Leave Fear Behind

I am a huge New Year’s resolution gal and generally stick to them. This blog, for example, is a resolution I had a few years back, and with a bit of perseverance, I am still posting. Upon reflection, some of my resolutions become laborious as the year goes on, but sticking to them evolves into a habit that weaves into the fabric of my life. However, the base layer of what is me needs a resolution that is not task-oriented but involves a shift in mindset, with the hope of integrating the mindset into a large part of who I will become. Life is merely the blink of an eye; any emotional chains that weigh you down inhibit your ability to live genuinely. Moving forward from the constricts we put on ourselves allows us to feel a release of pressure. The steam from this emotional pressure cooker escapes, leaving room for a life full of happiness, free from worry and anxious thoughts.

At my core, I carry a fair amount of fear and can be crippled by the lack of uncertainty life brings. This does not mean I lack confidence or the ability to motivate myself. Instead, I do all these things with fear and uncertainty tucked in my back pocket. It could be a better place to be in my life, so my resolution for 2023 is to work on kicking out these house guests altogether. Fear and uncertainty show up as stress, making me second-guess my decisions and comparing myself to others. I accommodate other people rather than myself, ensuring they are comfortable and get what they need, at the expense of living my truth. Don’t rock the boat and try to smooth out whatever anyone is feeling, and then I can feel good about myself. I am working actively on changing these characteristics buried within me, and the strategies below are helping me get into new head space.

LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR BODY IS TELLING YOU

The strongest people ask for help or seek it within themselves. Acknowledging where you are getting tripped up in your life shows that you want to improve. The fear and uncertainty I experience are telling me something. Reflecting on where these intense emotions come from is the first step toward healing. Facing these issues head-on helps you to deal with them. For me, constantly reacting to an event or situation I feel I have to control is detrimental to my mental health. Facing them brings everything out in the open. As I worked through this process, I realized that fear and uncertainty were rearing their ugly heads and screaming at me – “we are here because you have to stop living a fear-based life.” It is like shoving my face right into the problem. I assign emojis for these feelings, gather them in my head, and throw them out the window. It is a great metaphor that works for me.

CHOOSE TO NOT GO THERE

Negative feelings and fear might never honestly go away, but you can choose not to go there. Recognizing and acknowledging these emotions does give them credibility but know you can shut that door in your mind space. Going there and giving these negative feelings credit is a downward spiral of second-guessing and doubt, allowing fear to thrive where it wants to be. The human psyche has a dark side that can attack your well-being. Just don’t do it. Pushing thoughts aside is difficult, but it gets easier once you get the knack for it.

HAVE A MANTRA

Not going there takes a lot of work. I recently received a journal from a dear friend titled “It Will All Be Okay.” Just reading those five words gives me peace. I find myself saying that when I am feeling overwhelmed. It’s a clear sign that you will be okay when looking for solutions, so be kind to yourself. Working on anxiety, stress, and fear takes a tremendous amount of energy, so give yourself space to do the work you need to do to find peace. Repeating, “It’s all going to be okay,” helps. A positive mantra always helps. A mantra is a great crutch to lean on so you don’t “go there.”

IT’S NOT YOUR PROBLEM

Trying to control how others feel is a form of hell no one wishes to be in. This act of wanting someone to feel a certain way about you or a situation you find yourself in is not the balm that will soothe your insecurity. It’s a maze with no way out. When you enter it, the more concerning thing about this situation is that it robs you of the now. All this is just nonsense. Just take care of yourself – that is all you need to do. If you need something, ask for it. Be okay with the answer, but ask for it anyway.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Years ago, I went to a psychiatrist to get a handle on certain things in my life, and I proceeded to sit in his office and cry for an hour. At the end of the session, I denied that I was fearful repeatedly, and he just looked at me and said – you’ve been crying for one hour – you need to work on this. I was in denial as I felt it made me weak. The doctor also told me that in a few years, I would hardly remember feeling as I do now. That statement gave me hope, and you know – he was right. I cannot conjure up that dark place as I did the work to get me here now. If it doesn’t serve you, try your damndest to lose it.

“If you live your life by fear, you will never fully know freedom or breakthrough

J.D. Fisher

An Apple A Day


Think of an apple and see where your mind goes. I automatically go to fall and Thanksgiving. Warm apple pie, caramel apples, apple crisp, bobbing for apples at Halloween, and apple picking conjure up pleasant memories. Fairytales come to mind when I think of the apple. Remember the evil queen giving the cursed apple to Snow White? What about Johnny Appleseed, the prolific nurseryman who planted acres of apple orchards along America’s western frontier? Apple expressions are abundant – “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and “you’re the apple of my eye” are frequently used. Isaac Newton asked why the apple fell from the tree and discovered Newton’s Law of Gravitation. How mind-blowing is this fruit?

I grew up hearing “an apple a day” keeps the doctor away. I always considered the expression a generality, similar to “you are what you eat.” Fruit is good for you, so be sure to eat some, whether it’s an apple or a blueberry. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a proverb advocating for the consumption of apples and the theory that if one eats healthy foods, one will remain in good health and will not need to see the doctor often. After my daughter told me she heard an apple is all you need in the morning – to wake up, nourish, and hydrate yourself, I became intrigued, so I started eating an apple a day. What did I find, and what have I learned?

The apple might be the perfect food. It does wake you up in the morning, especially if you need that sugar boost. Skip the protein bar when starting your day, and pick an apple instead. Apples can help you manage your blood sugar and lower your cholesterol. Apples have a low glycemic index and load, making them perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without soaring blood sugar.

Apples are an incredibly nutritious fruit that offers multiple health benefits. They’re rich in fiber and antioxidants. Eating them is linked to a lower risk of many chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Apples may also promote weight loss and improve gut and brain health.

Crunching on a whole apple is not my deal. I get the skin in my teeth and apple spray on my face – ruining my morning makeup. Using an apple slicer, divider, and corer is a must. Rinse your apple (I use Castille soap to wash my fruits and vegetables), place the slicer right over the apple stem, and lower it. Viola! If you don’t have time to eat the apple immediately and want to take the slices to work or in the car, create a water bath for your apple slices with a ratio of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of water. Soak the apple slices for 3 to 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them. This simple step should keep your apples from browning for several hours.

A medium apple dishes up an impressive 4 grams of fiber, mostly pectin, which is also known for its ability to lower cholesterol. But to get these benefits, you need to eat the apple, not drink it. Apple juice is similar to apple-flavored liquid sugar. Apples themselves are so juicy and hydrating.

October and November are the perfect months to buy fresh apples – they are in season and abundant. The apple-type choices can be overwhelming. It depends on your preference, but I’m not too fond of tart apples (green) or softer apples (Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala). Softer apples don’t stay crunchy for long and green apples are too sour for me. Because green apples have a higher concentration of malic acid than red apples, the flavor of green apples is sharper and sourer. Apple sampling took me a minute, but I landed on Honeycrisp. They are the most expensive apples (of course) because they cost more to produce. Honeycrisp is an apple cultivar developed at the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station’s Horticultural Research Center. The Honeycrisp has rapidly become a prized apple as its sweetness, firmness, and tartness make it an ideal apple for eating raw – not to mention that they are delicious!

If you are a beginner apple connoisseur, buy one apple of every brand. See what works best for your taste buds, and then dive in. Give apples a try once a day. There is no time like the present to develop good habits, especially as we head into the holidays. As someone who loves routine, my morning apple is like my morning coffee, a must-have. Crunch away and reap all the benefits the lovely apple has to offer.

Castile Soap

Castile soap is a versatile cleaner used in the kitchen, bathroom, and any place else you can think of. Using this one item, you can eliminate virtually all your cleaning products, which opens up space in your storage cabinets. Its plant-based ingredients are natural and made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.

I first read about Castile soap from a Martha Stewart magazine post (thanks, Martha – your tips come in handy). Having gotten into home remedies, I searched for a recipe to make homemade makeup brush cleaners. I used MAC makeup brush cleaner, and it was expensive. Martha’s recipe for a brush cleaner included Castile soap – the first I heard of it. I decided to give it a whirl.

I had never bought Castile soap before, so I went to Ace Hardware of all places and found plenty. Dr. Bronner’s pure-castile soap is available non-scented and scented (peppermint, almond, rose, etc.). Reading the uses for Castile soap on the label was a revelation as I realized this one product is all I need. After my oldest daughter chimed in with how they use the soap for all their laundry needs and to bathe their dog, I knew I’d found my forever cleaner.

Origins and Benefits

Castile soap is a highly effective and versatile cleaner made from vegetable oils. Castile soap is an olive oil-based soap made in a style similar to Spain’s Castile region. Production has evolved over the years to include other plant-based oils, such as coconut, palm kernel, hemp, and jojoba, so the soap remains free from animal fats, making it ideal for vegans. Not only is Castile soap an all-purpose cleaner – the benefits for skin are undeniable.

The appeal of castile soap lies in the fact that it cleans as effectively as many conventional, chemical-laden formulas, minus the environmental hazards. The soap is biodegradable and free from synthetic preservatives, detergents, and foaming agents. Castile soap is a good choice for anyone wishing to reduce their personal chemical burden or want to minimize children’s or pets’ exposure to harsh cleaning substances, castile soap is a good choice. The fact that it’s made entirely from vegetable oils rather than animal fats is attractive to vegan users. Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap containers are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. The applications for Castile soap are numerous.

Brush Cleaner

Castile soap is excellent for cleaning not just makeup brushes but paint brushes. The soap makes paint brush bristles softer and does wonders on those disgusting makeup brushes. Mix one tablespoon of liquid Castile soap and 1/2 tablespoon of oil (​jojoba​, ​coconut​, ​almond​, or ​grapeseed​ oil), and add warm water. I soak my brushes for about 10 minutes, working the bristles to get all the dirt and rinse under warm water. The brushes are so soft after cleaning.

Laundry

Its free-floating atoms attract dirt and allow the washing machine to rinse it away easily. This natural chemistry also makes Castile soap laundry detergent a good pre-treatment option for stains. This soap is especially great for people that have sensitive skin or are sensitive to scents. I use between 1/3 and 1/2 cups per load.

Pets


Castile soap is great for pets, especially if your pet has sensitive skin or is prone to being itchy. Be aware of where the suds are, and do your best to keep the soap out of your dog’s eyes. Wet your dog’s hair, and then add a squirt of liquid soap. After working it through your hand, the soap will develop a generous lather. Be sure to rinse your dog thoroughly.

Personal Care

Castile soap is excellent for skin and hair due to its gentle properties. Use it for removing makeup, body wash, shave oil, shampoo, and facial cleanser. Castile soap lathers beautifully, making it easy to apply. Also, using Castile soap for all your personal care needs eliminates all those jars and tubes in your bathroom cabinets.

These are just a few of the many uses of Castile soap – the list goes on and on:

Plant Care
All-purpose cleaner
Homemade baby wipes
Ant repellant
Toothpaste
Decongestant
Produce rinse

Go out and get yourself some Castile soap and marvel how much easier it makes your life.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Forrest Gump