Share

Monday, February 2, 2026

How to work with our Lizard Brain

Did you know this? You may have heard the concept that our amygdala or lizard brain works hard to keep us "safe". I learned this concept deeply in Coaching School and here is what hit me with this idea today that I want to share with each of you because it is important: Our amygdala has a job of keeping us SAFE which means: staying the SAME. Therefore, when we step out on a limb and consider trying something new, our lizard brain will perceive that as a threat and yell "DANGER" and try to stop us from doing that "new" thing even if there is no real danger involved. Example - when we want to try something new such as: * going to a networking group and introducing ourselves in a 60 second 'commercial' in front of the group or * going live on social media or * being vulnerable about our fear of _________ or * holding a first in our business (first reach out to a potential team member, first message to a possible customer, first time to do an in person vendor event or spa experience, etc) Any of these FIRSTS can 'feel' like danger to our amygdala. So - It is super important to let our brain know: "It is ok for me to try something new. Thank you for showing up with all the alarms to make sure I am safe, but you (name your amagydala!) can go take a nap. I am safe. I am okay. I am going to try something new and I am safe. You can stand down." You will be AMAZED with the difference in telling your brain that you are SAFE and that it is ok to do something new. (I learned this technique of talking to our lizard brain and telling it to go take a nap from a Psychologist who coaches high performing kids before high stakes SAT or GRE tests and teaches them techniques to feel safe and calm. This psychologist nicknamed his amagydala "Andy" and he tells Andy that it is ok to stand down and take a nap) What happens when we tell our amygdala to stand down? Well...it slows down and quiets our lizard brain from yelling thoughts that are designed to keep us in the same place without growth because that is "safe" for our amygdala. The types of thoughts that we share with ourselves will vary, but here are a few common ones that our lizard brains will offer: You've never done this. You might fail. Who are you to try xyz? It isn't the right time. Don't do it. It could go horribly wrong. You don't have enough time. You need to research this for weeks before starting. You don't know what you are doing. What will others think? Instead, we can gently tell ourselves: I am safe. I am simply trying something new and this will help me grow. I want to do this new thing in order to ____. It is good for me to stretch, grow and try new things. I won't be perfect the first time I try something and that is ok and I am willing to do it again and again to grow and improve. Thoughts? Is this helpful? This was a game changer for me when I learned this and I hope it is helpful for at least one person.

Copyright 2026: all rights reserved.This is an original post and no AI was used. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below).

Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post and my blog (as a whole) does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Calm Lotions for Evergreen High School

Lotion Fundraiser for EHS:
Do you also find that it is hard to know how to tangibly help when tragedy occurs?



Here is what I'm doing (with your help!) for the teachers, staff and students at Evergreen High School and thank you for taking a moment to consider helping: Together, let’s bring some CALM and love to the community of Evergreen High School. Thank you SO much for linking arms to help others when there is a community hurting.
Here is how the CALM Creme fundraiser will work: If you would like to help sponsor one, two or more 16 ounce Calm Magnesium Cremes, they are $32 each and my venmo is: @Jill-Breheny with the last 4 digits of 5452 Tip: you will see my picture holding a foundation if you are on my account. A 16 ounce pump is 32.00 dollars with shipping, but you are welcome to give any amount that works best for you. There are 90 teachers and staff at Evergreen High School and we want to have a Calm Creme for each teacher as well as the entire staff. I will be donating more with my commission: For every 4 Calm Cremes that are sponsored, I will donate one more Calm Lotion so that, together, we can give more. (resulting in my entire commission being given back to EHS for more Calm Cremes when these are sponsored.)
This tragedy hit close to my home and I'm saddened for all the students, teachers and first responders who dealt with an unimaginable day on September 10th. Let’s bring them a little bit of love and self care (in the form of a CALM magnesium lotion), as they have the stress of re-entering their school. I went to a moms group with lots of these moms, so this hits close to my heart. In case you are wondering: Why Magnesium Creme? "Magnesium offers instant calming and soothing benefits and is easily absorbed into the skin". Thank you for your kindness and generosity. The simplest way to link arms is to sponsor a CALM creme with your donation of $32 (one creme), $64 (two cremes) or $96. My venmo is: @Jill-Breheny with the last 4 digits of 5452

If you prefer paypal, here is my link:
https://www.paypal.biz/JillBreheny

If you prefer to order these directly on my website, please select: ship to host and use this link
https://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/JILL/PublicUi.aspx/load-cart?lid=79dd6379-2eb0-4916-a8b7-d4a0b00011e7 When we take a moment to nurture ourselves, it does help calm our nervous system and magnesium is a big help with this goal. Another way you can help is to share this blog post with individuals who may want to help support the teachers and staff at Evergreen High School.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Prebiotics offer so many Benefits

Question: do you use Body Wash? Are you familiar with Prebiotics? This is one of my favorite stories of how a product was created in our line and it is fascinating. The Prebiotic is a revolutionary product for Lemongrass Spa and if you don't know much about prebiotics, I'm delighted to share with you here, as this is exciting news: Our Lemongrass Spa Product Developer, Mark Hessling, created the prebiotics as "health food for your skin" and the prebiotics "allow our body to thrive by focusing on the super-ecology of our body". Mark Hessling was the FIRST person to develop prebiotics and he has been doing this for twenty-five years. He worked with the World Health Organization on Cancer and he has used prebiotics to clean up environmental spills by using the natural kelp prebiotic formulation to naturally clean environmental spills. Here is what I share about that at my events: "When you add chemicals to clean up a chemical spill, you just have more chemicals. Our in-house product manager developed a plant based prebiotic that will naturally clean and eat the bad bacteria and encourage the good and healthy bacteria. This growth of healthy bacteria is true for our skin and we are receiving incredible testimonials on these prebiotics from our customers."
With the NEW 3 in 1 Prebiotic Wash, this ONE bottle will replace three bottles in your shower and that will save you money, and the prebiotic wash actually helps clean the water as it goes down the drain. Think about that for a moment: When we switch to a GREEN and earth friendly prebiotic wash, it means that when we use this product, "it leaves NO footprint on the environment". Not only that, but Mark shared that "it will help to remove heavy metals and compounds in the environment". Isn't that incredible? This Prebiotic Wash will "balance your body's ecosystem; the microbiological zoo." Mark Hessling

Copyright 2023: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below). Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post and my blog (as a whole) does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Thursday, June 24, 2021

What if....?

Have you ever asked yourself: “What if…” and then took that leap of faith and believed in yourself to take that next step? I would love to hear your experience!

Professionally, there have been two times that stand out where I took that leap even though it was unknown territory and I had massive butterflies and a good amount of healthy fear about whether it would work out or not!

The first “what if” was when my husband and I were first married and I had finished my second year of teaching middle school in Colorado and we made the commitment to move to NYC with zero jobs lined up. I’m a huge planner so this was definitely an exercise in trust for me. It was terrifying, exhilarating, exhausting, exciting and, gratefully, it turned out beautifully. By the time we left NYC, I had been promoted multiple times and moved from the reception desk to being a Director of Human Resources on the East Coast, overseeing five states and over twenty five facilities and 1,400 employees. It all worked out phenomenally, but it was a huge leap of faith.

The second time I asked myself “What if” was when I was a brand new mom and wondered if I could have success in direct sales. I didn’t make the final decision until I sat eyeball to eyeball with our owner and founder at her kitchen table and asked her every question I could think of and more. A couple minutes into our conversation, I felt completely at ease with who she was and so I decided to trust my abilities and try something I had never done before. After all, the start-up cost was affordable and the risk was low. Since I had vetted our owner, I knew I could trust her and I believed in her vision. Instead of creating natural products to go direct to a retail store shelf, she chose the more complicated path of selling her products via direct sales so she could impact individual’s lives on a personal level. She chose the tougher path for herself to make a BIGGER impact for individuals like myself. I was all in and made the decision to believe in myself. I started my journey with a team of one and now have the privilege of working with hundreds on my team and I grow and learn new business ideas every single day. I’m never bored and there is always something to learn and I feel appreciated and valued.

Have you ever asked yourself, “What if?” Have you taken a leap of faith that made all the difference? That last sentence reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem that I always shared with my students: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

One of the best things about working for myself is that I have been able to decide how to work and when to work so this fit in beautifully when I had babies who napped sometimes and not other times, and it also works now. I don’t have to miss any of the important events with my family and I never have to get anyone to ‘cover my shift’ since I determine my schedule and define what success means to me.

What could this mean for you? Let me know if you would like to have a conversation and if I can help you determine if this could be your “What if” moment!

p.s. We have something special happening, so let me know if you would like me to message you the fun details. Simply comment below or send me a pm if you want to hear about it. (Hint: it is only available for a few days)

Here is to BELIEVING that your “What if…..” will turn out phenomenal for you.

Copyright 2021: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below). Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill

Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill

Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post and my blog (as a whole) does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Trying something NEW

Encouraging thoughts for anyone trying something new in your business or life this month: It helps to have a guide and follow along with someone who has walked the path at least once. Case in point: I purchased this lettering book and although there are lots of instructions, I wasn’t able to look at those and then replicate the letters on a blank page and get a satisfying result. The instructions were plentiful, but I was a novice and moving from reading what to do to a blank page was a bit daunting. It created a disappointing result when I tried this myself. So....I purchased some tracing paper and I’ll use this technique until I have enough practice!
The same is true in our business! When we try something for the first time, there is value in following along and tracing over the steps that are working well for someone else instead of hitting frustration.
What are you trying in your business this month that is new for you or that you have not perfected? Could you benefit from walking alongside and learning from what someone else has figured out about that already?
Copyright 2021: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below). Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post and my blog (as a whole) does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Sunday Reflection

Sunday moment:
Are you walking in your passion and do you adore your work, or do you dread Mondays? Are you living life 'full out' or playing it small?

Don't you love to ponder: "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"
and my question for you today is:

Knowing all of the talents and inherent gifts that you have, are you currently contributing in the most impactful and profound way OR do you know that you have more to offer and give to others? How would it feel to be able to live your most abundant life?

One thing I know for sure about direct sales is that it is a profound self-growth journey and even though I was a teacher (where I contributed directly to my student's lives) and a Human Resources Director, where I worked with 1,400 employees, this is the work that I am meant to do. Absolutely, I offer natural and organic head-to-toe products that swap all the toxic ingredients out of people's routines and make a difference, but what makes my heart sing is being able to ENCOURAGE and impact other's lives by helping them reach their level of success.

Here is the thing: no one begins knowing how to do everything (I had never been in sales) and so the goal is to learn more each day and keep improving...a little bit at a time. What I love about our team is that we share the best strategies and ideas with one another and no one walks alone.

What would it mean for you if you had work that you adored and someone to walk alongside you and encourage you and recognize your efforts? What if you could finally take those items off your 'dream list' or vision board and enjoy them in your current life? If you have been putting your life on lay-away ....."I'll enjoy it when......", then let's talk.

We have an amazing opportunity in February so let me know if you want a few more details or have any questions for me. Now....more than ever....no one walks alone and I would be honored to walk alongside you.
Copyright 2021: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below). Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post and my blog (as a whole) does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

We have all been seeing the FB post to show a photo of yourself 10 years ago and then also a recent photo to share a fun 'anti-aging' post. I'm going to flip that concept a bit and challenge you to share as well: What would my younger self share with my 'today' self that would benefit me right now? (I'm holding a photo from 30+ years ago because we don't age much in 10 years unless you are a young friend of mine in your twenties!)


Here are a few things that came to mind:
* Get outside more!
* Laugh with friends until you are doubled over and your side hurts so much that you gasp for air and then you do it all over again.
* Have a fierce belief in your future self.
* Be more silly, color in those coloring books, jump on a sled and relish in the times to play in life.
* Believe in all the possibilities.
What would my current 'self' be able to teach my younger self:
* Forget about what anyone else thinks of you; that is absolutely none of your business.
* It isn't your job to solve all the conflicts and hold space for all of that......let others work out more of their stuff on their own and you can be there to talk before and after, but it isn't all of yours to hold, solve and resolve.
* Be a lot lighter- that 'permanent file' that supposedly follows us around everywhere doesn't exist in the way you think it does.
* Holding on to tough memories is extremely heavy. Learn how to dig deep, walk through what you need to walk through and put down that baggage sooner.
* Enjoy it all: the laughter, the tears, the deep conversations, and the awesome discoveries of each new phase of your life.
* Don't worry about getting older; life gets better as we learn more about ourselves and those we love.
* Don't wear those horrible '80s jeans that were so skin tight that you couldn't breathe well when they were zipped up. Proudly wear what you want to wear.
* Know that there will be many, many times in your life that you will feel helpless and clueless. The anti-dote is to seek the advice and counsel and wisdom of those who have walked that particular journey of grief or pain before you and allow them to help show you the way.
* Keep praying: You are called to be someone you are not today.

Let's hashtag this: #Lessonsfromyouth #LessonsfromMyCurrentViewpoint

Saturday, November 28, 2020

GWiB - Holiday Showcase - Jill Breheny from Lemongrass Spa Products with...

Happy Holidays!

Here is a fun feature from our Golden Women in Business Holiday Showcase. We filmed this before we moved to level red in our state and we had so much fun together. Enjoy watching all the videos at this link:

https://www.goldenwomeninbusiness.com/upcoming-events/virtual-holiday-showcase If I can help you with any of your holiday shopping this season, don't hesitate to let me know.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Sweet Sixteen

In October, it is so much fun to celebrate my anniversary with Lemongrass Spa Products and I'm grateful to be rejoicing with my "Sweet 16" anniversary this year. When I started on this journey, I had never been in sales, but I had always been in sales because I am the type of person that if I find something that is outrageously amazing, I am going to share it with YOU. I knew I would be able to share and my desire was huge. You see, I didn't know all the steps that it would take to get strong at sharing with others or how to build a team or sell enough to make an impact or how to earn promotions and I didn't need to know all the steps when I started. I just needed to begin.
I listened to an awesome talk by John Maxwell last night that sums it up (my paraphrase): When you begin something, you don't need to be perfect and you don't need to hit all your goals, you just need to have a deep DESIRE. That desire will help you as you fail through your first several attempts and then you just keep going because your DESIRE to MAKE an IMPACT is what matters. #Truth My favorite aspect of my business is being able to make an impact. I have been able to make a difference in helping countless families toss the toxic ingredients out of their every-day routines and instead, use pure, natural and organic ingredients from head-to-toe. That matters a great deal to me. It mattered sixteen years ago and it matters even more today. I'm so grateful to my phenomenal customers who have partnered with me to bless so many non-profits and individuals with fundraisers. What a blessing! I have been able to make an impact by being an ENCOURAGER and helping others find their passion as they begin their Lemongrass Spa business. It started with my saying 'yes' on October 1st and signing that piece of paper at our owner's home and taking my kit home to dream big and make my plans!
I'm so grateful to have the privilege of encouraging the leaders on my team and all those in our organization who said YES to their dream as well. Some of the 1,861 women and men on our team said 'yes' to beginning in order to have SAFER products for their family and others wanted to replace or supplement their income so they could have Time Freedom by setting their own hours and making their own decisions about the income they want to make. Our organization shared more than $4.8 million in safe and healthy Lemongrass Spa Products during our conference year of 2019/2020. That is something to be celebrated among our organization, to be sure.
I am so honored to work alongside some of the most positive, encouraging, motivated, caring and enthusiastic individuals who desire a healthier lifestyle with their head-to-toe necessities but also a healthier relationship with the amount of time they spend working. These phenomenal individuals have their own dream and their own mission and they motivate me daily. I could not be happier to have signed that piece of paper sixteen years ago, which enabled me to build relationships that will last a lifetime. I’m humbled that my saying ‘yes’, meant that opened the door for the 1,861 individuals on my team.
Thanks for taking a moment to celebrate with me! The truth is, I have trouble sharing these types of milestones because I don't like to put the focus on myself, but I was encouraged this week that this celebration is about sharing what is POSSIBLE and (most importantly), celebrating my team. If I started with a team of ONE (me, myself and I), and have built a dynamic, phenomenal, compassionate, motivated and caring organization of eighteen hundred STRONG individuals, so can you. If I have had multiple promotions, so can you. If I have earned seven spa incentive trips, so can you! If I can make an impact, so can you. I believe that wholeheartedly. It all begins with saying ‘yes’ and having a deep desire to make a difference. The truth is: none of us do this alone. Not one of us figures out everything on our own. Our team culture is that we encourage one another, we help one another, we share with one another, we problem solve with one another and we brainstorm with one another. Together, we become stronger and more innovative and more empowered. I am blessed! As Wendy Gerlach shares, "Together we are stronger." During Covid, we have strengthened our relationships with our customers and have found a way to serve them well. I hope you are staying healthy and safe. We proudly ship all across the USA so let me know if I may help you or serve you.
Copyright 2020: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below). Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post and my blog (as a whole) does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Having a Plan B can make an Impact

I know many parents who have decided to cut back on their work hours in order to be available for their children who are navigating online school. One friend shared that they need to have two internet routers in their home to support her husband's work and also three boys who are fully participating in online school. The bandwidth on one system was simply not enough so they are paying for two. Other parents need to be present to support their special needs child during this flux and helping them with a hybrid school schedule or a full time at-home online school scenario. Financial news: "Parents of younger children are in a very tenuous position. According to a new survey from COUNTRY Financial, to accommodate the changes in the 2020 school season, 21% of parents have had to cut back their workload, and 7% have even had to quit their jobs altogether. With less money coming into the household coffers, 70% of these parents say they’ve had to delay payment on at least one of their monthly bills." Jean Chatzky This is a time where direct sales (especially working an Online Lemongrass Spa business) could SAVE the day! If you know anyone that would benefit from learning more about Lemongrass Spa Products, I'm open to sharing my success and experience over a zoom and a coffee. I tell my newest team members that they will not need to create systems from scratch, as we have a culture of sharing ideas and strategies. I have years of experience with Lemongrass Spa and love to share proven strategies that work with my team. I adore linking arms and helping my newest team members meet THEIR goals. #BecauseofLemongrassSpa #OnlineSolutions #2020PivotPlan
One of the best aspects is that we have what individuals and families need to purchase including: natural hand soaps with tea tree and citrus organic mascara nourishing lotions with no fillers prebiotic body wash organic lipgloss natural hand sanitizer Organic Essential Oils that are USDA Certified Organic Whipped Body Butter Healing Elements Balm delicious fall aromas natural deodorant a baby line a line just for a new mama a men's line Anti Aging Facial Care and much more.... Coming soon: Our holiday scents that are derived from organic essential oils and plants. We never use chemical fragrances. On your own timeline, take a peek at all of the benefits of beginning your Lemongrass Spa journey here: https://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/JILL/content/join-my-team.aspx What speaks to you? Are you looking for: Time Freedom (setting your OWN hours!) Making an Impact through Fundraisers Creating a Vacation Fund or Bridging the GAP during this time Inspiring Others to make the switch to a natural and organic product line and kick toxins out of their home.
Copyright 2020: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below). Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor. Disclaimer: This blog post does not make any financial guarantees or promises.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Prebiotics in skincare is Revolutionary

One of my favorite stories to tell about our line is how our Prebiotics were developed ‘on accident’. You see, an Environmental Scientist was tasked with cleaning up chemical spills in lakes & waterways and he developed a kelp and Prebiotic recipe that was quite effective at over-taking the chemical brew. His lead Scientist would stir the batches and he noticed that where the Prebiotic mixture was splashing on his arm (during the mixing), that it was clearing up his eczema.

Eureka Moment: Mark realized that he had also developed a powerful product that would help encourage the healthy bacteria to THRIVE on our skin.

How amazing is that? Mark describes our Prebiotic Line as “Health Food for our Skin”. He worked on prebiotics for twenty four years and introduced it to Lemongrass Spa. He shares, “the healthier your skin is, the less susceptible you are to damage and disease.”

For me, I noticed a difference in the texture of my skin the very first time I used our Prebiotic Body Wash. My skin was softer and a smoother texture that was more moisturized. Another gem from our product developer: “Prebiotics are designed to clean without stripping the good ecology on our skin that is supposed to be there as a shield. They promote a continued sealing and healing process to the body.”
Added Benefit: the more we use the Prebiotic products, the more we are helping to keep our water system healthy. Full Circle: remember that this product began as a solution to clean up chemical spills in the environment. Fast forward to thousands of people using this as hand soap, body wash and face wash. Now~ consider the impact of sending prebiotics down your shower or kitchen drain versus a chemical brew. You can make an impact!

#onesmallchange
#healthfoodforyourskin #LemongrassJill

Copyright 2020: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below).

Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill
Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill

Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Creative Crayon Creations

Do you enjoy a fun and relaxing craft that is not technical? In other words, how about a "craft" that is pretty foolproof and uncomplicated?

For several years now, one of the fun activities that I enjoy doing with my kids every so often is to create our own color combinations with crayons. It is a pretty simple process and the toughest element is just getting the paper wrappers off the crayons.

It is fun to begin by choosing a few color combinations and if you are using a miniature muffin tin, about three or four crayons per tin will be plenty. Choose your favorite color combos first:


Next: take the time to remove all of the paper wrapper and this is the most time consuming portion of the craft.

Once all the wrappers have been removed, it is great to chop the crayons into tiny pieces so that you can arrange them in the muffin tin for baking/melting. I do recommend to cut the crayons on a paper plate instead of a cutting board because I did permanently destroy a cutting board one time since the wax penetrates pretty deeply.

Once you have the bits of crayons chopped and ready to go in the muffin tin, just gently arrange them and fill the miniature muffin tins to the top with the crayon bits. One hint is that you want to make sure that your final crayons are thick enough that they will not break easily when you are using them to color. Therefore, filling up the muffin tins generously works well.


Meanwhile, preheat the oven to the lowest setting or 200 degrees. I have found that about 20 minutes is long enough to melt the crayon pieces and then I simply shut off the oven and allow the melted crayons to set. Here they are still warm and not quite finished:

If possible, you can leave the crayons in the oven and just allow them to come to room temperature on their own. If you need the oven, you may gently remove the muffin tin and allow to cool on the counter. Wait a few hours before removing from the tins and they will just slide right out of the mold or muffin tin.
Finished product:

Have fun creating your own unique creations and starting your own DIY crayola tradition!

Monday, April 8, 2019

Safe Sunscreen Tips

What is the most important information to know about Sunscreen Choices and making sure that there is excellent UVA and UVB coverage to protect against skin cancer risk?

Our Lemongrass Spa Sports Stick sunscreen is a physical barrier (reflective) sunblock that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. We also do not use nano-particles. Nano-particles absorb as deeply as the bloodstream and should be avoided! Lemongrass Spa Products never uses nano-particles in any of our products and our entire line is also gluten free and cruelty free.

Your family won’t mind using our Sports Stick with 30 SPF because it does not feel sticky or clog your pores. My favorite way to use our Sunscreen Sports Stick is to apply "cheetah" dots and then rub those in. There are a few things that I adore about this when using on my own skin or on young children: you can literally 'see' what you have covered and what you have missed. I recommend the tinted Sunscreen Sports Stick, as this will warm up to your skin tone and not leave you with the white color from the version without the minerals.
https://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/JILL/shop/PRODUCTDETAIL.aspx?prod=L3343

Tips from my Doctor about the SPF of 15 versus 30:

“The amount of additional UV blocking from 30 over 15 is trivial. In other words, 45 SPF is not 3 times more blocking than 15). I would use at least 15. Two coats is better than one (like painting a house) and reapplication at 3-4 hours is also important no matter what SPF you choose.” Dr. Becky MD

Note: know yourself! I have to re-apply sunscreen every two hours because I am very fair; waiting three to four hours to re-apply would be a disaster for me!

Here is a helpful definition of SPF from a dermatologist pamphlet:
“SPF is a measurement of how long you can stay in the sun with sunscreen before getting burned. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 15, for example, means that it will take 15 times longer for your skin to begin to burn than it would without sunscreen. However, sunscreens should not be used to increase the time you spend in intense sunlight.”

Be sunscreen smart:
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States: An estimated 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age sixty-five will get it at least once. Look for full spectrum protection. The safest and most effective sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays and form an actual barrier between your skin and sunlight. Ingredients to look for: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Go for a High SPF: The American Cancer Society recommends a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Higher SPFS offer more protection, but above SPF 30, there’s not much difference.

Most important, coat the skin, or sunscreen isn’t effective—and reapply frequently (especially on the face, shoulders, neck, forearms, hands and feet) as the lotion breaks down in the sun and comes off in the water.” From Healthy Child Healthy World (book) by Christopher Gavigan

Here is another UVA and UVB description from a pamphlet from a Dermatologist Office:
“UVB Rays:
• Penetrate the outer layer of skin, causing damage to skin cells
• Are the primary cause of sunburn
• Can play a part in the formation of skin cancer with frequent or intense
exposure.

UVA Rays:
• Can pass through window glass and penetrate deep into the layers of the skin
• Contribute to premature sins of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles
• Can play a part in the formation of skin cancer with frequent or intense
exposure”

If you use moisturizers and serums, when should you apply sunscreen?

“Which product should I put on my face first? Moisturizer? Sunscreen? Serum?
Answer from Valerie Monroe, Beauty Editor of O Magazine:
“A sunscreen with a physical block like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can be applied last, after a serum or moisturizer. Apply barrier sunscreens last.”



Copyright 2019: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below).

Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill
Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill

Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

The importance of using Organic Tampons and Pads

One of the things I share in my talk or presentation for women about making ONE healthy change at a time, is how crucial it is to switch to Organic Cotton pads and tampons immediately. I highly recommend that you throw out the conventional ones today. It truly is not worth using the conventional products (full of pesticides and other chemicals) for one more day.

Why Does this Matter?

Cotton is the #1 most sprayed crop and we use more pesticides on cotton than any other crop so we don't want to use cotton that is full of pesticides with our feminine products. I cannot even count how many women have reached out to me after my presentation at their networking group or Mom's group to share that they are no longer experiencing intense cramping, a feeling of nausea or even migraines during their cycle. The change they made was to ditch the chemically-laden feminine products and switch to organic cotton. Now...for some individuals...these symptoms subside as opposed to going completely away, but isn't that worth it as well?

** Let me know if you already knew this information OR if this is news to you by commenting below. Even if you don't use feminine products anymore, please consider sharing this with a woman or teenager in your life that could benefit from this information. **

I often get asked where organic feminine products may be purchased and here is the answer:

* Your local health food store
* Online stores, especially those that are health-minded and offer products that are organic.

The brand that I personally use is NatraCare, but there are other wonderful companies as well.

I would appreciate hearing your comments about whether this information made a difference for you.


Copyright 2019: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below).

Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill
Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill

Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Simple Self Care Rituals

At a recent pampering evening for women, I was deeply reminded about why I started my Lemongrass Spa journey almost fifteen years ago. The evening was so wonderful, and gave women the opportunity to enjoy a massage, a therapeutic foot soak, an experience to make herbal tea, get a spine assessment and enjoy a hand spa treatment with me. There were also many other opportunities for women to choose from and even though it was a cold and snowy evening, the warmth in the room was palpable.


At the end of the evening, there was one more give-away and Dr. Patti was gathering any ticket stubs from the front area when a mom sat down near me. I asked her if she wanted to enjoy a hand spa treatment and with a contented look on her face, she shared, "Thank you, but I'm really good." I asked her what she had enjoyed that evening and she had taken in the evening fully, experiencing a massage, a foot soak and much more. She shared that this evening was her first evening out since having a newborn and I was absolutely thrilled for her. Moms with small babies find it difficult to step away and take time for themselves, especially if they are on a breastfeeding schedule with their baby. The look of bliss on this mom's face was so wonderful and made me feel so happy for her.

This moment with this mom took me back to my first spa evening in my neighbor's home, where I was the guest and we started the evening with a thirty minute massage, then enjoyed a hand spa and finished with a relaxing foot soak. I was in love with the experience and the idea that, as a busy mom, I could do something like this for myself in my home. It was the start of something much larger for me and in that moment, as I was being poured in to, I realized it had been a very long time since I had truly done anything for myself.

Something consistent I have noticed over the past couple of years is that women want me to explain more and more how to explore a simple self-care ritual in their daily lives. Incorporating self-care in the midst of such a busy world is crucial and I think the simpler the self-care ritual is, the better. Some examples include: a one-minute body polish treatment on our hands, a walk around the block, rubbing peppermint balm on our pressure points, taking a bath, sitting quietly in a cozy chair without any technology interruptions, enjoying a cup of tea or whatever is relaxing and calming for you.

What is your favorite simple self-care ritual?
Do you find ways to incorporate it into your week? If not, imagine yourself putting that self-care time in to your schedule. How would that change your outlook for the day or the week for you?

Copyright 2019: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below).

Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill
Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill

Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am not a medical expert and I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ. If you have a medical condition, please talk to your doctor.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

December 2018 Holiday Boutiques

Do you love to experience curated holiday boutiques with unique, hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind items for your Christmas or Hanukkah gift giving needs?

Please come by and see me at one of these events in December or make a private holiday shopping appointment with me during the week if that is easier for your schedule. Our holiday shipping deadlines are approaching quickly, so reach out to me if I may help:
LemongrassJill@Gmail.com

Here are three places you can come see me in person and try all of my holiday scents (Perfectly Pumpkin, Sugar Petals, Gingerbread Spice and Apple Spice) in person. This is also a wonderful way to see all of the gift sets face to face as well.

December 1st (Saturday) from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
This Holiday Craft Fair is hosted by Stacey Schalk of Berkshire Hathaway
Address: 11990 Grant Street Northglenn CO
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/915735011970563/
Not only will you be able to peruse holiday ideas from OneHope Wine, Pampered Chef, Wildtree Organics, Lemongrass Spa Products, handpainted items, Norwex, Premier Jewelry and several other companies, but when you attend this event in person, you can enter yourself for a chance to win a $250.00 Visa Gift Card. Isn't that amazing?


December 8th (Saturday) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
High Point Academy is hosting a Winter Craft Fair
Address: 6750 North Dunkirk Street, Aurora, Colorado 80019
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/537601646711668/
The High Point Academy Winter Craft Fair is a must-attend seasonal event, especially for all those looking for holiday fun, gifts, and one-of-a-kind wares. A wide variety of exceptional goods will be offered for sale from craft vendors and artisans from throughout the Front Range. Attendees may participate in a penny raffle with terrific prizes, such as Arapahoe Basin lift tickets, Georgetown Loop Railroad family four pack, Denver Theater of Performing Arts tickets, and much more. Children will have the opportunity to take pictures with two characters: the “Snow Queen” and her “Snowman,” both of whom like warm hugs. They may also participate in free, kid-friendly crafts.


December 12th (Wednesday) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Holiday Boutique at Switchboard Networking
Address:
1975 W. 120th Ave. Unit #800
Westminster, Colorado 80234
Join several solo-preneurs to complete your holiday shopping, all while enjoying a fun and festive atmosphere at Switchboard Networking Boutique. This event will be short and sweet (only two hours long), so be sure to come at the beginning of the evening so you will have plenty of time to meet each vendor and get the personalized help you desire on your holiday list.

December 13th (Thursday) from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Address: My Meeting Place in Littleton CO
5500 S. Simms St. Unit O
Littleton, Colorado 80127
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2251271285153088/
Join a wonderful group of entrepreneurs as we showcase our favorite holiday items for you at a cozy spot called: My Meeting Place. Come enjoy a relaxed environment without any of the hassle of the shopping mall. We will have so many gift opens for you. You can also find organic pet treats at this venue. Come support local businesses for a quick stop and shop on a THURSDAY! Get your holiday shopping out of the way before the weekend. Vendors include Damsel in Defense, Pure Romance, LulaRoe, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One Gifts, One Hope Wine, Lemongrass Spa, Norwex and Threads Worldwide. Each company gives back to an organization or local communities in need! Pick up something good for the pets under the tree right next door at Pet Wants!

As shared, if you prefer to make a private appointment with me and would like some personal shopping assistance, I'm happy to help.


Saturday, July 29, 2017

Lessons from Windsurfing

Lessons Learned from windsurfing in June after a thirty (30) year hiatus:

* Gather your balance and breathe in before lifting the sail.
Lesson: make a plan before trying something new and breathe deeply to center yourself.

* Always have the wind at your back.
Lesson: you will build up momentum, so be strategic about having the momentum push you in a positive and helpful direction.

* Bend your knees.
Lesson: be flexible and be ready to move with the inevitable waves instead of letting them knock you off course.

* Keep your back straight.
Lesson: be sure of yourself and don't shrink down. Standing firmly keeps you steady.

* Have your feet in a strong position.
Lesson: be grounded and know where you are going.

* Be aware of the wave 🌊 cycle because when you know they're coming, you can bend into them.
Lesson: some challenges will be unexpected, but leaning into them helps you stay steady. Stiffening and resisting the waves is a sure bet that you will lose your balance. Note: I learned this the hard way when I jumped back up on the board immediately after a wave knocked me off and I didn't time my re-boarding with the wave pattern....lesson learned!

* You can expect to fall in the ocean when windsurfing hasn't been experienced for thirty years.
Lesson: small failures are part of the process so don't stress too much about them.
Instead, brush them off and get back on.

* When it is time to turn around, slowly pivot your sail, allow the front of your board to turn towards the shore and slowly walk around the board. Begin sailing again with the wind at your back.
Lesson: a 180 degree turn takes care and decisive movement.

* Don't be afraid to retry something you haven't done in a long time. I had not windsurfed for thirty years and it was so exhilirating to try this again.
Lesson: challenges keep us young and it is helpful to trust that you will remember what is important. Breathe in and take on the challenge and be willing to learn the inevitable lessons.

Celebrate your willingness to grow and learn.

#windsurfinginJamaica
#lifelessons
#becauseofLemongrassSpa
#SpaIncentiveTrip
#stayyoung
#LemongrassJill



Copyright 2017: all rights reserved. If you copy and share this post, you must include all information posted here through the full disclaimer (below).

Thank you for "liking" my business page to stay in touch: www.Facebook.com/LemongrassJill
Enjoy perusing my online catalog of healthy head to toe necessities here if you want to learn more about our line: www.OurLemongrassSpa.com/Jill

Ask to join my VIP Lemongrass Spa group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/460348764332517/

Disclaimer: this blog post is not to be interpreted or used as medical advice or expertise. I am highlighting or sharing my personal experience in this blog so please know that individual results may vary or differ.