Letting Go of Negative Feelings

I mentioned before that when moving my blog content to a different platform, I lost a lot of my posts. So luckily I was able to find them all and would like to periodically re-post them here again. Although I wrote this one a few years ago when I was pregnant with Brooklyn, it was still a great reminder for me even in my life today. 

(Written in 2011)

In my attempt to prepare myself for natural childbirth I’m reading all kinds of books. At the moment I’m reading  Painless Childbirth: An Empowering Journey Through Pregnancy and Childbirth. This book can get a little too deep for my liking but I’m still learning a great deal from it. The part that stood out to me the most is when she talks about letting go of negative feelings to better prepare yourself for a painless childbirth. She explains that hypnotherapy can be a great way to get to the root of these unwanted feelings, and how powerful our subconscious mind can be. It’s really helping me analyze my life and release the negative feelings that are causing me a bit of stress.

There are a few things I’m working through right now (in my mind) and one of them has to do with a long lost friend. Someone I became really close to at one point. I haven’t seen or heard from her in over 5 years, and the last time I saw her was when I ran into her at a store. She was very cold and acted as if she didn’t even know me.  I knew instantly that something was wrong, this was not the excited bubbly friend I knew. I never saw her upset, and she was always so enthusiastic when ever we got together or talked on the phone. I left the store feeling overwhelmed with sadness and confusion. I didn’t know what happened. I replayed our last conversation over and over in my head, trying to come up with some sort of explanation for the way she acted towards me. I couldn’t figure it out, everything seemed to be fine. We haven’t spoken since that day. I’ve thought about her many times over the years and lost plenty of sleep over it.
A couple weeks ago I had this dream I got to see her again and I asked her what upset her so bad. In my dream she still seemed upset and didn’t really give me an answer. I woke up feeling like I should try to find her. I looked her up on Facebook… couldn’t find her. I emailed a mutual friend to ask if she knew where I could find her… no reply.
Another week passed and I was still bothered. Then I had another dream, and in this dream I saw her again and we actually talked and everything was good again. I woke up the next morning feeling totally refreshed and at peace with everything, which was amazing!
This is exactly what the author of this book talks about. She explains that we can do a lot of healing through our subconscious because many situations in life are completely out of our control. So if we can get our subconscious minds to create the outcome we hoped for then it can make us feel as if it really happened. It can provide tremendous healing and much needed closure.

Plan Of Happiness

I remember one summer day as a child, I was out playing with one of my friends. We were enjoying a nice time together until suddenly she punched me right in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. After a moment of panic and complete shock, I caught my breath. I couldn't believe she did this to me! 

I asked her, "WHY on earth would you do this?"

"I wanted to see if you would cry", she responded.

I compare this experience to our trials in life. God gave us free agency. The ability to act for ourselves. To CHOOSE! How will we respond to hurtful situations? Will we cry and become bitter? Or will we catch our breath and move forward?

We know that throughout life we are faced with different challenges. We for the most part understand that our purpose here on earth is to pass the test. Will we choose God? Or will be choose to follow our own selfish desires?

Often times I worry too much about what my next trial is going to be? I'm practically EXPECTING to get punched in the gut. But why am I so worried? Why do I fear trials so much?
I should be ready to face them with the "bring it on" attitude. I can handle this? God is with me and he will strengthen me because of it.

If we knew no sadness then we would not know joy.
If we had everything given to us, then we would not appreciate the value of hard work.
If we never had uninterrupted sleep by a screaming baby, then we might not ever appreciate how amazing it is to sleep through the night.
If we never got our hearts broken, then we might not fully appreciate it when we find ourselves a loving and trustworthy man.
If our children never faught with one another, we would not be so dramatically happy when we see them playing nicely together (I think they secretly know this).
 
 Getting punched in the gut, believe it or not, can be a good thing. It might hurt and leave us momentarily out of breath, but it can teach us things.  Perhaps to be prepared, be ready to flex when we see the fist coming. Or to understand that the pain and out of breath feeling only lasts for a moment.

In 2 Nephi chapter 2 verses 15-30 of the Book of Mormon teaches us that God's plan is a plan of HAPPINESS.  It was designed to be MOSTLY enjoyable.

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence."

Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have JOY!
2 Nephi 2:25

I need to stop fearing the future, and trust in God. We can expect to get the wind knocked out of us at times, but we need NOT expect that it will be the END of all joy and happiness. God is always there. He will never give us more than we can handle, and he promises that if we endure to the end, we will be blessed. In other words, our capacity to feel happiness and joy will increase.

Gods plan is utterly sweet and pure perfection. And LOVE is the foundation. He LOVES US! He WANTS us to be happy.

Make Your Own Kombucha

  
I've known about Kombucha since I was about 15 years old. My mom used to make it but of course back then I really wasn't concerned about my health. Hence the countless hours I spent baking in the sun, and junk food I consumed on a daily basis. 

  So now that I'm older and wiser, and actually CARE about what I put into my body, I decided to do a little research on it. I had no idea the incredible  health benefits this stuff offers.

  Who out there has tried Kombucha? I've learned how to flavor it just right and now it's my favorite drink. I've completely replaced my nasty addiction to soda with this probiotic packed power drink. I'm seriously obsessed. I crave it!!!!

Kombucha is a beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir?” It’s been around for more than 2,000 years and has a rich anecdotal history of health benefits like improving digestion, boosting energy, reducing stress, and helping your immune system.

Reasons to drink Kombucha!

• Improved Digestion
• Weight Loss
• Increased Energy
• Cleansing and Detoxification
• Immune Support
• Reduced Joint Pain
• Cancer Prevention

  I'm going to give you a crash course on how to make Kombucha because it's actually pretty simple. Also, you'll save a TON of money by making it yourself. You'll spend up to $4 a bottle if you buy it at the store. You can find all the supplies you need on Amazon. I created a shopping list for you HERE and you can watch my how-to video at the end of this post or find me you YouTube. I've also provided a PRINTABLE RECIPE for you.

  What you'll need:

* Scobi mushroom and 2 cups Kombucha (you can order them online)

* Flip top bottles (I got mine on Amazon)

* Large mason jar

* Green tea packets

* Organic raw cane sugar

* Strainer

* Something to flavor with ( I like to use some Replenish powder because it's low in sugar and it's packed with vitamin B and electrolytes. My other favorite is frozen raspberries blended up with a little water to make it smooth). 

Directions:

  First you'll need to boil 3  quarts of water. Remove from heat and add 5-6 green tea bags. Let steep for about 5 minutes then add 1 cup of sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. 

Let cool to room temperature then remove tea bags and pour tea into gallon size mason jar. Then add your 2 cups of Kombucha and the scobi mushroom. 

  Now it's time to ferment. Find a place in your house that stays about 75 degrees. Then just leave it there for a week to ten days. This is what it will look like.

 Use a strainer then a funnel when pouring out the tea into the flip top bottles. Leave a little room in the bottle to add some juice or powder for flavoring.

  Close the flip top bottles and let ferment again for a couple more days if you want it to be carbonated. If you don't like carbonation then just store directly in the fridge until you're ready to drink.
 

I store mine in the coat closet. 

Please feel free to add more tips or information in the comment section of this post. Also, I 'd like to hear if anyone else out there has made their own Kombucha and what your experience with it has been.

Get started now and buy your supplies on Amazon. Printable Instructions HERE.
Or if you live in Utah near me in Draper, you can buy a whole Kombucha kit from me.
BUY NOW $35
The kit comes with your starter Scobi, 2 cups Kombucha, sugar, grean tea, gallon size mason jar, and my Guide to Fermented Foods.

print recipe

Kombucha

by Crystal Escobar February-19-2016

Save money and make your own Kombucha from home.

Ingredients

• 3 Quarts Water
• 1 Cup Sugar (regular granulated sugar works best)
• 6-8 bags Green tea, (or 2 tablespoons loose tea)
• 2 Cups Kombucha (from the store, or from your last batch)
• 1 Scobi
• 2-3 Cups Pureed Fruit

Instructions

Note: Avoid prolonged contact between the kombucha and metal both during and after brewing. This can affect the flavor of your kombucha and weaken the scoby over time. Make the tea base: Bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar to dissolve. Drop in the tea and allow it to steep until the water has cooled. Depending on the size of your pot, this will take a few hours. Add the starter tea: Once the tea is cool, remove the tea bags or strain out the loose tea. Stir in the starter tea/2 cups Kombucha. (The starter tea makes the liquid acidic, which prevents harmful bacteria from growing in the first few days of fermentation.) Transfer to jars and add the scoby: Pour the mixture into a 1-gallon glass jar and place the scoby into the jar with clean hands. Cover the mouth of the jar with a few layers tightly-woven cloth, coffee filters, or paper towels secured with a rubber band. Ferment for 7 to 10 days: Keep the jar at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and where it won't get moved or bumped. A new layer of scoby should start forming at the top of the kombucha within a few days. It usually attaches to the old scoby. You may also see brown stringy bits floating beneath the scoby, sediment collecting at the bottom, and bubbles collecting around the scoby. This is all normal and signs of healthy fermentation. After 7 days, begin tasting the kombucha daily by pouring a little out of the jar and into a cup. When it reaches a balance of sweetness and tartness that is pleasant to you, the kombucha is ready to bottle. Remove the scoby: Before proceeding, prepare and cool another pot of strong tea for your next batch of Kombucha. With clean hands, gently lift the scoby out of the kombucha and set it on a clean plate. Bottle the finished kombucha: Measure out your starter tea from this batch of kombucha and set it aside for the next batch. Pour the fermented kombucha (straining, if desired) into bottles using the small funnel, along with any juice, herbs, or fruit you may want to use as flavoring. Leave about a half inch of room in each bottle. Carbonate and refrigerate the finished kombucha: Store the bottled kombucha at room temperature out of direct sunlight and allow 1 to 3 days for the kombucha to carbonate. Refrigerate to stop fermentation and carbonation, and then consume your kombucha within a month. Make a fresh batch of kombucha: Clean the jar being used for kombucha fermentation. Combine the starter tea from your last batch of kombucha with the fresh batch of sugary tea, and pour it into the fermentation jar. Place the scoby on top, cover, and ferment for 7 to 10 days.

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: Total time: Yield: 1 Gallon

12 Steps To A Better Day

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?

Are you feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, left out, frustrated, discouraged or unappreciated?

We all have those days or even months when we're dealing with something upsetting or painful. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, frustration in your relationships, or even just getting your feelings hurt. Maybe it's something someone said or did, or maybe something they DIDN'T say or do. Maybe you're struggling with one of your children. What ever the cause may be, we have the ability to change how we feel. It's just a matter of making the choice. MUCH easier said than done though right? 

I've put together a list of 12 steps that might help ease your pain or at least get you on track to having a better day. 

Repeat the following as long as needed and know that you WILL see better days.

  "What we feed will grow. You have to quit feeding those wrong emotions." 

 -Joel Osteen   

Step 1

SAY A PRAYER!

Prayer should always be the first thing you do when you need help. God is there for us when ever we need him. All we have to do is ask. 

Step 2

TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT

Talking about it with someone you love and trust is very therapeutic. Share your feelings in a non-gossiping way. I always feel better when I can express what I'm feeling as well as get encouragement and advice. My husband has been so great that way. He helps me see things for what they really are... LIFE LESSONS. He helps me figure out what the lesson is and how I can handle it in a mature manner. He's always there to remind me that I'm a great wife, mother and friend, I tend to forget. I'm sure you all have someone like this in your life, whether it be your spouse, a friend, sibling or parent. And if you don't, then give ME a call :). 

Step 3

READ SOMETHING UPLIFTING

Go online and start using google. Or search the scriptures for answers you need. Find an article that speaks to you and seems to be just what you need to hear. Read it a few times and really ponder the message. You might have a favorite book or even audio that helps uplift your spirits and gives you those positive affirmations you need. I love Joel Osteen's sermons and all LDS conference talks. 

Step 4

MAKE A LIST

You know how much I LOVE lists :). Make a list of all the things you're grateful for. Then make a list of all the good things about YOU, remind yourself that you ARE amazing! We seem to forget so easily. I'm getting better with this as I get older and wiser, but I tend to let peoples opinions about me REALLY get to me. 

Step 5

BE PROACTIVE

Let go of your pity party. Release those expectations you have of others and think of how YOU can make a difference in someones life. Look around you... is there someone in need? Someone hurting or struggling? If you can't think of anyone then pray that you'll find someone. Bring dinner to a family, or invite them over. Offer to babysit someones kids for the day. Visit the sick or elderly. What are you good at? How can you use your talents to serve others? 

Step 6

WRITE

Write, write, then write some more. Let it ALL out. Put down your feelings on paper. Don't hold back in any way, then tare it up. You don't want to hold onto anything that may be hurtful for others to read. Wait a day or two THEN try writing down your feelings again, this time in a more positive way. Try to see the lesson and write about what you're learning from this. 

Step 7

GO OUTSIDE

Get out and get some fresh air. Go for a bike ride, a run or a hike. Then when you get back make yourself a healthy smoothie or salad. 

You'll be surprised what exercise, nature and good nutrition can do to your mood. If weather is not permitting then you can always do a little yoga. 

Step 8

IMPROVE YOUR TALENTS

What talent are you working on improving at the moment? Is it singing, writing, cooking, painting, playing an instrument, photograpny? What ever it is start working on it. Getting your mind off the negative feelings and channeling that energy into something thats helping you become a better you will dramatically change the way you feel. 

Step 9

BE PRODUCTIVE

Turn on some uplifting music and clean the house, organize a closet or your garage. Just get busy and get things done.   

Step 10

PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS

Children have a contagious way of making you happy. Just watching how carefree they are, their innocence and love for the world around them. We can definitely learn from these little babies. Enjoy the moment with them. Take it all in. Notice their little smiles and laughter as you play with them. Smell their hair, kiss their cheeks and look into their beautiful eyes. Seriously the best medicine. 

Step 11

SOAK UP THE SUN

The sun always makes me happy. Get outside and sit in the sun for 10-15 minutes. If the sun isn't shining then try sitting in front of a Happy Light. 

Step 12

DO A LITTLE PAMPERING

Get a manicure or pedicure. Get a massage, get your hair done or go buy yourself a new outfit. Go out to dinner or a movie with some friends. If you don't want to spend any money, then go take a nice long bath with some essential oils, put on some relaxing music, use some deep conditioner on your hair, a mask for your face, then give yourself a mani pedi and finish off the night with a good ol' fashion chick flick.   

 May we all see better days and appreciate our struggles because they mold us into a work of art.