Sweet surrender…

Today I realized it has been over four months since I decided to respect and acknowledge my higher self, and what a lovely whirlwind it has been. This February I came to the conclusion that it was finally time to close the door on my four year long relationship, and open the door to the relationship with myself. Over the last year my inner being was stifled, and I tried so hard to convince myself that this unhappiness I felt had nothing to do with my significant other, but deep down I knew. I will spare you the dragged out story of our trials and tribulations, but I do want to leave you with this: Listen to your inner voice. Trust your gut feeling. Acknowledge that reoccurring thought or idea. Respect your intuition. After a year of doing my best to avoid confrontation with these repeating notions, I finally surrendered to them. Something finally clicked and I knew the only way I would discover the happiness I yearned for was if I stopped looking for it in someone else, and started looking for it in myself. It was incredibly difficult at first and I doubted the decision I had made, but before long things began to fall into place. And for the first time in a long time I felt happy and free and independent.

I suppose the moral of the story here is that there is beauty in surrender. For a long time I believed that surrender meant defeat or giving up, but true surrender is quite the opposite, and it wasn’t until my break up that I discovered this. When we truly surrender, we are giving in to our higher selves, to the love and light that fills us all. By surrendering we turn ourselves to the truth of our being, and that is a very powerful thing. So surrender, let it go. Trust that you know what is best for you. It may not be easy, but it is worth it.

Love, love, love…

~Amanda

Coconut Oil..

So lately I have been hearing a lot of buzz about the stuff and its seemingly endless uses (immune booster, anti aging benefits, moisturizing properties, the list goes on). So, my curiosity peaked and I had to give it a go. When I first purchased some, my intentions were to use it solely as a hair mask but once I had it, I did some more research and was amazed with all the things I learned! So I figured I’d spread the love with all y’all and share some DIY wisdom.

To start, coconut oil is a FANTASTIC moisturizer. It is easily absorbed into the skin and is packed with antioxidants (anti-aging!), not to mention it leaves you smelling like a tropical island cocktail, which I’m diggin on. I’ve been using it in place of my lotion when I hop out of the shower and it has made my skin incredibly soft! Its also antimicrobial, meaning it won’t clog your pores (so go ahead, slather it on that beautiful face too!) and it can even help heal minor cuts and scrapes. Its also an anti-inflammatory, so it can help reduce swelling (also rumored to help heal and relieve even the most wicked sunburn, which I will be testing myself this week once I am basking in the Florida/Alabama sunshine for Hangout Music Festival!) Anyway, its awesome for your skin, highly recommended. 

OH! and its a great substitute for shaving cream. Or mix in some brown sugar and make yourself a body scrub thats good enough to eat!

Continuing with all this moisture talk, coconut oil has many benefits for your hair as well. I’ve been using a coconut oil hair mask twice a week and it has been making my hair quite soft and silky. I have applied it to my hair a good three inches away from my roots (other wise all that heavy moisturizing tends to suck the volume right out of your hair), twist it up in a bun and cover with a shower cap, and blast some heat from my blowdryer (this opens the hair follicle so it really drinks in coconut goodness). I leave the mask on from 30 minutes to and hour (you can leave it in longer for more intense conditioning) and shampoo and condition as normal. And viola! Silky, luscious locks. Who doesn’t love that? Also, on days your hair is feelin a little crispy or frizzy, rub a small amount on the ends to tame the mane! Helps heal those split ends too.

Now for the internal stuff. Coconut oil is known to aid in digestion, boost our energy and immune system, and stimulate our metabolism! Its also a powerful virus-destroyer and antibiotic, so if your feelin a cold comin on, reach for the coconut oil (mix equal parts honey and raw coconut oil with some cinnamon to kick your immune system into gear). Coconut oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil, margarine, or butter in just about any recipe and its health benefits are definitely worth the switch. The flavor is light and mellow, so you’ll probably hardly recognize a difference. 

So, give coconut oil a go! There are truly endless possibilities and if you have any coco wisdom, please share…

~Amanda

A new beginning

Today I have decided to give my blog a fresh start. I hope you all enjoy what I have in store.

Love, love, love.

Amanda