If I Died Tomorrow…

/ realmofvibes / 13 Comments

Death surrounds me. When I was doing my internship, my clinical instructor used to read the obituaries. She told me, “You just wait…when you are a therapist, if you work in a setting with older adults, you will read the obituaries too.” Five years later, I actually read the obituaries. I have both hated and enjoyed reading about one of my former patient’s passing. I have cut their obituary out of the paper, tucked it into my scrub pocket, and carried their 400-word blurb into work to share with my colleagues.

Nursing homes can be a pretty eerie place to work. The smells and sounds have most people running for the hills. I have had long walks down the corridors, only to find out that one of my patient’s expired. I hate that word, expire. It reminds me of milk…

Death is apart of my husband’s job, too, as he is a police officer. When he gets home, a conversation can go something like:

“How was your day?”

“Great. I had a young couple overdose on heroin. How was your day?”

“Great. One of my patients died…they didn’t make it to the hospital.”

Silence.

12:34. That is my Grandma’s signal for everything being in order…When she died, she would wake us up at 12:34 AM. Whenever I catch 12:34, I say, “Hi, Grandma!”

The foster puppies… I usually foster the older dogs, but I will hear that one or two of the puppies didn’t make it because of Parvo or some other illness. Dog rescue is not for the faint of heart. Very, very depressing.

Make sure you have your wishes in order. If you don’t already have one, make sure you have a will, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy. I have noticed that while working in a nursing home, it is really important that you have your stuff together and legalized to prevent any problems.

The past two weeks were very challenging. I went to two wakes, which made me think about my life.

If I died tomorrow…

  • Put me in a bio-degradable coffin and bury me in the ground. I am an environmentalist. Coffins are expensive and don’t decompose. Grow a tree, or plant flowers near me. Come visit me; talk to me, keep me posted on what is going on in your life. Cover me with a flannel blanket during the winter and place flip-flops on my grave in the summertime. Leave pictures of your travels and talk to me. I will be there for you.
  • Play good music during my wake. Play Trevor Hall, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone. I don’t want to listen to elevator music, and neither do you. Don’t make it a super sappy event. I don’t want that. Cry, but talk about the good stuff. Laugh. Smile. It will be okay.
  • Dress me in anything royal blue and a fresh pair of sneakers. Comfortable is my favorite word when it comes to fashion.
  • Have pictures of Jason, my family, friends, and Bailey with me. I felt the most beautiful on my wedding day so include some mementos from that day. Replay my wedding video on a television. Put some pictures of the foster dogs I helped save. I know I will continue to rescue dogs in Heaven.
  • Make sure I have the Italian horns and hands with me; they will protect me and ward away any evil on my travels from earth to Heaven.
  • Flowers die. While beautiful, I rather you donate money to the rescue organization. The dogs need it more than I will.
  • At my repast, drink, eat, and be merry. This too shall pass. You will be fine and so will I.

I snap. I blink. I take a breath. Death could happen in that one, single second. I could get into an accident, fall down the stairs, or lightening could strike me dead. Boom. Lights out. Game over. Thanks for playing. It’s a crazy concept, isn’t it?

I try to live every day to the fullest. Sometimes, if my husband and I are discussing a big purchase, we will turn to one another and say, “YOLO!” as our reminder that we have ONE shot in life. Buy the item on your wish list. Get the manicure. Eat the brownie. When we wake up to see another day, we are truly blessed. The harsh reality is that death could be a moment away…

Death is a hard topic for some people to discuss. I leave you with some thoughts; If you were to die tomorrow, do people know what you want? Your desires and wishes? Would they know how you feel about them? Would you have lived to be your best self?

Namaste.

Adobe Spark (44)

Remember, Realm of Vibes has a Lili Aromatherapy giveaway going on until March 24, 2017 where you could win a sample pack of body scrubs. Enter here. 

Lili Aromatherapy Body Scrubs – GIVEAWAY!

/ realmofvibes / 46 Comments

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and sponsored products. All opinions within are authentic and my own.

Showers are sacred. Besides my bed, it is the one place where I can just relax. I don’t have the dogs and cats begging for attention, my husband asking me what’s for dinner, or text message pings alerting me to the twenty million things on my to-do list.

Once a week, I perform a full body scrub. I like the feeling of exfoliating; I scrub my day or week away — all that “stuff”, down the drain. I was honored to write a review on Lili Aromatherapy’s body scrubs, which are from Sri Lanka, 100% vegan, and not tested on animals.

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About Lili Aromatherapy

Lili Aromatherapy was created by Rasha, who was been born and raised in America. She moved to Sri Lanka when she was a teenager and fell in love with the country. Sri Lanka is known for is their high quality essential oils that the natives use in beauty treatments. Rasha started Lili Aromatherapy the goal of sharing Sri Lankan essential oils with the world. She wanted all of her products to be of spa quality, convenient and easy to use. All ingredients are sourced from the tropical Island of Sri Lanka. Women from impoverished areas of Sri Lanka hand pack all of Lili Aromatherapy’s products.

Lili Aromatherapy scrubs come with 4 individual sachets (3.5 oz., 100 g, of product in each sachet) and cost $40 USD. Each pack is designed for one full body scrub experience. If used once a week, each purchase could last for one month. I always appreciate a company that sends a handwritten note and has awesome packaging. Each cloth drawstring packet is wrapped in clear plastic and contain four sachets. The sachets are waterproof, see-through and have a floral design with clear labels. I smelled the scrubs through the DHL bag!

Directions:

Rub small amounts of scrub onto moist skin, rubbing towards your heart to improve circulation. Once finished, wash off the remaining scrub with warm water. For best results, use once a week.

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The Lili Aromatherapy body scrubs include:

  • An Affair Amongst Jasmines
    • Amazing for glowing skin, helps reduce blemishes and scars, and soothes troubled skin. Recommended before a hot date or event.
    • My thoughts: I could smell the jasmine and sandalwood through the packaging. Holy. Moly. Amazing. The scrub has an orange/pinkish tint, and is finer than the other two scrubs. My skin is sensitive, and this scrub was especially soothing and left my skin soft and glowing. This was my favorite scrub; the smell was truly unbelievable and my skin was left soft from the essential oils.
  • Meditation Amongst Lotuses
    • Reduces anxiety and stress, tones and tightens skin, reduces fine lines and is purported to have anti-aging effects. Good to use after a stressful week or when you feel worn out or ragged.
    • My thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness. I have never heard of or used blue lotus essential oil but I am really glad I had the opportunity to experience it through Lili Aromatherapy’s scrubs. The Meditation Amongst Lotuses scrub smells like the biggest and best bouquet of flowers you have ever received. My skin was left smelling like floral notes. Very refreshing!
  • Serenity Amongst Lavender Fields
    • Perfect for reducing cellulite, reduces aches and muscle pains, and has a strong calming effect. This is a staple after the gym or an intense yoga class.
    • My thoughts: I love lavender. This is super relaxing. I smell the rosemary and sage, too. I used this after hot yoga class, before bedtime, and it put me in a very calm state. My skin felt fantastic; super soft and left smelling like lavender.

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The Lili Aromatherapy scrubs have made my shower experience more relaxing and enjoyable. The scents are unreal, the textures of the scrubs are perfect, and they really exfoliate my skin without any irritation. My skin is left soft from the essential oils. I feel like I am taken away to Sri Lanka when using Lili Aromatherapy scrubs. I felt like one sachet was the perfect amount for two showers. Realm of Vibes strongly recommends Lili Aromatherapy scrubs to help you look and feel amazing.

Lili Aromatherapy is giving THREE lucky winners a sample pack of scrubs (valued at $30 USD). Contest will begin on March 10, 2017 at 12:00 AM EST and run until March 24, 2017 12:00 AM EST. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Winners must be from the continental USA. No purchase required. Winners will be chosen using random.org. Winners must be able to provide name, address, and phone number for shipping. Winners have 24 hours to respond to e-mail or another winner will be selected.

ENTER THE LILI AROMATHERAPY GIVEAWAY HERE

Visit Lili Aromatherapy on Facebook and Instagram.

Namaste.

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Top 5 Products for Keeping Your Dog Healthy

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The information within this blog post is not to be taken as medical advice. If your dog has medical issues, please bring them to the veterinarian.

When we rescued Bailey in December 2014, she had Giardia. She had just finished a round of antibiotics, but her stool was still loose and had a very distinct, unpleasant smell. We kept bringing her to the vet; she would go on a round of antibiotics and within a month, she would get Giardia again. We made changes; we would pick up her waste as soon as she went to the bathroom (instead of doing clean-up days a few times a week) and made sure there was no standing water anywhere in our backyard, but low and behold, Giardia would return, rearing its ugly head. I researched a more holistic way to treating Giardia, and wanted to incorporate products into her diet that would help her have optimal joint and dental health, along with a shiny, soft coat. Below are the top five products I use for Bailey and my foster dogs daily:

Kochi Free

This is an herbal product used to boost the immune system, rid microscopic parasites, helps rid the body of free radicals, kills viruses, bacteria, and fungus. Kochi Free can be used to treat Giardia, Coccidian, and Campylobacter. It doesn’t get rid of round, hook, or tape worm. You administer Kochi Free via dropper. I must be honest, I don’t think Bailey likes the taste. She goes straight for the water bowl after I administer Kochi Free. In conjunction with the probiotics below, Kochi Free has helped her remain Giardia free!

FortiFlora Probiotics

One of my friends recommended Purina Fortiflora  probiotics for Bailey’s reoccurring parasites and GI issues. The probiotics come in little sachets that I rip open and sprinkle on top of kibble or wet food. I have been giving Bailey probiotics for over a year and a half. The added microorganisms have made a huge difference with her GI health.

Zesty Paws Pure Salmon Oil Dog & Cat Supplement

I only use Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats. It is made in the USA from all natural Alaskan salmon. This product provides Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to add shine and softness to Bailey’s coat, and to aide her joint function, immune system and heart health. You pump the oil into kibble or wet food and mix with a spoon. How much you pump into the food varies by weight – directions are on bottle. I have been using this for a few months, and I notice that Bailey sheds less and her coat is much softer. The foster dogs usually come to me malnourished, and the Zesty Paws Salmon Oil helps add good fat to their diet. Zesty Paws Salmon Oil is cost effective for me since I do pump this on to my cat’s dry food as well.

Glucosamine Chondroitin

Bailey is a high-energy dog. Our veterinarian cleared us to run up to ten miles. She can jump four foot fences, and gives my younger foster dogs a run for their money when playing in the backyard. I know that one day she will not be as spry, so I want to do my best to protect her joint health. I have tried numerous glucosamine chondroitin products, but Nutramax Dasuquin with MSM Soft Chews  is the product I wholeheartedly recommend. Yes, it is more expensive than other products, but it works the best. I didn’t notice much of a difference from other products, where when she is on the Dasuquin, she seems to move faster and with greater ease.

Tropiclean Fresh Breath Plaque Remover Pet Water Additive 

A big complaint from most dog owners is bad breath and tartar or decay. Professional dental cleanings are super expensive. Besides brushing Bailey’s teeth and giving her dental chews, I use a water additive to fight plaque and freshen her breath. In the morning, when I re-fill her bowl with fresh water, I add a few drops of water additive to keep her teeth clean and breath fresh. The Tropiclean Pet Water Additive  is cost effective, and I can use this in my cat’s water, too.

Final Thoughts

I always tell people, Bailey is a long term investment. I want her to be happy and healthy. The five products above aren’t time consuming and have made a significant difference in her overall health.

What do you use to keep your dog healthy?

Namaste.

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Clothing Refresher – Saving Hundreds in Dry Cleaning Costs

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* This post contains affiliate links.

At the end of March, my husband is trading his police officer uniform for a suit and tie. When we first told me about his wardrobe change, I started crunching numbers in my head. How much are new suits? Since when do you need 4 new suits?! What is dry cleaning going to cost? I asked the salesman the best way to clean suits. He informed me that suits should be cleaned like jeans. Wear them a few times, and then get them dry cleaned. Now I must tell you that my husband is the kind of guy that showers 3 times a day and wears several different outfits. (I know he is reading this shaking his head but let me review: he wears an outfit to work, changes into his uniform, then gym clothes, then comes home, showers, and wears pajamas.) He hates smelling like anything besides soap and/or cologne. When I noticed the Clothing Refresher products, I jumped at the opportunity write a product review. Between having 5 suits a week that need to smell like they were freshly laundered for my husband to wear them, and four animals that make the house smell like dirt, Clothing Refresher has come to my rescue.

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Clothing Refresher comes in three different sizes and scents:

  • 10 ml = $2 USD
  • 2 fluid ounces = $8 USD
  • 4 fluid ounces = $13 USD
  • Original Scent
  • Lavender
  • Bouquet

You can also purchase a combo package of all three scents.

I absolutely love the Bouquet scent. It is the perfect scent for spring, and has a light floral touch. The Bouquet scent is perfect to spray the living and dining room area before company arrives. My husband was partial to the Original Scent. He thought it smelled clean and fresh. The Lavender was perfect for spraying linens – our bed, couch, blankets, and throw pillows. I love a calming scent before bedtime.

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The lowdown:

  • Clothing Refresher is made with a unique blend of essential oils
  • Made in the USA, 100% Vegan & Natural
  • Contains no phthalates, parabens, dyes, phosphates or sulfates
  • Provides antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties
  • Can be used on clothing, linens, on furniture, as a room spray, or as aromatherapy

I must admit, I was a little nervous spraying Clothing Refresher on my husband’s brand new suit. I didn’t want it to stain. I followed the directions and sprayed the Original Scent Clothing Refresher on the bottom of his dress pants (I always test on an inconspicuous area) from a 6-inch distance. As police officers say when leaving a scene, “all clear!” It didn’t leave a stain, and the smell is there, but faint. I continued to spraying the entire suit. My husband has officially claimed the Original Scent bottle. That’s fine with me, as I am super thrilled we won’t have to spend a fortune on dry cleaning! Happy husband, happy life!

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Each Clothing Refresher spray neutralizes odors instead of masking them. For instance, when my foster dogs are crated, I am washing their blankets/towels almost every other day. My fosters love to play with my dog in the backyard – you know, roll in the mulch beds and dig two-foot-deep holes. Sometimes, all I have time for is to give them quick rinse in the shower, or wiping their paws with wet paper towels, causing me to clean their bedding frequently. (Obviously, if there is noticeable dirt, I throw it in the wash – but if it just smells, I use Clothing Refresher). I like using the Lavender Clothing Refresher spray on their blankets/towels, which completely removes the “dirty dog” scent. I thoroughly sprayed Granger’s crate blanket with the Lavender scent. I was unsure that such a light fragrance was going to completely remove the smell. Low and behold, the blanket was clean with a faint lavender smell. I put the blanket back in the crate and Granger instantly went to investigate. Lavender is known to be very calming and soothing, good for my fosters that are shelter shocked and scared.

I recommend Clothing Refresher. The scents are on the light side, but I rather use something natural with a faint smell (or give a few more sprays) than something artificial and that has toxins. Besides, my husband doesn’t want to smell like lavender or flowers. A big selling point for me was that Clothing Refresher didn’t stain my husband’s expensive suits, and made them ready to wear for the next day. Each bottle is travel-friendly (especially the sample size), so my husband puts the Original Scent spray into his gym bag while I stick the Lavender spray in my handbag. I give myself a quick mist at work, and am left feeling invigorated, calm, and clean. The best attribute is that a $13 for a large bottle will save me hundreds in dry cleaning.

Thank you, Clothing Refresher!

Clothing Refresher wants to offer all Realm of Vibes readers 15% off all orders valid through 5/31/17 using promocode FRESHVIBE. Shop here.

Be sure to visit Clothing Refresher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Disclosure: I received Clothing Refresher sprays in return for a featured post on Realm of Vibes and social media platforms. All opinions and views within are authentic. Have you considered featuring your business or service on Realm of Vibes? Please visit my Collaborate page or e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com to get started. 

Essential oils: My first order – and why I became a Wellness Advocate

/ realmofvibes / 14 Comments

My mentor, Kipper, of One Grace Filled Life, sent me samples of On Guard and Deep Blue essential oils. My immune system is shot; I work in a variety of nursing homes, surrounded by very sick individuals for 8-10 hours a day. I have Epstein Barr, which when active, makes me a useless human being. I have tried everything to boost my immunity, besides essential oils. I fell in love with On Guard, rubbing a few drops mixed with FCO (fractioned coconut oil) on the bottoms of my feet, neck, and hands. Even though On Guard is an energizing scent, I was falling asleep within minutes. (Essential oils react differently for some individuals.) I used Deep Blue on my lower back to help a back ache from the beginning of January. Those two samples weren’t enough, I wanted more.

I ordered the AromaTouch Diffused Kit which includes 5 mL bottles of:

  • Balance
  • On Guard
  • Lavender
  • Malaleuca
  • AromaTouch
  • Deep Blue
  • Wild Orange
  • Peppermint

It also includes:

  • Fractioned Coconut Oil (FCO), 4 oz.
  • Petal Diffuser
  • Wellness Advocate Introductory Packet

I added to my order:

  • 15 mL Slim & Sassy
  • 15 mL bottle On Guard
  • 15 mL bottle Lavender
  • On Guard Whitening Toothpaste

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Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed when my package came! I started by setting up the Petal Diffuser right next to my bed and adding a few drops of Lavender essential oil. My husband walked in the room after 15 minutes and said, “It smells like a frickin’ spa in here, Danielle!” That night, we both slept like babies!

My mom, a massage therapist, gave me a back massage with the AromaTouch essential oil. This could be applied directly to your skin, and is branded as a massage blend. My mom mixed AromaTouch with lotion and the scent was fantastic. Deep Blue, needs to be diluted with a carrier oil, such as FCO, but helps cool and soothe the skin (great for athletes).

I love adding a drop to Slim & Sassy to my water; which contains grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger and cinnamon. I get a mason jar, fill it with ice, add a drop of Slim & Sassy, fill with filtered water, and enjoy my beverage. It helps maintain my girlish figure, gives my metabolism a boost, and tastes great!

I have been using Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride-Free Toothpaste for years. (Affiliate Link) The On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste is amazing. It has a cinnamon and mint flavor. My teeth feel super clean and my breath is fresh. My husband said it was “different,” but that if it helps keep maintain his pearly whites, he has no problem using it daily.

I diffused Wild Orange, Peppermint, and Slim & Sassy in my kitchen. Wild Orange is a powerful cleanser and purifies the air. Peppermint promotes healthy respiratory function, and with this crazy NJ weather, my allergies have been out of control! The Slim & Sassy I diffuse before I go to the gym; it is energizing and uplifting.

When I am blogging, I put a drop or two of Balance, which is a grounding blend that promotes well-being and calmness, in my palms, rub together, and inhale. It is very woodsy and relaxing. It allows me to just write freely without judgment.

The Melaleuca (tea tree) oil is a favorite during my beauty regimen. I add a drop to my facial cleaner, moisturizer, or shampoo. If I don’t use the Slim & Sassy in my water, I add a drop of Melaleuca, which helps boost immunity. When we have the wood burner going, we add a few drops to the steamer, and it fills the room with a very earthy scent.

Many essential oils can be used as cleaning agents. I will update when I experiment! 🙂

Purchasing the AromaTouch Diffused Kit was a great decision. Not only was it economical, but I got to incorporate and sample 8 different essential oils.

So, Danielle, how do I order?

Option 1 – Wholesale, 25% off all products, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

With a wholesale membership, you get 25% off all products. There is no requirement to spend an amount, or to purchase every month, or to sell anything. It’s like a membership to BJ’s or Costco, except you can get the membership FREE if you buy an enrollment kit.

Purchase an enrollment kit and get free membership:

  • Click HERE. If you need my Sponsor ID, it is 4191408.
  • Choose one of the enrollment kits as your first product and the $35 USD membership fee will be waived.
  • See details on the enrollment kits here (window will open in a new tab).
  • Both my mom and I purchased the $150 USD AromaTouch Diffused Kit.

I don’t want an enrollment kit, so I will pay the $35 membership fee:

  • Sign up here with my Sponsor ID, 4191408, and choose ‘Wholesale’.
  • Choose your products ‘a la carte’, and the $35 fee will be added.
  • Membership renewal costs $25 after the first year, but you get a free bottle of Peppermint ($27.33 USD, retail).

Option 2 – Retail

I really don’t recommend this option. This is for the person who wants to order one or two oils and then very seldom, or never, order…

  • Visit my shop, click the “SHOP” tab, add your items and check-out like you would any other shopping website.
  • Thanks for shopping with me!
  • Note: I know that you see some of these products on Amazon from retailers. I would be extremely cautious ordering from retailers because you don’t know exactly where they are coming from, and if they are 100% pure. Besides, wouldn’t you want ME to guide you on your essential oil experience?

Option 3: FREE IS FOR ME! – Earn free products or build a business

  • Simply sign up here with my Sponsor ID, 4191408, when prompted, choose “Wholesale”.
  • Select the option to become a Wellness Advocate.
  • E-mail me to let me know you’ve joined; I will be HAPPY to help you get started.
  • I was hesitant to become a Wellness Advocate. I really don’t need another thing on my already full plate. If I can help myself and others through natural and holistic methods, while having fun and making money, then why not? Besides, I love trying new products (hello, product reviews!).

How do I make money and/or get free products?

  • I would be happy to discuss enrollment into a LRP (Loyalty Reward Program) with you. A LRP is like an auto-ship enrollment (like on Amazon). You can edit your order up until the day before auto-ship will take place. You earn percentages off and points. Contact me to learn more: realmofvibesdg@gmail.com.

It is super easy to implement essential oils into your life. Between diffusing them, rubbing them on your sore spots, and adding them to your favorite drink, essential oils can provide a huge therapeutic benefit, along with a pay check for my entrepreneurs.

Link to my shop: here

Namaste.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I purchased these essential oils and become a Wellness Advocate because I strongly believe and trust in the items I have used and purchased. All opinions are authentic and honest. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at realmofvibesdg@gmail.com