There are tons of things we can do at home – from facial masks to pedicures to hair fixes and everything in between! My latest love is this 40 Cent Gelatin Hair Fix. I first decided to try it after I heard about on a segment of The Doctors when I happened to be flipping through the channels, and saw Kathy Ireland with her thick, flowing, gorgeous hair talking about gelatin. She said she used gelatin hair treatments, and the female doctor on the show said it made medical sense because of its “protein building properties”. You can read my original post about this amazing discovery here.

So, if you want to try the treatment, it will cost just 40 cents are the results are UNBELIEVABLE!

Here’s What You Need:
* Non-Flavored Gelatin
* Pot to boil water
* Water
* Conditioner
* Clarifying Shampoo
* Saran Wrap

Let’s Make the Treatment:
Boil some water, and dissolve the gelatin. Next mix well with your conditioner in a bowl. Set aside. Give your hair a nice, clarifying shampoo – 2 if you use hair product regularly. The mixture will be thickened by the time you are finished washing. Take time to cover every strand of your hair with the gelatin mixture. Then cover your head with saran wrap. Leave on for 25-30 minutes and rinse well.

Your hair will feel softer and shinier than ever!!

For a Regular Weekly Spa-at-Home…
Set yourself up for a spa-at-home so you can indulge anytime without breaking the bank!  Make it your regular Saturday morning ritual.

Here’s what you need to set the mood:
* White Terry or Waffle Spa Robe (try TJ Maxx’s or Marshalls for a super deal!)
* White Terry Headband (you may luck out and find a set with robe, slippers, and headband)
* Comfy, Cozy Slippers
* Your Favorite Candles (I suggest Vanilla Sugar or Lemongrass)
* White Terry Washcloths (rolled for an authentic spa feel)
* Herbal Tea (in a beautiful mug)
* Large Container
* Magazines or Other Reading Materials
* Serene Music

You can usually find these items in places like Target or Home Goods. I suggest you purchase your ‘spa at home’ essentials, and leave them in a large wicker basket. Only pull them out when you are planning a spa at home day for yourself. If you use them all the time, they become familiar and ‘lose their luster’ so to speak!

Saturday Play: How to Create a Spa-at-Home is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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I have 2 children- LuLu and the Little Man. They are precious- they have imaginations that run wild. We play, we hop around the house like frogs, we imagine a cafe in our backyard where we hold socials for all of our imaginary friends. I could never look at my children and attach their worth to anything.

Why is it so difficult to look in the mirror and do the same thing for ourselves?

We are all worthy.

No strings attached.

You are worthy.

I know this a hard concept to grasp, because we constantly attach strings to our worth. It is very common in society to attach a person’s “worth” to something – an experience, a situation, an outcome. Of course, when we say the words, it sounds ludicrous. But, I distinctly remember (unknowingly) doing this, and I often hear from clients (also many completely unaware) that are attaching their worth to people or things:

* the number on the scale

* the amount of money in the bank account

* the number of clients on the roster

* the way a person looks at them- whether a smile or scowl

…all of these “things” can affect our worth, which in turn affects everything else. Whether a mom is so wrapped up in her children that every last ounce of her worth is tied only to them, or a woman who is so career driven that she never sees family and holidays pass her by, or the juggling working mom who ties her worth to perfection so much that when a ball drops she runs for medicinal help or chocolate…self-worth can be a tangled mess when you attach strings to it.

Here are some questions to consider:

What happens when my children grow up?

Who am I if I lose my job?

What if my business fails?

What if I am not the size I was in college?

Am I not worthy?

Of course you are! Our essence, who we are each born to be, is not attached to any “thing”. No matter what situation life or experience throws at us, no matter what test we are given, we still are worthy. Even when we don’t feel like it, even when we want to crawl in a cave and hibernate, we are each whole, complete, capable, resourceful, talented people. But often, that picture gets muddled in the wake left behind by life’s experiences.

Let Experience Fuel and Teach

Experiences can be beyond our control. It’s hard to separate ourselves from the experience and not somewhat attach our worth to it. But we must. Experience can be used to fuel a fire for the greater good, to teach yourself something, or to teach others. Of course, we each can have moments of feeling down in the dumps. Let the moments last as long as they may, but don’t allow the experience to define you or your worth.

Remember, most of the amazing movements in the world were born out of strife, terrible experiences, that came full circle and were a catalyst for change- often unplanned, but there is a contagious energy from passion and authenticity born out of a lesson learned from a life experience.

Be Who You Were Born to Be, Do Not Focus on An “Outcome”

When we focus on “outcomes”, it affects our worth-

* getting a promotion or not

* opening a business or not

* garnering approval from family or not

* getting recognition or not

* a boyfriend loving us flawed and all or not

* and the list goes on …

All of the outcomes of these scenarios can easily affect how one feels. Thinking about the “outcomes” first, also affects the path we take. For example, in my 20′s I would sometimes think, “If I wear this outfit, then tonight I will probably meet someone.”  Little did I know my future husband would fall in love with me while I was wearing baggy old sweats and my hair in a knot on top of my head.

I hear from people all of the time who choose a path solely because he/she thinks it will garner the desired outcome.  To which I now respond, “what is that outcome for you really about?” Because I’ve learned, it is never about the outcome. We must delve deeper than that, and do that which makes our soul stir, that which helps others, that which uses our unique gifts to serve the world…and then the “outcomes” do not matter.

Realizing Our Gifts Without Strings Attached

Each of us has unique gifts, that, even when no one is around, even when we are bare with nothing in our bank account, we have gifts that need no outcome, no accompaniment.

The ironic thing is, many people chase the desired outcome, and along the way, stop using their gifts. And then the outcome never comes. When we simply use our gifts, people flow into our lives, doors open, experiences happen that are even bigger than we could have imagined.

Learning by Letting Go of Every “Thing”

I learned I was worthy without strings attached by letting go of almost every “thing”. After some financial issues years ago, we sold our home, turned in our vehicle, auctioned off our wedding china, many of the “things” that typically define a person- we shed.

I remember crying, sobbing one day while my baby Lu napped. I prayed to God for an answer, and He told me to write. Writing is something I’ve done practically since birth. And, for some reason, I didn’t even feel worthy of picking up my pen at that time.

Grabbing whatever scrap piece of paper I could find, I started jotting down my thoughts. In that moment, I realized God was telling me it would be alright, to carry on, to continue the work I was doing. We must use our gifts to serve the world. And, a whole new chapter emerged, a peace came over me, that no thing or outcome could ever deliver. It was like the intense love I feel when I hold my children, kiss my husband, see a baby giggle, have a heart to heart with my mom, spend time with my dad, or witness a person truly smiling- that peace stayed with me and I let His love guide me back…I remembered that faith was my anchor- that I am worthy (no strings attached) because I am a child of God.

Every single person, regardless of circumstance, past history, race, color, religion, every single one of us is worthy. Find your anchor in faith, and today, free yourself from the strings that you are attaching to your worth. Choose to look everyone you pass in the eye, listen, share, connect. Be joyful. Laugh. Play. Release fear, ignite your spirit, use your gifts, your talents to help others regardless of any “outcome”, and your light will shine bright.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson

What Strings Are You Attaching to Your Worth? is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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Reinvigorated and full of hope, off to a new practice he went! This particular group focuses on a holistic approach, where they incorporate nutrition, fitness, massage, chiropractic care, as well as a medical doctor. Michael came home super excited, and feeling great with just the first visit. The x-ray showed his back issue right away, and they are working to resolve his pain. He said he feels like a new person.

The beauty of life is that no matter what happens, you can always begin again. Whether it’s a physical ailment, or personal issue, in every moment we have an opportunity to create a new outcome. This is why I love ‘detoxing’ – it is a symbol of cleansing, a commitment to yourself, and a way to begin again, fresh!

Every year I take a couple of weeks or so to “detox”. I began this ritual about thirteen years ago, and I find it to be amazing both inside and out! The idea came to me after my brother turned me on to a food detox, to cleanse my body of impurities, toxins, and so forth that may have contributed to my borderline diabetes (which has since gone away!).

As the years went on, I continued to add to the detox from a general ‘life’ standpoint – this may include cleansing my home, my cabinets, releasing self-limiting beliefs, letting go of the weight of my mind, shoulders, and weight carried on my body. It also has included looking at priorities, time vacuums, and cleansing of my schedule as well when necessary. Sometimes it includes eliminating electronics entirely for a period just to relish in the simplicity of life, creativity, and connecting.

I realized all of this equated to ‘Letting Go’ in a sense. And, I find it very powerful to choose what you want to let go in order to become the person you were born to be. So, Letting Go became a technique I use for myself, and teach in my workshops. I think it’s important to take some time on a somewhat regular basis (whatever makes sense to you as an individual personally) to clear away debris that may be building up in our lives. This can feel liberating and exciting. It’s a chance to eliminate what’s no longer serving a purpose or what’s simply not serving you well and what doesn’t align with your core values; to begin fresh. It’s a technique you can use throughout your daily life, but it’s especially important to create a ritual around it as well, because we all know how the speed of life can increase without our realizing it, and when we blink, it’s years gone by!

Choosing to turn the technique of Letting Go into a detox can keep you feeling in balance even when life is crazy, stressful, and bring you back to your ‘center’ when you haven’t properly nurtured yourself well.

So, in the ‘detox’ form, it is my ‘annual ritual’, and of course, in an ‘everyday mode’ the more in-tune and aware I am, the more simply choosing what to ‘let go’ happens naturally on a regular basis as well. The beauty of it is there really are no rules, just the ones I design based on my life in that moment – often with a bit of help from God telling me what to let go of and release !

It dawned on me that it has been a few months past my annual detox time, I typically like to do it in September. But, this September was more crazed than usual: my father was admitted into the hospital and stayed there for almost 3 months, my book writing/editing was in full swing and my workshops were filling up, and my little LuLu started kindergarten so add in homework, social gatherings, and a change in schedule…yes fall turned to winter without a proper annual detox in 2011!

I have to admit, I felt it yesterday when I opened my closet and practically an avalanche of clothing fell from the top shelf. Did it really pile up that badly? I always stack it neatly, but I didn’t store away my fall clothes at the change of seasons, so voila, just like that – sweaters, long sleeve tees, and ponchos were pouring down on me!

Let the cleansing detox ritual begin! I will post daily so you can see what I’ve done to detox over the next 2 weeks. Last night, I…

* organized my dresser drawers and jewelry box

* drank 74 oz. of water with lemon and chose not to drink my usual iced coffee

* closed one of my email accounts that was just receiving junk mail – even though I don’t read the junk mail, just seeing the number of messages was feeling heavy

* released with my hubby- we talked about the weight on our minds, and it felt so good to acknowledge it together – I felt more clarity almost immediately after

More later!

What do you need to release, let go of, cleanse from your life?

My Annual Detox: Releasing, Letting Go, and a Comprehensive Food-Life Cleanse is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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Situations happen, from hurtful comments to misunderstandings to errors in judgment to personalities clashing – these things can easily make for difficult relationships.

I think it’s fairly common to ‘surface forgive’ in order to smooth it over. But, when we ‘surface forgive’, we actually are still holding on to resentment and uneasy feelings on the inside. Surface forgiving is like stuffing down the hurt to block our vocal chords from speaking. And, when we ‘surface forgive’, we choose to just carry on, either by ending the relationship swiftly or by continuing it as if nothing happened. This wreaks havoc on our health and does no good in healing relationships, it may even deepen the wedge.

I know the old saying ‘forgive and forget’, but can we ever really do it without the practice of true forgiveness?

True forgiveness isn’t about just getting along, and doesn’t have to be about dumping the relationship entirely. It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about understanding that we are each imperfect, that we may not always see eye to eye, that miscommunications are a 2-way street. Practicing true forgiveness connects us as human beings- each of us is flawed, yet beautiful in our own ways.  We all put our foot in our mouth, don’t always say or do the ‘right’ things, make mistakes. I believe most people have good intent, but delivery or content may not always be ‘perfect’. It’s about understanding that people are affected by stress differently, and if they are going through difficult times, choosing to be compassionate, not defensive will change your perspective entirely.

True forgiveness is about recognizing that we all have a history that impacts our actions, and often our thoughts, and that there may be deep reasons another human being “is” the way he or she is, and none of us are exempt from making mistakes. Instead, let go of the anger or frustration.

Let me be clear, I don’t think true forgiveness means we have to accept standards of behavior that are less than we deserve. If your gut is telling you something is unacceptable, you should remove yourself from the situation or release yourself from the relationship. And make peace with it, forgive, and move forward in your life.

True forgiveness sets us free, lightens the load that drags us down. So, today choose to practice forgiveness…release the uncomfortable feeling of discord, and instead listen with compassion, communicate with your heart, be gentler on both yourself and others.

What does forgiveness mean to you? How do you practice true forgiveness in your life?
 

Hurt, Healing, and Practicing True Forgiveness is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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My words won’t do his justice, so simply watch as Eric describes his WAKE UP moment thanks to a room full of lively, engaged children – life’s greatest teachers…

About Eric Handler:

Named by Fade In Magazine as one of Hollywood’s Top 100, Eric Handler was a highly respected entertainment professional for 11 years, working as a development executive at Dreamworks and as an agent at the William Morris agency. All of that was not enough and eventually Eric was led to some soul searching, which sparked the idea of Positively Positive.

His Positively Positive Facebook page has garnered over a million fans in its first year, and is in the process of becoming an immersive website with uplifting messages from all walks of life, from Olympic Gold Medalists, to kids fighting for their lives, to everyday people wanting to make a difference in the world.

Eric lives in Los Angeles with wife and business partner, Julie, two daughters, and two dogs. He is a successful real estate entrepreneur, a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, and an active board member with Y.O.G.A. for Youth, a nonprofit organization that provides urban youth with tools for self-discovery. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga, traveling, and spending time with his family.

http://www.positivelypositive.com/

Are You Living in the Dash? Eric Handler Reminds Us to Live Our Legacy Now… is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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“Why wouldn’t the boys and girls hold hands?” I would think.  The innocence of a child.

But as I got older, and I learned the harsh realities that other human beings have lived through, I felt an even stronger admiration for Martin Luther King, Jr. that he had the courage, the wisdom, the strength to speak out, to transform our country and the world.

I know that each and every single one of us, regardless of race, age, size, color, economic status- every single one of us has a story, has a history, has something to offer, something to give, to teach. I believe that our dreams should serve others, not simply ourselves. We are all connected, we are all important, each an integral piece of the puzzle. Martin Luther King, Jr. had dreams that he put into motion- they served millions of lives, and his words are still a catalyst for change.

Thank you is not enough. One day off from work or school is not enough. We must love and accept each other without judgment. We must “be” the change that Martin Luther King, Jr. paved the way for just 5 decades ago.

What dreams do you have? How will your dreams serve a purpose beyond yourself? What will you do today to take a step toward your dream?

Below is Just a Snippet of Some of the Wise Words from Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction…the chain reaction of evil–hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars–must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength To Love, 1963.

“Success, recognition, and conformity are the bywords of the modern world where everyone seems to crave the anesthetizing security of being identified with the majority.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, 1967.

Below is An Excerpt from “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr, delivered August 28th, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C:

“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”2

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day — this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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Everything Good by Ashes Remain

You are oxygen
on a late night drive
To clear my head when hope has passed me by
You are gravity
when I’m upside down
You help me find my way back to the ground
And this is why

[CHORUS]
You’re everything good
everything true
When all the world is fading
You’re everything new
You are my eyes
when I can’t see
When all the world is broken
You will always be
Everything good

You are all I have
and all I need
And all I am is what You’ve made of me
And this is why

[CHORUS]

You’re everything
good to me
You’re everything
that I need
that I need
And this is why

Sunday Morning – Sing It Loud is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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Little Miss Negative by Jennifer Tuma-Young | Make Your Own Book

Little Miss Negative Now Available on iPad & iPhone is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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I am on a bit of cinnamon kick lately, and have come to the conclusion that cinnamon can make just about any food taste even better – really. I’ve been adding it to coffee, green tea, sprinkling it on my fruit, and in a grilled brie bite. I even added cinnamon and cayenne to my scrambled eggs the other day on a whim, and it was YUMMY!!

My hunger was calling, and short of eating cinnamon by the spoonful, I decided to just mix it up with some stuff I already had on hand, which included:

* Plain Greek Yogurt
* Almond Butter
* Pure Vanilla Extract
* Raw Oats
* Cinnamon
* Stevia

I whipped the yogurt, vanilla, almond butter, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Then, I took the raw oats and sprinkled them with cinnamon and stevia, and poured the oats over the top of the yogurt mixture, and in 30 seconds indulged in creamy yogurt deliciousness!!

Creamy Yogurt Deliciousness and My Cinnamon Kick is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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The lyrics to this song say it all, because it is truly amazing what faith can do…

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you’re stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don’t have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That’s what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Morning Morning Get Up & Sing: What Faith Can Do is a post from: Inspired Girl* by Jennifer Tuma-Young

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