Clutter- Hoarder or OCD Neat Freak?


I have always been a "neat freak." I guess I have never understood how people can live and function in disarray. I get anxiety when I have too many emails in my inbox... Most people have no idea how much their clutter affects them. It is only when you start clearing it out that you will realize how much better you feel without it!  

Having Clutter Can Make You Feel Tired and Lethargic

Most people who have clutter say they can't even find the energy to begin to clear it. They constantly feel tired. But the stagnant energy that stacks up around clutter actually causes tiredness and lethargy. Clearing it frees up the energy in your home and releases new vitality in your body. Ever notice how much better you feel after you clean your house or clean out a closet? Almost a "freeing" feeling! 

Having Clutter can Keep You in the Past

When all your available space is filled with clutter, there is no room for anything new to come into your life. Your thoughts tend to dwell in the past, and you feel bogged down with problems that have consumed you for some time. Clearing your clutter allows you to begin to deal with your problems and move forward. You have to release the past to create a better tomorrow. I am almost done sorting through and purging things from my old house I no longer need when I was married and I feel so much lighter! 

Having Clutter Can Affect Your Body Weight

A curious fact I have noticed over the years is that people who have lots of clutter in their homes are often overweight. I believe this is because both body fat and clutter are forms of self-protection. By building layers of fat or clutter around yourself, you hope to cushion yourself against the shocks of life, and particularly against emotions you have difficulty handling. It gives you the illusion of being able to control things and prevent them from affecting you too deeply. But this is an illusion.

Having Clutter Can Confuse You

When you live surrounded by clutter, it is impossible to have clarity about what you are doing in your life. When you clear it, you get fewer colds, you can think more clearly, and life decisions become easier. You also know where everything is when you are organized and spend less time and energy searching for the items you are missing. Being clear of clutter is one of the greatest aids I know to discovering and manifesting the life you want. 

Having Clutter Can Affect the Way People Treat You

People treat you the way you treat yourself. So if you value yourself and look after yourself, people will treat you well. If you allow the junk to mount up around you, you may attract people who mistreat you in some way because subconsciously you will feel that it is what you deserve.

Having Clutter Can Make You Feel Ashamed

Perhaps you have reached the stage where your home is so cluttered and such a mess that you are ashamed to invite people over and positively panic if anyone turns up unannounced. You can live in lonely isolation with your junk, but wouldn't you prefer to have a good clear-out, repair your self-esteem, and regenerate your social life with confidence?

Just a few things to consider! It's time to Spring clean your home, as well as your LIFE! :-) 




www.care2.com

Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.


www.optimumwellnessmn.com

Easter Baskets: What's Inside?


EASTER: chocolate bunnies, candy, jellybeans, Cadbury Creme Eggs, Peeps... 

What I See: high fructose corn syrup, refined sugars, colorings, GMO ingredients, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, and etc. ;-) 

If you are looking for a few healthier options for your children's Easter baskets here are some ideas:


Larabars  (peanut butter cookie and apple pie... Mmmmm) 
Yummy Earth Organic Candies (they have these at Walgreens in Spencer, Iowa or check your local health food store)
Organic Dark Chocolate Bars 
Popcorn (Make your own on the stovetop with coconut oil, organic non-GMO popcorn, sea salt- place in small bags or containers) 

Coloring Books and Crayons
Craft Kits (look for these at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or other craft stores) 
Cards or Board Games
Legos 
Gift Cards (movie theaters, amusement parks, museums, arcades, art classes, Itunes, Amazon, salon, etc)
Headbands/hair clips
DVDs
Books
Smart Phone Cover
Stickers


Balls 
Squirt Guns
Yard Games
Sidewalk Chalk
Sunglasses
Flip Flops
Seeds and Planting Pots
Umbrella
Bug Catching Kit
"Date with Dad" or other Coupons (homemade gifts are the best!)

**Check out your local Dollar Store, Target $1 section,  or Wal-mart for inexpensive items!





Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.


Cooking Classes in April

Hello all! I just wanted to invite you to a few upcoming health classes I am teaching through Iowa Lakes Community College. Please help me spread the word! Thank you! 


Super Smoothies Made Simple $35 

Course #: 54293 Date: 4/8/14
Site: Spirit Lake Time: 6-7pm (Tues.)

Smoothies can be a nutrient-filled quick and easy meal or snack!! I will share some of my favorite recipes and ingredients that are best for energy, clearer skin, weight loss, inflammation, cancer killing, and cleansing the body! Samples included!





Cooking With Quinoa $35 

Course #: 54296 Date: 4/15/14
Site: Emmetsburg (732) Time: 6-8pm (Tues.)

Quinoa- a superseed! Learn how to cook up a delicious dish and explain the health benefits of this wonderful gluten and grain-free ingredient! Tasty samples and more recipes will be provided!



Please contact Iowa Lakes Community College to register. 712.362.7231

If you are unable to attend the classes check out my Clean Eating Recipe Ebooks on my website. 



Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

1 Year

Today marks one year exactly since moving back to Iowa. I arrived with $50 in my bank account, an enormous feeling of defeat in many areas of my life and wanted to give up altogether. I was pawning off my belongings in Minneapolis to pay my rent, on a vicious cycle with my eating disorder, depressed, and letting my divorce ruin me. I didn't want to give up but knew if I didn't make some decisions I would be dead before I was 31 years old. I was so stressed out I was making myself sick with worry.

This past year I've made huge progress with loving and taking better care of myself and have helped many others in the process.  I've accomplished things I never thought possible: opened up an office here to run my business, made a few amazing new friends, spent some much needed time with my family, paid off my credit card, inspired others to live a healthy lifestyle and take control of their health, touched hearts, saved lives, and now have money in my bank account from my own hard work and dedication!

Am I 100% fully healed? No, but I will always be a work in progress. I am thankful my family has been here for me. I don't know how many times I came home and have been lucky to give my mom a hug whenever I needed one! I now realize my family loves and cares about me more than I ever thought through a handful of deep life conversations. 

I'm writing this to encourage others. Whatever you are currently dealing with, big or small, or what your past looks like, there is still hope! Reach out to those who love you and choose a different path. It may not be easy at first but get up, show up, and work on improving yourself each and every day! We all have a story-this is your life, find your passion, lead by example, love and believe in yourself, and don't let setbacks crush you completely! Radiate your true self, be fearless and take chances! Challenges are what cause growth.  I'm looking forward to my next steps and plan on enjoying the journey! Sending you some love and sunshine today! :-)






Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.


Food is Love

I follow a few women who are recovering from eating disorders on my Instagram account. One woman uses a heart plate just like this one every time she eats.



I think we could all learn from this. Food is fuel and nourishment for our bodies; what we put into it should reflect the love we have for ourselves. Choose to eat only the foods that help heal your body and feed your soul! So many people use and abuse food to distract them from their emotions and life.  Love should go into your food...organic, natural, and from the Earth, not chemicals and man-made from a factory or from animals that have been treated inhumanely and don't see the light of day!  Every time you sit down to eat think about how the food on your plate directly impacts your cells, body, mind, and energy!   I love this affirmation! 




Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.