It is October already. What?! 

I love October. Do you too? It brings on cooler weather, bonfires, fireplace fires, leaves,  decorating, and Halloween! I love the changing of the seasons. (Even though I am a summer girl through and through.) I think I like getting out my fall decorations so I have something new to look at. You too?

But, THIS fall is going to look a lot different isn’t it? With cooler temps and kids going back to school….cold and flu season is definitely upon us. If that wasn’t enough…it all comes on top of Covid. Yikes!

How are we going to know if we have a cold, the flu or whether or not we have Covid? Every time I get a sniffle or I’m tired or I have a sore throat I tell my husband I have ‘THE Covid.' He laughs…and then I do nothing about it. Because it goes away (usually after a good night's sleep)

If our hospitals are so crowded already what is going to happen?

I really have no idea. But, I do know that we need to take care of ourselves so that our immune systems are strong. We need to minimize the risk of getting sick.

I have been getting tons of emails about ‘Immune System Boosters' and ‘What you can do to boost your immune system.' Some of those ideas are great…some are just junk and it frustrates me that we are being fed such false information

There are simple and tangible ways to boost your immune system and make you less vulnerable to viruses + sickness.

One of the biggest things that you can do to boost your immune system is to stop using all of the chemicals. Yes, you do want to sanitize those counters… but why use chemicals when soap and water does an incredible job. PLUS soap and water will not harm your lungs or the environment. 

I got to thinking…why are we using chemicals to clean….well anything? I think it is part of the herd mentality – we are told to use them and we do – without any thought to whether or not it is right or it is wrong.

You breathe in all of those harmful vapors, which can compromise your lungs – the LAST thing you want to do with Covid hanging around. Take care of your lungs. How?

I would like to offer a few alternatives to you for your own cleaning, well-being, body, and breathing… Everything you need to maintain a strong immune system. Or, to help you build up a really strong one.

First, let's start with cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and other household supplies.

Branch Basics is one of my favorite companies out there. (FYI – I do NOT get paid to tell you about them). I just love their stuff so much. Their products are human safe and they work great – I have tried and tested almost all of them.

Check out: ‘Why I love Branch Basics Products So Much.’ 

They have an incredible blog too. You might want to read: 

Why We Are Not Disinfecting Our Homes (even now)

Better Air Means Better Health

Does Soap And Water Kill Germs?

Or…check out their whole blog: Branch Basics Blog

PLUS – $10 off your 1st order

The Summer Home Collection was amazing. I diffused oil every morning. The soap is in my powder bath…and who doesn’t love a room spray. Right? Something has to rid the house of the smell of bacon. 

The Autumn Home Collection is my personal fave I think.

PLUS – you can get 10% off when you use the code PJ10.

Flower Bath

Sea Soak

Spa Collection

And 3rd….another way to boost your immune system is to eat better. 

Stop eating all the stuff in bags that has more chemicals than a Nuclear Power Plant. If you are a podcast person, these podcasts from Drs Farmacy will blow your mind. Food companies add sugar AND addicting additives to everything. And you just thought it was your lack of will power right? Listen to: ‘The Real Reason for America's Disease Epidemic.‘  Or this one: ‘How Our Food System Harms Humans on the Planet.‘

I am not trying to scare you or ask you to go broke buying all organic and natural. Most of us can't afford to do that. What can you do? Make healthier food choices. 

An apple instead of Doritos. The old saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away' is definitely a keeper. (I add all natural peanut butter or almond butter (my fave is Justin's) to my apple – so it tastes like a snack and not like a necessity.) Do you feel that way too?

I buy almost all of my natural food items from Thrive Market.  So many good things. Get up to $20 off your 1st order if you click this Thrive Market link.

You can beat this! You CAN stay healthy and combat all the viruses that are around you. And if you do get sick, you might not get as sick as some. And you might recover faster.

I am raising my glass of water to you and saying ‘Here's to a healthier you.' (Clink)

Now, sometimes life can get pretty overwhelming, right?

Especially when you, or someone you love is not feeling well.

And sometimes, when you are overwhelmed, stress sets in.

And when stress sets in it is sometimes difficult to be happy or joyful. So, please don’t let stress have the last word! 

Go on and take a look at the ‘Top 5 Stress Reducers’ (Action Plan included). So that you can eliminate what causes you stress and get on the path of living a joyful life.

What is Joyful Living all about?

Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help! 

To begin, go ahead and read:

What is Joyful Living?

5 Simple Steps to Choosing Joy

Finding Joy in All Things

What Does God Say About Joy?

Difference Between Happiness and Joy