Tag: wellness

Overwhelmed, Exhausted, Defeated: How Clean Plant Wellness Changed My Life

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I recently saw something that said…

“Next time you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or defeated as a mom, remember this:

Parenting is only hard for the full engaged, overly invested, and deeply loving parents.”

And I felt that so deeply.

But, I would like to add that if you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or defeated…

there are solutions that can help you 🤎

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt it too. The weight of endless to-do lists, the sleepless nights, the relentless pressure to be everything to everyone. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Defeated. Those three words summed up my life for far too long.

I love my children with every fiber of my being. That love is what kept me pushing forward, even on days when I felt like I had nothing left to give. But deep down, I knew that merely surviving wasn’t enough—not for me, not for them. I wanted to thrive. I wanted to experience the fullness of life with my children, not just exist alongside them in a constant state of fight or flight.

Finding Balance Through Clean Plant Wellness

It was during one of those particularly low moments that I knew something had to change. I was tired of feeling like a shell of myself, worn down by the endless cycle of stress and exhaustion. That’s when I discovered the power of clean, plant-based wellness.

By incorporating plant-based solutions like CBD, adaptogens, and functional mushrooms into my routine, I began to notice subtle yet profound changes. These natural tools helped regulate my nervous system, bringing me back into balance. Instead of living in a constant state of stress, I finally felt calm and centered. For the first time in years, I could truly enjoy my days with my children.

A Shift in Perspective

One of the biggest realizations I had was that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and defeated sometimes. Those emotions are part of loving deeply and giving so much of ourselves to the people we care about most. But what I learned is that we don’t have to stay in that place.

There are safe, natural solutions available to help us navigate those feelings with more ease. Clean plant wellness didn’t just alleviate the stress and exhaustion—it gave me back my joy. It allowed me to be fully present for my children in ways I couldn’t have imagined before.

Choosing Joy

Today, I wake up with more energy, more patience, and more peace. I still have hard days, of course, but they no longer define me. I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t selfish—it’s the key to being the mom I want to be.

If you’re feeling stuck, know that you’re not alone. And know that there are solutions out there that can help. You deserve to feel good. You deserve to thrive. You deserve to find joy again.

Let this be your reminder: it’s okay to ask for help, to seek out new solutions, and to prioritize your well-being. You’ll be amazed at how much it changes everything—not just for you, but for the ones you love most.

If you want to start feeling like yourself again but don’t know where to start, please shoot me an email here -> derico.jessica@gmail.com

I can help you with a regimen to fit your needs and help you along your journey as well.

And if this resonated with you and you’d like more like it, please join our wellness community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean

I wish more women believed…

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I wish more women believed that rest is productive, boundaries aren’t mean, eating food that loves you back isn’t boring, and healing isn’t liner 🫶

Ladies, it’s time to shift the narrative…

Rest is productive because it fuels us.

Boundaries? They’re an act of self-love, not selfishness.

Nourishing our bodies with food that supports us can be delicious AND fulfilling.

And healing? It’s a journey, not a straight line.

Let’s embrace all of it—because we’re worthy of the love, care, and balance we give to others. 💕

If this resonates with you, make sure you join us over in my wellness community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean

#SelfCare#WellnessJourney#HealingIsntLinear#BoundariesAreHealthy#NourishYourBody#LoveYourselfFirst

Solving Sleep Struggles

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You guys… sleep is super important 💤✨

I listen to a podcast all about health & wellness when I’m running & just about every guest at some point speaks to the importance of getting enough, QUALITY, sleep. It is crucial for your health for a few reasons…

1. Stay Healthy 🏃‍♂️💪

Sleep helps your body repair & stay strong. It can keep your heart healthy and boost your immune system. Basically, more sleep means fewer sick days!

2. Boost Your Brainpower 🧠⚡

Your brain needs sleep to think clearly, remember stuff, & solve problems. Less sleep = more forgetful moments and brain fog.

3. Mood Magic 🌈😊

Ever notice how cranky you get when you’re tired? Sleep helps you stay happy & handle stress better. More sleep, more smiles!

4. Be a Star Performer 🌟🎯

Whether you’re studying, working, or playing sports, sleep helps you do your best. You’ll be more focused & make fewer mistakes.

5. Weight Control 🍎🏋️

Sleep affects your hunger hormones. Lack of sleep can make you crave junk food. Sleeping well helps you make healthier food choices.

6. Live Longer 🕰️❤️

Good sleep habits can add years to your life. It keeps you healthy & full of energy for the long haul.

I have some tips for better sleep for anyone who wants them! Just comment SLEEP & I’ll send them right over.

No gatekeeping here though… the absolute #1 thing that has completely changed my sleep is the half a jelly I take at night when I get in bed. I went from taking 30-60+ minutes to fall asleep & waking several times in the night to falling asleep quickly (without using Gilmore Girls or a sleep meditation) & I stay asleep ALL NIGHT! I wake up feeling refreshed & I actually have energy during the day. I can’t remember the last time I felt like that 🙌

If you want to grab these jellies, I’ll link them here -> if you take half like I do, this is a 2 month supply, & you’re getting my 20% discount + $10 off 😍➡️https://jessicaderico.greencompassglobal.com/cart/102084

Remember, good sleep = a happier, healthier you! 😴🌙

If you found this helpful, join us over in my Facebook Community, it’s where I spend the most time and share the most tips! https://www.facebook.com/share/o1bcxvoG6C4iQ4ZS/

Girl Math = Making more money instead of cutting costs

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There are some things I just am not giving up 🧖🏼‍♀️✨

So, hear me out—
Adaptability is life’s secret sauce🍝
Embrace change📚
Learn to pivot🏃🏽‍♀️
Make resiliency your freaking superpower🦸🏽‍♀️

Teaching gave me a career but entrepreneurship gave me freedom.

Time freedom ⌚️
Financial freedom 💵
Creative freedom 🩺

It also gave me the opportunity to help people and make a difference in a way I never knew I could.

If you’re even the tiniest bit curious what a pivot into entrepreneurship & the holistic health space could look like for you, let’s chat! 👩‍⚕️ 🌱

Shoot me a message ->
M.me/Jessie.rae.31

I’m an open book and love sharing what has completely changed my family’s lives and allowed me to walk away from my teaching career and stay home with my kids.

You can also join us over in my wellness community! We’d love to have you 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/share/k9XooS3Q7B71CBPL/

If you want to start enjoying the moments of motherhood…

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Welcome, dear readers, especially my fellow “crunchy” friends! I’m thrilled to have you here. If you’re new, don’t forget to hit follow and join our supportive community. Let’s be friends on this journey towards tranquility and well-being. 😊

Share Your Journey

I invite you to comment “ROUTINES” below, and I’ll gladly share my morning and nighttime routines designed specifically for overwhelmed moms. Together, we can transition from a state of constant stress to one of calm and peace. 🙌🏻

My Personal Journey

In recent months, I’ve been focused on lowering my cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety, and finding joy even in the challenging moments of motherhood (yes, that includes grocery shopping with two little kids 🤪).

The Importance of Routines

Morning Routine: Setting the Tone for Your Day

☀️ Proactivity Over Reactivity Without a centering morning routine, you may find yourself reacting to everything that comes your way instead of proactively managing your day. A well-structured morning routine helps you start the day with intention and clarity.

Regulating Your Nervous System: Plant-Based Wellness

🌱 Achieving Homeostasis Incorporating clean, plant-based wellness practices into your life is crucial for regulating your nervous system. High cortisol levels indicate that your body is in a constant state of fight or flight. By using natural wellness strategies, you can bring your body back to a balanced state. (My tried and true regimen is on sale for Memorial Day! You can get 30% off, free shipping, and $10 off first time orders here -> https://jessicaderico.greencompassglobal.com/share/573327) or message me for your custom recommendation!)

Nighttime Routine: Ensuring Restful Sleep

🌛 The Foundation of a Good Day A calming nighttime routine is essential for winding down and securing a good night’s rest. Poor sleep affects your entire next day, making it harder to handle stress and maintain energy levels.

Your Path to Calm and Peace

If you’re seeking a comprehensive plan to regulate your nervous system, lower cortisol levels, and reduce anxiety, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out; my DMs are always open for support and guidance. ☺️

You can also find me here ->
M.me/Jessie.rae.31 or join the wellness community here -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean

Together, let’s work towards a more peaceful, balanced, and joyful motherhood.

Day 8 of our De-Stress Challenge: Embrace the Digital Detox! 

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I’m running a de-stress challenge during the entire month of April over in my wellness community. I think today’s is super powerful and wanted to share it over here.

Today, we’re stepping away from the screens and reclaiming our time for what truly matters. It’s Day 8 of our challenge, and your task is to have a digital detox day—limit your screen time to only essential tasks.

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with notifications, emails, and social media updates, taking a break from our screens can be incredibly refreshing and rejuvenating. By disconnecting from the digital noise, we create space for deeper connections, meaningful experiences, and inner peace.

So today, let’s prioritize real-life interactions, engage in activities that nourish our souls, and savor moments of quietude and reflection. Whether you spend time outdoors, enjoy a leisurely meal with loved ones, or dive into a favorite hobby, let today be a reminder of the beauty and richness of the offline world.

Remember, it’s okay to unplug and recharge. Your well-being is worth it.

Share your digital detox experiences and insights with us in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to find balance in our relationship with technology! 🌿💫 #DeStressChallenge #DigitalDetox #UnplugAndRecharge #MindfulLiving

If you want to participate in the whole challenge make sure you join the wellness community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean

Slay your Sleep Struggles

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Safe Swaps for Melatonin

I have always struggled with sleep. So, I’ve tried A LOT of safe sleep aid products.

I have a really hard time turning my brain off at night so it takes me a LONG time to fall asleep. I’m also a light sleeper, so little things wake me, and then I have trouble falling back asleep. I’ve been learning about the importance of sleep lately and the effects sleep deprivation have on your daily life and it’s pretty scary. The more “sleep debt” you have, the less executive function you have during the day. This means it’s harder to make decisions, think, and function as a human… Lack of sleep can even increase your risk of dying earlier than those who get enough sleep. Sleep is truly not something to be taken lightly. But, neither are the long term side effects of Melatonin. Despite my very serious sleep struggles, I would not touch melatonin. So, what are some safe alternatives? I’m glad you asked!

What I’ve used for the kids and/or myself:

Lavender Essential Oil – rolled on bottom of feet and/or back of neck

Earthley’s Sleepy Time Tincture – dropped in mouth

Earthley’s Goodnight Lotion – rubbed on tummy and legs

Organic Tart Cherry Juice – consumed during the day

Epsom Salt baths before bed – in bath

Green Compass Sleep Boost – taken orally

Green Compass Sleep Jellies – consumed before bed (would recommend for age 2+ starting with 1/4 jelly)

Green Compass Full Spectrum Nano Jellies – consumed before bed (would recommend for age 5+ starting with 1/4 jelly)

My thoughts/experiences:

Lavender oil used on Willow – Noticed no improvement

Earthley’s Sleepy Time Tincture – Noticed no improvement for Willow. Helps me fall and stay asleep a little bit. Helps Adeline fall and stay asleep as far as I can tell.

Eathley’s Goodnight Lotion – Noticed no improvement for Willow. Adeline loves it. Does nothing for me.

Organic Tart Cherry Juice – Noticed no improvement for Willow.

Epsom Salt baths before bed – Noticed no improvement for sleeping but does help calm both kids and make bedtime routine easier.

Green Compass Sleep Boost – Helps me fall and stay asleep more than the Earthly tincture but not as well as the jellies.

Green Compass Sleep Jellies – These work amazingly. They are my favorite thing I’ve used for myself. These help me sleep the best of anything I’ve tried. I fall asleep faster and stay asleep ALL NIGHT!

Green Compass Full Spectrum Nano Jellies – These also work amazingly. They knock me out really fast and put me into a DEEP sleep. If you want a really good, restorative deep sleep, these are for you.

Links (it means the world to my family when you use my links to shop!):

Earthley – https://earthley.com/ref/dericoj/

Cherry Juice –https://amzn.to/3SUFwKI

Green Compass – https://jessicaderico.greencompassglobal.com/share/573327

*the Green Compass link gets you $10 off your first order*

Help, I have mom brain!

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Let’s talk about focus. My fellow mama friends know all about “pregnancy brain” which then turns into “mom brain”. We laugh and joke about it. But it can actually be pretty detrimental sometimes. When you can’t focus on anything and your brain is constantly jumping all over the place, you feel like you’re forgetting stuff all the time. It’s a lot.

But I know it’s not just moms who struggle with focus.

In a world buzzing with distractions, staying focused has become an increasingly daunting task for many of us. Whether it’s the incessant pings of notifications, the allure of social media, or simply the chaos of our own thoughts, maintaining concentration seems like an uphill battle. I, too, have wrestled with this struggle for years, feeling frustrated by my inability to stay on track and achieve my goals. However, amidst the chaos, I’ve discovered a solution that has transformed my ability to concentrate and reclaim my productivity.

The journey to finding this solution was not an easy one. Like many others, I found myself succumbing to the allure of multitasking, believing that I could juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and somehow emerge unscathed. Yet, as deadlines loomed and projects piled up, I realized that my fragmented attention was hindering rather than helping me. Procrastination became my constant companion, and the vicious cycle of distraction and guilt seemed never-ending.

It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of uncompleted tasks, that I knew something had to change. Determined to regain control of my focus, I embarked on a quest for solutions. I tried countless productivity hacks, which meant I spent way too much time scrolling Pinterest for answers, but nothing seemed to stick. Frustration threatened to engulf me as I despaired of ever finding a way out of the fog of distraction.

Yet, amidst the chaos, a ray of hope emerged. Through introspection and experimentation, I stumbled upon a couple of things that resonated with me in a profound way. They weren’t revolutionary techniques or a fancy new apps; rather, they were simple yet powerful additions to my daily routine: mindfulness and high quality, clean, organic, third party tested, safe C B D.

Now, I’m inspired to help others experience anything similar to what I have as it has changed my life. I’ve been sharing more information over in my wellness community – https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean/ and I created this quiz to be able to help others get the perfect products to help them feel their absolute best – https://forms.gle/3H992tY6rWvHPVLA7

You don’t have to walk through life distracted and stressed. I got you!

Vitamin C!

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We’re digging into some Vitamin C info this month!

Vitamin C offers tonssss of skin benefits, making it a highly sought-after ingredient in skincare products 😍

Let’s talk about some of its key benefits:

1. Powerful Antioxidant: Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and damage to the skin. This protection can help prevent premature aging and maintain a youthful appearance. 🤩

2. Collagen Synthesis: Vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen production, a protein responsible for maintaining the skin’s structure and elasticity. By promoting collagen synthesis, vitamin C can help improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 💁‍♀️

3. Skin Brightening: Vitamin C inhibits melanin production, making it effective in reducing the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. It can also impart a radiant and more luminous complexion. 🥰

4. UV Protection: While not a substitute for sunscreen, vitamin C has been shown to offer some level of photo-protection by neutralizing free radicals generated by UV exposure. 🌞

5. Wound Healing: Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, crucial for wound healing and tissue repair. It can help accelerate the healing process and improve the overall appearance of scars. 🤓

6. Hydration and Moisture Retention: Vitamin C can help improve the skin’s moisture barrier and enhance its ability to retain moisture, leading to better hydration and softer skin. 💧

7. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm and soothe irritated or red skin, making it beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like acne. 😘

8. Protection Against Environmental Stressors: By neutralizing free radicals caused by pollution and other environmental stressors, vitamin C helps protect the skin from damage and maintain its overall health. 🤗

So, incorporating vitamin C into your skincare routine can contribute to healthier, more radiant, and youthful-looking skin! I must add that the effectiveness of vitamin C can vary depending on its form (not all vitamin C is created equal!) concentration, and the overall formulation of the skincare product.

Need a recommendation for a safe Vitamin C product? Just let me know!

Like what you see here and want more low-tox info? My wellness community is my main hub for all things clean living! https://www.facebook.com/groups/raisingclean/

Detox your makeup/skincare bag today!

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I don’t normally do posts like this, but I know some of you may be reading my posts and are thinking about swapping out products in your life. My favorite thing to help with is makeup and skincare!

Over in my wellness group on Facebook,we are just $250 away from maxing out our July reward link and someone getting a free facial essence and up to 5 half priced products!

SO I DECIDED TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE FUN – ALL ORDERS TODAY GET DOUBLE ENTRIES INTO THE REWARD DRAWING!!

Shop here – http://Crunchi.com/Jessicaderico/event/36910

New clients get $10 off $50+ as well!

Check out some life changing before and afters below to see what can happen when you ditch the toxic and start using products full of skin loving, clean ingredients 🙂