This week I am at the same weight as I was on 12/20/17. I've been juggling a few pounds back and forth since then. I have my excuse as to WHY it has been that way...that whole grief thing...but I have no excuses to continue the emotional hand to mouth activity. 
 I actually started tracking my intake on my phone app again. I need the accountability, even if it's just my app telling me what to do!
​ I have been drinking more water, which is so hard for me. Adding some essential oils helps immensely! 
 Spring is officially here, even though it is still cold, but I am going to get out and do some focused walks. I'm downloading some good tunes to keep in step to! 
​ I have accepted that my original goal of 100# in a year has been stunted by my emotional winter mess, but I'm still here, and I'm going to get there!
​ Thanks for walking with me on my journey!
 

 This Tuesday’s investigative report is brought to you because this product used to be one of my favorites. It was what mom always bought for bathroom cleaning, and that was one of my chores, so naturally, I continued to use it into my adult years. It was always a “nose burner”...going back into the bathroom after I had sprayed it down and let it sit for a few minutes.  It works. It melts away the dirt and soap scum. But let’s see what’s in it  that makes that stuff melt, shall we?
 As before, I am repeating information here that I found on ewg.org (Environmental Working Group)
 As I discovered that Dawn has numerous variations of their product, Scrubbing Bubbles does also; 30 of them. I chose the one that I used; the original aerosol spray can. It’s overall grade is an “F”.
 There is moderate concern for asthma/respiratory issues (I refer back to my “nose burner” comment). There is some concern for: skin allergies and irritation, developmental and reproductive toxicity, cancer, and environment.
 The worst of the chemical in this product (with an “F” grade) is ALKYL DIMETHYL BENZYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDES . The Environmental Protection Agency says that “ this substance poses a high risk for human health”.
 The second toxic chemical listed is BUTOXYDIGLYCOL . It’s grade can be from “C” to “F” depending on the concentration used in a product. The EPA indicates that it’s an “F”...they say there is moderate concern for pulmonary function.
 There are other chemicals listed in Scrubbing Bubbles; Some with grades of “D”, and some with “C”.
 Back in the day, I sure didn’t think about what was contained in that aerosol cleaner that I loved so much. Today, I will never buy that stuff again.
 Of course, I’m going to tell you about the Young Living product I use to clean my bathroom. Thieves Household Cleaner. I love this product! Takes off the soap scum as well as the toxins did. It is way more cost effective than any toxic cleaners out there. I bought a large bottle over a year ago, and still have some left. Young Living has a full line of Thieves products. I would be glad to share a sample of anything I have with you to try! There is also a Thieves Kit you can purchase to get several of the products at a discounted price! Contact me any time to answer questions!

 Although I felt so recharged last week, this one has been rather "blah". Winter temps have prevailed, and I find it hard some days to be motivated. 
​ I did not do a 5 day nutritive cleanse as I had thought I would. I was even unmotivated on that plan! 
​ I am definitely looking forward to enjoying more Florida warmth and beach sitting in April. Some dear friends invited me to be the 5th wheel on their vacation...I am going with 2 couples. I will definitely not mind being their 5th wheel. They are fun! Plus, if I want to take off and do something alone, they still have each other! Ha!
 I am just super ready for spring. I want to get out and take walks without freezing. I want to garden. I want my perennials to return. Soon. This has been an emotionally rough winter in which I did not reach the goals I set for myself in the fall. Have to keep on keepin' on!
​ Have a great rest of your week! 

 Good day, my friends! While I was in Florida, I decided that 3 1/2 days was definitely not enough, so I extended that beautiful trip to 7 days. The weather was absolutely perfect all week. The ocean, sand and sea air soothed my soul. My dear friends, who love me and always make me feel special, soothed my heart. Thinking about God's love for me soothed my spirit. 
​ I enjoyed Cocoa Beach on 2 different days. One to swim and soak up the sun and breeze, and the other to relax on an upper deck and watch the rocket launch that happened at the space center down the shoreline.

The Dead and Company concert in Orlando was amazing (of course!), and I have some great stories from that day's adventure! I also got to see a local St. Cloud area band, "Slickwood", on another day. Very talented dudes! Check out their page here www.facebook.com/Slickwoodmusic ​, and if you are in Florida, go see them!
​ I enjoyed an afternoon outside on a deck at a marina on the lake, another afternoon on my friends' awesome front deck watching their granddaughters play, and another afternoon at another friend's mom's property on a lush golf course (and that friend's lovely townhouse). I did a lot of laughing last week!
​ My oils went with me, of course. I simply followed the procedure for liquids on the plane. The bottles are all small enough, and I fit a lot of them in the required quart bag. I put it in the tub that goes through the security scanner separately with my shoes, purse, etc, so they could see it, and no problem. I'm sure they are used to us oily people now! There are a lot of us!

 I'm recharged and renewed. I have to get busy so I can go on my next vacation! I'm about to do another 5 day nutritive cleanse to renew and reset my dietary intake! More on that when I get it going!