Energize Your Mornings with Simple Habits That Support Balance
How you start your morning truly sets the tone for the entire day. Before the emails, errands, and responsibilities begin, those first few moments can either leave you feeling rushed—or grounded and energized.
The good news? You don’t need an elaborate routine to feel better. A few small, intentional morning habits can help you feel more energized, focused, and balanced throughout the day.
Why a Consistent Morning Routine Matters
Creating a consistent morning routine supports your body’s natural rhythms. When you wake up with intention, you’re more likely to experience steady energy, improved focus, and a more balanced mood as the day unfolds.
Rather than relying on quick fixes, simple daily habits help your body wake up naturally and set a calm, confident pace for the hours ahead.
Start Your Morning with Hydration
One of the easiest ways to support morning energy is hydration. After hours of sleep, your body is ready for replenishment.
Morning Hydration Support
NingXia Red®
Drinking 1–2 ounces in the morning is a simple way to nourish your body right away. It’s packed with nutrient-rich ingredients and antioxidants that support overall wellness and natural energy—without the crash.
Drinking 1–2 ounces in the morning is a simple way to nourish your body right away. It’s packed with nutrient-rich ingredients and antioxidants that support overall wellness and natural energy—without the crash.
Many people love adding this step to their routine before coffee or breakfast as a gentle way to wake up from the inside out.
Support Natural Energy with Essential Oils
Essential oils can be a powerful addition to your morning ritual, especially when your goal is balance rather than burnout.
Morning Oil Ritual
EndoFlex™ Essential Oil Blend
This blend is often used to support natural energy balance. Apply it over the lower back or inhale it in the morning to help your body ease into the day feeling supported and steady.
This blend is often used to support natural energy balance. Apply it over the lower back or inhale it in the morning to help your body ease into the day feeling supported and steady.
It’s a simple habit that pairs beautifully with quiet time, stretching, journaling, or even getting ready for the day.
Fuel Your Body, Set Your Intentions
When you fuel your body with nutrient-rich support and begin your day with mindful intention, you create sustainable energy—not just for the morning, but for the whole day.
Why We Love These Morning Staples
- NingXia Red® supports whole-body wellness and daily vitality
- EndoFlex™ is a go-to for balance and steady energy throughout the day
Small habits done consistently can lead to big shifts over time.
Create a Morning That Works for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all morning routine. The key is choosing habits that feel supportive, realistic, and life-giving for you.
✨ What’s your favorite way to start your day on the right foot?
Wishing you a strong, balanced, and energized start to every morning.
A Better Way to Start the New Year
Well, here we are again—standing at the beginning of another year with a hopeful list of ways to improve ourselves over the next twelve months. No matter what year you’re reading this, the same familiar mantra rings true.
A slimmer waist. A healthier bank account. A cleaner house. Better relationships.
That list often ends up taped to the mirror, quietly watching us morning and night as we promise ourselves that this will be the year everything finally changes.
When Good Intentions Turn Into Quiet Guilt
If history has taught us anything, it’s this: the friendly, optimistic list doesn’t stay friendly for long.
Within weeks, it often transforms into a mocking reminder of unmet expectations—another year, another set of goals left unfinished. The cycle repeats, and discouragement settles in.
It’s almost part of the tradition.
We set our goals impossibly high… and our hope quietly slips lower with each passing week.
Depressing, isn’t it?
Why Do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?
Have you ever stopped to really ask why?
Why do we feel such a strong need to change? Why do we struggle to follow through? Why do we trip over the same goals year after year, bruising our pride every single time?
I’ve asked those questions—and I believe the answer is simpler than we want it to be.
The Deeper Longing Behind Every Resolution
Inside each of us lives a desire for more. More peace. More joy. More fulfillment.
We convince ourselves that if we just lose the weight, earn more money, keep a cleaner home, or fix our relationships, that aching emptiness inside will finally be satisfied.
But it doesn’t work that way.
True peace is not found at the finish line of completed goals.
Peace Is Found in a Person, Not a Goal
Lasting change—real, sustainable change—doesn’t come from checking boxes on a resolution list. It comes from transformation on the inside.
That transformation is found in a Person, not a plan.
He came thousands of years ago and still lives today, patiently waiting for us to ask for His help. He knows our nature. He understands our pain. And He alone can change us from the inside out.
Why Achievements Alone Don’t Bring Contentment
Talk to someone who has accomplished every single New Year’s resolution they ever set. Ask them honestly whether those achievements brought lasting peace.
If they tell the truth, you’ll hear the same answer echoed again and again:
The emptiness was still there.
Because peace doesn’t come from achievement—it comes from alignment.
A Different Approach to the New Year
Before you make your list of resolutions this year, pause.
Sit down.
Have a conversation with your Creator.
Ask Him for help. Ask Him to change you from the inside out. Ask Him to break the chains that have kept you stuck in the same cycles year after year.
And be prepared—because with that surrender often comes a freedom you’ve never experienced before.
So… What Will Your List Look Like This Year?
Maybe this year isn’t about longer lists or stricter rules.
Maybe it’s about trust.
Maybe it’s about letting go of resolutions and choosing relationship instead.
I’d truly love to know—what will your list look like this year?
How to Beat Dry, Scaly Skin All Season
I’m actually an alligator.
Okay… not really—but that’s exactly how my skin feels in the winter if I skip my hydration routine. If you just nodded along because dry, tight, flaky skin is your seasonal struggle too, you’re in the right place.
Winter skin care requires a little extra intention. Cold air outside, dry heat inside, and less humidity overall can seriously disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier. The good news? With a few simple habits and the right nourishing products, you can keep your skin soft, glowing, and comfortable all season long.
Why Winter Hydration Is So Important
Hydration isn’t just a summer thing—it’s essential year-round. In winter, your skin loses moisture faster, which can lead to dryness, irritation, and that alligator-skin feeling we all want to avoid.
True hydration starts from the inside out and is supported by what you put on your skin.
Hydrate From the Inside Out
Before we even talk skincare, let’s start with the basics:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Add healthy fats to your diet (think avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds)
These simple habits help support your skin’s natural moisture balance and elasticity.
Protect Your Skin’s Moisture Barrier
Once your body is hydrated internally, pairing that with nourishing skincare is key. Winter is all about locking moisture in and protecting your skin from the elements.
Here are my tried-and-true winter skin hydration favorites.
Rose Ointment for Deep Winter Hydration
I love this stuff.
Rose Ointment is my go-to for dry hands, elbows, heels, and any area that needs extra love. It’s rich, nourishing, and creates a beautiful protective barrier over the skin.
Why We Love Rose Ointment
- Packed with hydrating ingredients like rose essential oil and vitamin E
- Helps soften, soothe, and protect dry skin
- Seals in moisture and shields skin from harsh winter air
Apply as needed, especially before bed or heading outdoors.
Myrrh Essential Oil: An Ancient Winter Skincare Secret
Myrrh essential oil has been used for centuries to support healthy, glowing skin—and for good reason. It’s especially helpful during winter months when skin needs extra protection.
How to Use Myrrh Essential Oil
- Mix one drop with your moisturizer for added hydration and barrier support
- Ideal for dry, stressed, or mature skin
⚠️ Important tip: Myrrh is a very thick essential oil. Once you remove the cap, saturate the inside of the cap with olive oil or coconut oil before putting it back on—or you may not get it off again! Trust me on this one.
Beauty Glow: My Not-So-Secret Beauty Secret
This one’s a favorite—and maybe a little magic.
Beauty Glow is something I use consistently, and I truly believe it plays a big role when people compliment my skin. I apply it to my face and neck before bed, and it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and hydrated by morning.
Why Beauty Glow Works So Well
- Lightweight and silky (no heavy cream feeling)
- Deeply moisturizing without clogging pores
- Feels like liquid silk on the skin
It’s gentle, luxurious, and perfect for nightly winter skin care.
Simple Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
To recap, here’s how I keep my skin happy during the colder months:
- Hydrate well and eat healthy fats daily
- Use Rose Ointment on extra-dry areas
- Add Myrrh essential oil to moisturizer for barrier support
- Apply Beauty Glow to face and neck before bed
Consistency makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Feel Like an Alligator
Winter can be tough on skin—but dry, uncomfortable skin doesn’t have to be part of the season. A few intentional hydration habits and nourishing products can help restore balance, softness, and glow.
✨ How do you keep your skin hydrated in the winter?
Wishing you a hydrated, healthy, and glowing season,
Terri
Why Sugar Sabotages Your Immune System (and What to Do Instead)
’Tis the season for that aching, scratchy, sandpaper-feeling throat. You know the one—it sneaks up right after an office party, holiday gathering, or birthday celebration.
And the first thought is usually:
“Someone must have brought a bug.”
“Someone must have brought a bug.”
But here’s the surprising truth: it’s often not the germs—it’s the sugar.
Why Does a Sore Throat Show Up After Parties?
Holiday treats, desserts, sweetened coffees, and sodas may feel harmless, but they can temporarily weaken your immune defenses.
What Studies Show About Sugar and Immunity
Consuming about 100 grams of sugar—roughly:
- 1 can of soda + a cookie
- OR a large sweetened coffee + dessert
…can reduce white blood cell (neutrophil) activity by up to 40%.
Even more concerning?
That immune suppression can last 2–5 hours after consumption.
That immune suppression can last 2–5 hours after consumption.
That’s a big window of opportunity for irritation, inflammation, and discomfort to take hold.
My Personal Wake-Up Call With Sugar
When I was a young mom, I noticed something strange: I’d run a fever after every one of my kids’ birthday parties. ☠️
The cake was the only time I indulged heavily in sugar—and my body simply wasn’t strong enough to handle that immune dip. While my defenses were lowered, my environment stayed the same… and my body paid the price.
For me, eating birthday cake was a recipe for physical disaster. I wasn’t healthy enough to lower my immune system—period.
Today’s Simple Immune-Smart Tips ✔️
You don’t have to skip every celebration—just be wiser about how you support your body.
✔️ Eat Protein Before Dessert
Protein helps slow sugar absorption and gives your immune system more stability before the sweet hit.
✔️ Support Your Throat Early
If you’re in “sandpaper throat season,” don’t wait until it’s miserable.
- Thieves® Lozenges – Use daily during sick season for immune-supportive comfort.
- Thieves® Cough Drops – Reach for these when your throat already hurts. They contain menthol for that cooling, numbing relief.
✔️ Dress Up Your Coffee
Drop a Thieves Lozenge right into your coffee or tea.
It’s surprisingly delicious—and you still get the soothing benefits.
It’s surprisingly delicious—and you still get the soothing benefits.
How to Use Thieves® Lozenges & Cough Drops
- Thieves Lozenges:
Suck on throughout the day during seasonal challenges for immune-supportive comfort. - Thieves Cough Drops:
Use liberally when your throat feels raw or irritated.
Menthol cools on contact while the Thieves essential oil blend provides comforting support.
Why We Love Thieves® Cough Drops & Lozenges
Fast Throat Soothing
Menthol cools irritation on contact, bringing quick relief to scratchy, raw throats.
Supports the Body—Not Against It
Cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus radiata, peppermint, lemon, and rosemary oils offer comforting, cleansing support—without harsh chemicals.
Gently Coats the Throat
Pectin forms a soothing barrier, giving irritated tissues time to rest and recover.
Helps You Breathe Easier 🙌🏼
Peppermint and eucalyptus support open airways, especially helpful during congestion or nighttime discomfort.
No “Medicine” Taste or Sugar Crash
Clean, pleasant flavor—no artificial burn or sticky aftertaste.
Family-Friendly Wellness
Gentle enough for kids, effective enough for adults.
Simple, Everyday Support
No measuring. No mess. Just wise, easy comfort when your throat needs help. ✨
Final Thought: Support Before You Suppress
Sugar lowers your immune defenses—but simple habits can help offset the impact. Eat protein first. Be proactive with throat support. And give your body what it needs before irritation sets in.
What’s your go-to immune-boosting habit?
Stay well and thrive this winter,
Terri ❄️✨
Terri ❄️✨
Christmas is more than a moment—it’s a message. In Luke 2:11, the angel tells us who Jesus is in three simple titles: Savior, Christ, and Lord. Those words invite us not just to celebrate His birth, but to consider what they mean for our lives.
Luke 2:11 says: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
We are given three titles that summarize who Jesus is.
First, Jesus is our Savior. That word means rescuer. We don’t just need advice or inspiration—we need saving. According to the Bible, we are not the hero—we are the damsel in distress! We need someone to save us. The Bible says our sin separates us from God, but Jesus came to rescue us by living a perfect life and giving His life on the cross in our place. He saves us from guilt, shame, and judgment.
Second, He is the Christ. Christ means the Anointed One, the promised King God had been sending prophets to talk about for centuries. Jesus isn’t an accident of history—He’s the fulfillment of God’s plan to restore what sin broke. He is the promised Messiah.
Third, He is the Lord. That means Jesus isn’t just someone to admire—He’s someone to trust and follow. Lord means authority, ownership, and allegiance.
Most people like the idea that Jesus is Savior and Christ, but few accept Him as Lord.
Jesus cannot be divided up into pieces. The Bible is clear that He comes as all three or not at all.
So the good news of Christmas is this: the Savior has come, the promised King has arrived, and the true Lord calls you today to repent, believe, and receive the gift of eternal life.
Will you answer His call?
By Justin Tubbs
Dark Days = Dark Mood? You’re Not Alone, Friend
When the days get shorter, it can feel like we’re handed an official permission slip to change into pajamas at 5 PM—and honestly, I don’t hate it. I really don’t. Slower evenings can be a gift.
But let’s be real: the lack of sunlight can quietly tinker with our moods, energy, and motivation—especially for those of us who are more creatively wired. If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.
Over the years, I’ve learned to build in a few simple, intentional habits that help keep my family (and myself) from slipping into the winter blues.
Why Shorter Days Affect Our Mood
Sunlight is free, powerful, and one of the most natural mood boosters we have. It helps regulate:
- Sleep cycles
- Mood and emotional balance
- Vitamin D production
When daylight hours decrease, our bodies don’t automatically adjust—we have to step in and support them on purpose.
1. Get Outside During Peak Daylight Hours
Even in winter, sunlight matters. Make it a goal to step outside during the brightest part of the day, even if it’s just for a short walk or a few minutes on the porch.
Fresh air + natural light can make a noticeable difference in energy and mindset.
2. Boost Your Mood With Orange Essential Oil
Diffusing Orange essential oil is one of my favorite winter mood hacks. If you’ve never experienced how citrus oils can shift your mental state, consider this your invitation.
Here’s your challenge: grab some Orange essential oil, turn on your diffuser, and sit nearby while it’s going. You may be surprised how quickly your mood lifts.
I also love adding Orange oil to my household cleaner so I can smell it while I clean—instant sunshine vibes.
3. Support Your Body With Vitamin D
Vitamin D isn’t optional—it’s essential, especially during darker months. It plays a major role in regulating:
- Mood and serotonin levels
- Immune function
- Calcium absorption and bone health
- Muscle strength
- Inflammation response
Taking a high-quality Vitamin D supplement daily can help support your body when sunlight exposure is limited.
4. Nourish Your Body With NingXia Red
NingXia Red is one of my go-to winter staples. It’s a whole-body supplement that:
- Supports natural energy levels
- Helps balance blood sugar
- Delivers antioxidants and nutrients directly to your cells
Yes—it’s absolutely a mood booster.
During winter months, I increase my intake. The minimum is one ounce a day, but some days I drink more. Consistency is key to seeing results.
My Simple Winter Wellness Essentials
Here’s what I personally focus on during the darker months:
- Super Vitamin D – Taken daily to support immune health, hormone balance, and strong bones.
- Orange Essential Oil – Diffused or inhaled directly for an instant mood lift (it’s basically like sniffing sunshine).
- NingXia Red – Drunk daily for natural energy and full-body support.
A Gentle Reminder for the Winter Season
Winter doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—it simply means your body needs a little extra care. With a few intentional habits, you can support your mood, energy, and overall well-being, even when the days feel dark.
Give yourself grace, soak up every bit of light you can, and don’t be afraid to lean into simple supports that help you feel your best.
You’re doing better than you think.
Salt + Essential Oil Body Scrub
Every winter my skin decides to default to the alligator skin look. The moment the heater kicks on, my arms and legs get dry - so if I’m not intentional, I start looking a little… flaky. - NOT the look I'm going for! So this time of year I always give my skin a little extra TLC. A simple salt scrub has become one of my winter rituals—Keep a jar right by the shower for quick use. It takes maybe 30 seconds to use, but it makes such a difference. My skin feels soft again instead of tight and thirsty, and honestly, the little burst of essential oils makes me feel pampered before the day even starts.
Why Use a Salt Scrub?
Salt scrubs are beloved for their ability to exfoliate, polish, and refresh the skin. Fine sea salt gently removes dead skin cells, while your carrier oil leaves behind a silky finish that absorbs quickly. With the right essential oils, you can also create an aroma that feels like your very own spa moment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup fine sea salt
(Fine grain is gentler; coarse salt creates a stronger exfoliation. You can also mix half-and-half.) - ½ cup carrier oil
Great options: fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil.
Essential Oil Options (10–20 drops total)
Here are some beautiful blends to choose from:
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil (extends freshness + nourishes the skin)
- 1–2 teaspoons dried petals (rose or lavender) for a pretty finish
How to Make Your Salt Scrub
- Combine the salt and carrier oil in a glass bowl.
- Stir until you reach a wet-sand texture.
- Add more oil for a silkier scrub.
- Add less if you prefer it on the dry side.
- Add your essential oils.
Start with 10 drops, smell, and increase up to 20 drops. - Stir in vitamin E oil or dried petals if using.
- Transfer to an airtight glass jar and label with the blend name and date.
Shelf life: 1–3 months depending on your ingredients.
How to Use Your Salt Scrub
- Apply a small scoop to damp skin in the shower.
- Massage using circular motions, especially on dry areas like elbows, calves, and arms.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry—let the oils naturally absorb into your skin.
- Avoid exfoliating right after shaving, since salt may sting.
Use 1–3 times a week depending on your skin’s needs.
Final Tip
Make a double batch and create two jars with different essential oil blends—one for peaceful evenings and one for uplifting mornings. These also make wonderful handmade gifts!
How to Protect Your Peace and Your Wallet This Holiday Season
Christmas is quickly approaching, and with the spending frenzy beginning right after Thanksgiving, let’s pause and think about what really matters. This season can be joyful, meaningful, and peaceful — but only if we enter it intentionally, not stressed and slipping into debt like the scenario below.
When Christmas Spending Steals the Joy
She unloads her basket onto the countertop as the cashier begins ringing up a pile of gift items. A knot the size of a cantaloupe sits like a boulder in the pit of her stomach. The sweaty palms of her nervous hands make it hard to find her credit card as she watches the number on the cash register escalate with each item.
I hate Christmas!
The thought startles her, and she silently rebukes herself for such sacrilegiousness. Of course she doesn't hate Christmas — it’s the pressure.
It’s too much this year.
My kids need clothes, my car needs an oil change, rent is due, and I’m buying things I can’t afford, she reproaches herself.
There never seems to be enough money to do everything I want to do. How do other families provide such nice Christmases for their kids? I don’t want my children to feel cheated.
She justifies the purchases that sink her further into debt — all in the name of keeping up with the Joneses.
Overspending Is Not the Gift We Think It Is
Christmas is certainly a time to celebrate BIG, but we actually do our kids a disservice when we go beyond our means and act like it’s normal. We unintentionally teach them to live a life enslaved to credit card debt by modeling it ourselves.
Instead, create repeatable, affordable traditions your kids can carry into adulthood — traditions rooted in peace and presence, not pressure and debt.
If a few small items tucked into stockings are all your family can afford, it’s truly okay. Your children will respect you far more for providing a stable, grounded home than a stressed-out atmosphere driven by interest rates and rising balances.
Simple Traditions Create the Best Memories
With intentional effort, you can create a festive, joy-filled atmosphere in your home. It starts with something beautifully simple:
A smile on your face and a song in your heart.
It may sound silly, but children genuinely crave happy, playful parents more than anything wrapped in shiny paper. That is a free gift they’ll remember forever.
Here are easy, cost-free or low-cost traditions that bring warmth and connection:
- Keep Christmas music playing throughout the season
- Bake banana bread, sugar cookies, and simple treats with your kids
- Choose one night every week in December for family game night
- Attend a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service together
These small rhythms build anticipation, nurture belonging, and weave meaning into the season — all without straining your finances.
Celebrate Within Your Means
Christmas should be a delight, not a burden. Give yourself and your family the gift of a peaceful home by choosing to celebrate within your God-given means.
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, remember to plan with wisdom, clarity, and intention. Your joy, your peace, and your financial stability are far too valuable to sacrifice for a fleeting moment of holiday pressure.
Remember: Celebrate wholeheartedly — and wisely — this Christmas season.
