tirelessly through the season. The basket was emptied daily and I happily replenished it, knowing I wasn’t just leaving them more unhealthy, processed snacks but was still leaving them something that tasted amazing and fueled them during these grueling days. Here’s a link to my favorite adaptogenic drink, great for your delivery drivers as well as the teachers and coaches on your list: https://jessicatreadwell1.isagenix.com/en-us/shop/feel-better/bea?pid=e422d75c30464bbe9ba4038a53ff0b5a

Have a girlfriend or coworker on your Secret Santa list this year?? I’ve always loved giving some fun hand lotions, makeup, etc…but recent news has me more than paranoid about the level of carcinogens in beauty products. I’ve made the switch to cleaner beauty, and can’t not share the love with those I love. This charcoal mask is incredible and I can’t think of one of my girlfriends who wouldn’t love it, but if that’s not for you, they have some really fun holiday sets:

https://www.beautycounter.com/crystalwilson?goto=/products/gifts

And finally, while we’re on the subject of cleaning up our products, I’ve recently been introduced to this company and am SUPER impressed. You can get some of the classic gift bundles here (think, candles and lotions) for teacher gifts or Secret Santa’s, and while you’re at it, stock up on some healthy personal care products or household cleaning supplies (the multipurpose cleaner is next on my list): http://www.purehaven.com/joyorpin

I’d love to hear what clean gifts you are buying this year too!!

Happy, happy holidays, friends!!