What a wild ride it has been so far this year!

February 2nd, 2023

How is it February already? This year has been a tornado of activity, at least in my world. I was expecting things to slow down, at least a little, like it usually does in January and February, but was I wrong! January kept me crazy busy with Chiefs football games, family visiting from out of state, and business staying at a furious pace. The New Year has also brought change to my business, as Rock Star Massage will be focusing solely on our Overland Park location, as well as adding a new member to our team. More details to coming when we find the right individual. Needless to say, taking a break or kicking back to relax will have to wait for another day.

I recently made the decision to invest in myself and my business by hiring a massage business coach. The process is a little different than I expected as it has taken me on a deeper dive into what makes me tick, as well as exposed my flaws and unhealthy patterns. I believe this type of coaching relies on a positive mindset and mental state. None of us are perfect and there is always room for improvement. If you want to go somewhere you have never been, a coach can help you navigate the journey! With that said, personal growth is something I am choosing to embrace because I know the results will be worth it. I am coachable and eager to learn, which is more than half the battle, right?

Is there an area in your life you have been struggling to grow or change? Would a coach be able to help you? If so, why haven’t you hired one yet? Is it something an accountability partner could help you tackle? Meaning you know what needs to be done and how to execute the plan, you just need someone to ask you where you are in the process. Let me know if you need help with resources or are interested in starting an accountability group. How awesome it would be to form an encouraging accountability group within this community! People who are wellness minded and focused on making a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of others. Teamwork makes the Dream work!

Highest Potential has been my go-to oil I apply daily instead of a perfume. I have not worn perfume in years and instead use an oil every day, usually placed over my heart. This blend has an uplifting and invigorating aroma that gives me a sense of confidence and balance. If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe! Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

End of the year update.

December 29th, 2022

Please excuse my extended absence as I have been recovering from yet another sinus infection, as well as focusing on building my immune system back up with plenty of rest, water, vitamins and all the other things that help us to stay healthy. I am currently working on wrapping up the year and finalizing my goals for next year. In addition, I have family in town and am taking full advantage of spending much needed time with them. I say all of this to prepare you for more of an extended absence from my blog. I plan to return in February, rested, refreshed and energized to share more self-care stories and tips with you. Thank you in advance for your grace and understanding! I hope your holidays celebrations are going well and filling your cup.

See y’all in February!

Be grateful, every day for at least 5 things!

November 10th, 2022

What a week it has been for me! I have family in town, which means my busy schedule is even crazier, but we are having so much fun! I feel blessed to have family who enjoy the same events and activities that I do, so that we can make memories together. I was recently reminded to make the most of every single day, as we are not guaranteed the next year, month, day or even hour. Be grateful for your family and friends, count your blessings, smile often, and hug your loved ones! I will step off that soap box now to discuss how to develop a grateful heart and a positive mindset that is constantly searching for opportunities to be thankful!

According to https://positivepsychology.com, there are 28 benefits of practicing gratitude. I want to give you my top 3 reasons you should be practicing gratitude daily.

  1. Improve your overall health! Sign me up for all the things: improved sleep quality, increased frequency of exercise, as well as improved mental health.
  2. Mindset shift – from being more optimistic to improving our self-esteem and enhancing our positive emotions.
  3. It’s contagious – we tend to gravitate to those who have a positive mindset and are happy. Being grateful also enhances our existing relationships at work, with friends, family, and with our significant other/spouse. A study in 2008 showed there is more access to social support for those who express gratitude.

Check out the link above for a more complete list of the benefits associated with a grateful heart. My challenge to you is to get a notebook of your choice and start your morning by writing down 5 things you are grateful for, that have happened in the past 24 hours. This list can consist of things as small as a courteous driver or as big as a stranger paying for your meal. This exercise will train your brain to look for the positive, all day long. On December 1st, tell me how this practice has changed your life. If you want to change the world, begin with yourself!

Gathering is an essential oil blend from Young Living that consists of nine different oils. By combining the grounding, earthy oils of Vetiver and Northern Lights Black Spruce with the more exotic oils of Rose and Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood plus five additional essential oils, this blend creates an aroma to bring people together in harmony and peace.  If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

Create a wellness plan to live your best life!

October 27h, 2022

Being sick is no joke! I have not had a cold or sinus infection in over 2 years, until last week. I forgot what it is like to be sick and how miserable and lethargic you can feel when under the weather. I took a couple days to rest, stay hydrated, and eat some comfort food. I believe I am through the worst of it and well on the road to recovery. This has instilled the importance of taking care of yourself and giving your body what it needs to support a healthy immune system. Here’s to hoping and preparing for wellness for the rest of the year and beyond!

Do you have a wellness plan created or do you just do damage control when sickness or disease strikes? Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! This plan should include your diet, supplements, screenings, exercise, and regular check ups at the bare minimum. My plan also includes regular massages and chiropractic treatments.

Since it is breast cancer awareness month, I want to highlight a few important facts about this disease and the importance of scheduling your screening. According to www.nationalbreastcancer.org, “1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.” That is an astonishing statistic! It drives home the reason why screenings are so important, because when detected and treated in the early stages, breast cancer has a 99% survival rate. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States, right behind skin cancer.

Your genetics and family history of breast cancer can increase your risk for breast cancer. I already knew this fact but was shocked by other factors that increase your risk, such as consuming more than 1 alcoholic drink per day or not getting 30 minutes of physical activity per day. The good news associated with the latter risk factors is that you can do something about them! You can reduce your risk by incorporating these activities into your wellness plan, my top 3 are: stop smoking, eat fruits and veggies, and maintain a healthy weight. You change your life by changing your mindset to be proactive and take charge of your health and wellness!

Immupro is the YL product of the week. This is a great supplement to take daily to help support the immune system. If you have any questions about this supplement or any of Young Living’s essential oils/products, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

When it comes to healthcare, don’t skip the screenings!

October 20h, 2022

How is everyone’s week going? Cool mornings turn into warm afternoons and back to cool evenings. The leaves are finally beginning to change colors and fall to the ground. Football has taken over Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights, as well as Saturdays and Sundays. It’s that time of year when my closest seems unorganized because layers are the everyday normal. I want to breakout my crockpot to cook a batch of chili for Frito pies or potato soup. Have I mentioned that I love fall? Fall reminds me that winter is coming, and I need to get prepared for the cold weather, holidays and all the things that come with it. Let’s talk about being prepared for life when it comes to your health.

As I was growing up, my activities revolved around competition, be it with myself or against others. This instilled in me the need to practice and prepare. Stick with me, I promise this ties in with your health and wellness! Practicing self-care includes the preventative screenings for cancer, bone health, and liver health, just to name a few. These screenings are recommended based on age or risk level and will help to know how to prepare you for the rest of your life. I recommend being your own advocate when it comes to your healthcare needs, because you know your body best. You can find a list of current health screenings at the US Department of Health & Human Services website and check with your primary care provider to make sure you are up to date on screenings as well as discussing any concerns you may have.

I want to talk about a preventative step that everyone has access to and that is rest/sleep. Getting enough sleep lowers your risk of significant disease, such as cancer and diabetes.  I had not planned on discussing this topic today, but it is relevant to my life right now. I have not been very good at listening to my body and giving it rest when it needs it. Burning the candle at both ends finally caught up to me and I have been dealing with sinus issues for 2 days. I cannot stress enough to listen to your body, or it will force you to listen via illness. There are other factors at play as well, like the drastic weather change, which brings pressure changes and that wreaks havoc on my sinuses as far as headaches go. I am making an effort to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, which is not always characteristic for my life.

Peace & Calming is an essential oil blend that I have used to help me fall asleep quickly. The aroma instantly relaxes me and helps to sleep through the night. If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

Lower your stress level, eat right, and help support your immune system!

October 13h, 2022

Pumpkins everywhere, sweaters in the evenings, and fall festivals every weekend means that October is here! Do you have any fall traditions or activities that you enjoy? Comment here and let’s see if we can inspire each other to get out of our normal routines! Growing up we always went to the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City, Kansas. It has been years since I have been, but a return trip could be fun. This week we discuss how lowering your stress level and eating right, helps to support a healthy immune system.

Stress is a fact of life that everyone must live with daily, but how you handle your stress is what determines if you cope with stress or suffer from stress. There are several effective ways to deal with stress. I have discussed several in this blog over the past and you can find a list on my website. One of the many negative side effects of high stress is a lower immunity system, which can lead to illness and disease. The stress hormone, cortisol, is responsible for suppressing some immune responses to viral infections.

Food is necessity for life. When it comes to meals, the options are virtually endless. Making wise choices when choosing food, can arm your immune system with the nutrients it needs to effectively fight off infections. Eat the rainbow and I’m not talking about Skittles. Make sure your meals consist of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Use herbs and spices to enhance the flavor profile. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day!

Sleep plays a vital role in the health of our immune system. Are you getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night? Setting an alarm as a reminder to go to bed in addition to my alarm to wake up has helped me to create a more regular sleep schedule. I have also created a “wind down” routine to help me relax and prepare my mind to go to sleep. A completely dark room and a ceiling fan that is constantly on at night help to ensure that my quality of sleep is the best possible.

The Stress Away essential oil blend is one of my go-to oils to diffuse when I need to unwind. It has an exotic aroma that can transform your mindset.  If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and saves you a ton of anxiety! Part 1

October 6th, 2022

Is everyone loving these cooler temperatures? In Kansas, it is officially time to wear layers, so you can basically have 2 outfits in one day. I am very thankful for a break in the heat and humidity and the colors of fall making their appearance! Last week, I took 4 days off for a quick change of scenery and then spent some time with a longtime friend, catching up and nourishing our souls. This month we will be discussing different ways to keep our health at and above the wellness line. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, and I am excited to share all the things!

Why is prevention a better option then needing a cure? I understand that you cannot prevent every disease, illness, or adversity in life, but there are several steps you can take to set yourself up for wellness and success in life. I believe that everything begins with your mindset! Afterall, you attract that on which you focus. Constantly focused on the latest cold/flu bug going around? Out of nowhere you get sick. To me this is not a coincidence. Instead try focusing on making sure you are giving your body enough rest, water, nutrients, and vitamins in times of high stress and surrounding illness. I have had to learn to listen to my body and over the years I have learned to recognize the need for rest earlier and earlier. My recovery is quicker, when I take heed of the early warning signs fatigue versus when I just went until I could no longer physically function.

Today I make sure to take supplements that my diet is lacking, either in quality or quantity. Antioxidants are something I have found that help me to function at my highest level, therefore, I take Ningxa Red every day. Ningxa Red was the YL product I highlighted in my July 19th blog post. If you are looking for more information, please contact me. In addition, I also take vitamins B, C, and D daily. If you are not sure which supplements to take, contact me and I have a questionnaire that can help you decide where to begin based on your individual needs and goals. I would argue that the quality of your vitamins is more important than what specific vitamins you take. Some are not bio readily available and, as a result, are just passed through the body.

Rosemary is the Young Living essential oil of the week. According to youngliving.com, rosemary essential oil has many features and benefits including, “a robust, invigorating, herbal aroma; may promote the appearance of healthy-looking hair; and contains antioxidants.” If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

Value the present!

September 27th, 2022

I want to begin this week’s blog with an explanation of my absence over the past month: I have been living life and enjoying time with friends and family, as well as practicing self-care by listening to my body and taking a break when I begin to feel overwhelmed or exhausted. Self-care is not a destination, but rather a journey. I’m always searching for new self-care ideas to improve my quality of life, as well as inspire others on their journey!

We have all heard the cliché sayings and seen the homemade signs for sale in every little boutique about treasuring the small moments, living in the present and not taking today for granted, but do not discount the importance of this life lesson. Sometimes we need to unplug from our normal routine in order to recharge our batteries and remember why we work so hard. Take the time to build memories and have experiences with the ones you love while you can. Please do not think of this post as doom and gloom but a nudge to pause your fast paced life to take inventory of the things that matter and pour effort and attention into those people and areas of your life.

Pouring into areas of importance can look different to everyone. I have spent the past few weeks soaking up life by treasuring the time spent with my momma and friends I have not seen in months or years, being intentional with my schedule, which includes taking time for self-care, and planning a weekend to spoil a friend who needs a break, while investing in that old friendship. I am investing in my business by learning new techniques and discovering new ways to solve the problems that my clients are experiencing. My motivation for telling you my experience is to help you in your journey and to give you ideas for your own self-care routine.

This week’s Young Living product highlight is the Highest Potential essential oil blend. This is an amazing blend of 23 essential oils. I find the smell luxurious, calming and uplifting all at the same time. It is on my list of must try oils! If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

P.S. – Beginning next week, I will be making posts on Thursdays, instead of Tuesdays. Thank you for sticking with me as I continue to navigate a crazy schedule!

Change your community by volunteering!

August 23rd, 2022

How was your weekend? Mine was great, let me tell you why: Saturday was the first preseason home game for the Kansas City Chiefs, and I was on the field! This is the first time back on the field for opening ceremonies since the AFC Championship game in January 2020. It seems like forever since I was able to gather with my fellow Red Coaters on the field for a game and it was amazing! We have a short turn-around this week as we play at home again on Thursday. How does this relate to my blog? The Red Coaters are heavily involved in several charities in the Kansas City area, and we are constantly volunteering where needed throughout the year. This week I will be giving you my top 3 list of places to volunteer in your community.

Maybe you already volunteer and are looking for other ways to get involved in your community or maybe you have been inspired this month to begin or resume volunteering your time to help organizations that need your skill set. Whatever the case may be, I hope this list of my top 3 places to volunteer locally helps you find the perfect fit for you!

  1. Animal shelter or rescue – If you have a love for animals this is a great opportunity for you! You can always organize a fund raiser or donate. You might be able to help with administrative duties, take dogs for walks, help at feeding time, or even foster an animal if that works for you.
  2. Food pantry – I am constantly surprised at the number of food pantries in many different neighborhoods. Often food pantries have volunteer opportunities for large groups, which allows you to invite your friends and family to join you. Typical needs at food pantries include sorting food, loading boxes, cooking, or even making deliveries.
  3. Library – You can share your love for books and reading by donating your time at your local library. It could be reading at their story time, checking books, or shelving books. Reading is a skill and hobby that lasts a lifetime, so let’s help the next generation pick up an actual book!

The essential oil highlight of the week is the Abundance blend. This is a trademarked blend, consisting of essential oils that were used by ancient cultures to attract prosperity. I love to use this oil in my wallet and on my appointment book.  If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

Is volunteering a big deal?

August 9th, 2022

How is everyone’s week going so far? Tell me something good that happened over the weekend or so far this week. I’ll go first! I was able to sit down for food and fellowship with my grandma, aunt, cousin, brother, and sister on Saturday before my grandma left on vacation. It has been a while since I have seen her in person and even longer since we have all been together. The food was great, but the fellowship was even better! This month we are discussing volunteering and this week I will give you some statistics on volunteering as well as discuss why it is a vital component to many organizations.

About 25 percent of adult volunteer. Only a fourth of the population!?! I am astonished at this number. I grew up volunteering at church, for the local horse shows and various events raising money for individuals or a specific cause. Giving back has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, sometimes it’s as simple as helping a neighbor. The definition of a volunteer is “a person who offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task,” while the definition of volunteering is “freely offer to do something.” To me volunteering speaks volumes about a person’s character. What are you willing to do for something or someone who can’t do anything in return? It brightens my day to give back! I enjoy seeing the people that I volunteer with, and it is touching to see how you can have a positive impact on someone’s life that you may not have met otherwise. I may not enjoy getting up early for a 5K or other event but the feeling of accomplishment and the feeling of joy I get from giving greatly outweighs the minor inconvenience of an early alarm clock.

Many organizations rely solely on volunteers for their staffing needs and are willing to train you, if necessary, to fill any voids. In my experience with volunteering, the biggest requirement has been the desire to help. My suggestion for getting involved is to find an organization or cause that you are passionate about. If that doesn’t work, find out where your friends volunteer or an opportunity that is close to your home or office. If you still do not know where to begin, message me and we can find a good opportunity for you together.

Gratitude is an amazing essential oil blend. It was created to promote the feeling of gratitude and contains Frankincense, Northern Lights Black spruce, and Vetiver. These 3 oils are among my favorite oils. I am a huge fan of the tree oils as they help me to feel calm and grounded. If you are interested in experiencing this blend or any of Young Living’s essential oils or products, contact me to schedule a time to meet.

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week y’all ~ Lacey

Life with Lacey

Self-care is not selfish, but very necessary!