Not a Single Mom...

Ok, I am a Single Mom.

But not by the terms that you probably just read that.

Mimi's 21-Day Spring Cleaning Detox is here!

You may be asking... Why should I do a detox?

Our bodies are constantly exposed to toxins of all kinds from all directions, from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Over time these toxins get stored in the tissues and lead to toxic overload, making it difficult to ease otherwise minor health issues. Although our bodies are equipped with the natural ability to detox, the burden of our current environment makes this process more difficult for our bodies to do alone. A detox can be super effective in assisting the body in pushing things through and out!

How can a detox help?

• Although this is not a weight-loss program, a detox can be a great launching pad for creating a new and healthier lifestyle to support your weight loss goals

• Boost energy, vitality, clarity of mind -- get rid of those afternoon slumps!

• Improve digestion and eliminate bloating 

• Improve sleep patterns 

• Eliminate sugar cravings

• Put you on the path to better self-care practices making your life healthier & happier all around!

Why should I choose THIS detox?

Because I have done the research and experienced the program myself multiple times. This proprietary detoxification kit is a unique and advanced combination of nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, fruit and vegetable extracts, and pure herbs that support the overall metabolic detoxification process while balancing Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways. Plus, you get my one on one support the whole way! 

What do I get? How does this work?

Week 1

One hour coaching session to set you up for success and answer your individual questions

Action plan to have you fully prepared

Meal guide, kitchen prep and shopping recommendations

Unlimited email support

Private social forum for support, accountability and additional resources

Weeks 2-3

All of the above, including:
Detox kit with individually packaged protein powder, supplement packets and shaker bottle

Program guide booklet included in detox kit

Supplement schedule

More healthy food recommendations

Suggested healthy lifestyle practices

Tips for reintroducing certain foods

Instructions and support for moving forward healthfully after the detox

How do I get started?

1. More questions? 

• Email your questions directly to me at: mimi@mimimarie.com

2. How much is it? 

• Normally $199 ~ Spring Cleansing price $159!!

3. Ready to get started now? 

• Email me to schedule a set up call!

I'm so excited to guide you on your journey to better health!! :)))

Yours in health,

~Mimi~

Rising Woman~ De'Anna Nunez

Our first Rising Woman is a dear friend of mine, De'Anna Nunez. I met De'Anna about 5-6 years ago through our blogs that we were both running at the time on Facebook. We eventually learned that we were both in San Diego and decided to connect in person. Over the years I have been continually inspired by the teachings that De'Anna brings to women through her writing and her programs. As a friend, she has inspired me to stand in my own power, to share my own story and to embrace all that I have been through in my own life as part of what makes me who I am today. I love the way De'Anna is a living example of her teachings and that she beautifully embraces the imperfections of living a healthy life. I am just honored that she has agreed to share her story with us here.

Follow Your Feet, Your Purpose Will Be Revealed

HI, my name is De’Anna Jo Nunez. I am a Speaker, Hypnotist and Trainer that focuses on developing a Healthy Mindset cycle. My clients often think of me as a mind-set strategist. I help them figure out why they do what they do. This is true, but even more importantly, I design practicum’s that lead them to what they really want.  I am my work. It is a pure, truthful, beautiful and even imperfect reflection of who I am and what inspires me.

I started my career when Hypnosis found me as a twenty-four-year-old, single mom. I was lost and looking for the best way to bring up my kid, as well as create some sort of fun life for us. A bit of a hot mess, I was in need for an intervention before any of that could happen. My son was the first pivot point of my change, Hypnosis was the second. I believe God sprinkled in my path, the unconditional love that I needed to start my healing.

Raised by a single Mom, forever bitter by her divorce, I grew up with a strong sense of anger in my daily environment. My Dad was attentive and loving, but only every other weekend. The gaps that weren’t being filled felt like the Grand Canyon. Like vast spaces of loneliness, I learned early on that love came with conditions. I could often just fall into the abyss of worthlessness. The only way for me to navigate those deep dark crevices was to armor up.

Follow Your Feet, Your Spirit Has Got Your Back

I am an expressive type person. The problem is, unlike a beautiful Beyonce video, what I had to express was not sexy. My childhood was an odd concoction of growing pains, fun and misunderstood anger, mirrored back to me by an overly critical mother. Meanwhile, Dad was raising another family and I often felt confused and restless. Psychology names our upbringing as the formative or formidable years. It’s formidable if you’ve attached some type of negative emotion or fear to it, formative if it helped you become better. Well I took the low road.

Between the age of thirteen and eighteen, I ran away repeatedly, shoplifted, stole family member’s cars, drank to get drunk, smoked crack, was the victim of rape, and dropped out of school. I’m sure I’ve left a few things out, and rightly so, because telling you this is not for the purpose of hype or poor-me’s, but to convey to you that I know the depths of despair, anguish and self sabotage.

Learning the importance of unconditional love became a saving grace and it came through to me from my best friend Erin. She was what seemed to me, the main person in my life, other than my dog Sarge, that loved me no matter what. Now here’s the thing, I didn’t know love without conditions, so the reciprocal love I would show Erin came laced with negative expression too. On one day I would accept her love with open arms. Lord knows I needed it! The next I would put on my armor, hide my vulnerability and abuse her by shunning her.  My behavior was often undeserving of her loyalty, yet she gave freely to me and never put conditions on her love. That was such an important lesson for me to learn.

I have felt like giving up. I have also felt extremely powerless, even hopeless. The biggest thing I’ve done to overcome that feeling is to stop giving it power, and instead, seek out the special glimmer of universal love that seems to always exist. The thing that Erin saw in me. Love comes in many forms- nature, people, God, spirit, creativity. I know sometimes its hard to see yourself with compassion. It’s like trying to see water when you’re in it. You just can’t! The secret is to swim anyway knowing and trusting it’s there. In doing just that, my prisons turned to pathways. There have been some ridiculously cool, high points of my life. I’ve performed Hypnosis for Governors and Five Star Generals overseas and in front of audiences of 10,000. I’ve run 75 consecutive miles in the dark at elevation, have raised a successful kid, extensively educated myself, married the love of my life and even facilitated the most amazing moments for my clients that completely changed them. Wow! Just goes to show you what’s possible when you are willing to do whatever it takes.

Follow Your Feet and Never Stop Practicing

To get where I am today, it’s been a practice of overcoming self judgement and feeling fear but not letting it stop me. Hands down, the greatest struggle I’ve had is feeling unworthy. So now, I am open to love finding me through all expressions- friendships, clients, romance, nature, money, food and God. To breakthrough it has been a matter of staying focused, just wanting to be healthy in all aspects is a huge driver for me. Looking at myself and valuing that the practice never ends, like a karate master practices his art, it beckons me to continually offer up forgiveness, empathy, patience and love. Especially to myself.

I think its very important that we have healthy practices in our lives that assist us in staying balanced and peaceful. For me, that is running, hiking and on a really good day, doing that with my family. I’d love for you to recognize that your body is housing your emotions. Think about that as if it were literal. That means, you must take responsibility to manage the upkeep of your house by cleaning and organizing it regularly. When we exercise, there is an intense process that is emotional, spiritual and physiological. An actual shift occurs in our hormones and therefore our attitude. In no way do I want to rob myself of that opportunity as it is a source of my renewal time.

I feel strongly that all women need to have some type of fitness routine that fills up their soul. If you are only exercising because you have to, or because your Doctor recommended it, you are missing a huge piece of goodness. It’s like seeing a rainbow and not the beautiful sky. Nutrition is the same way. It’s an opportunity to give your body vitality every time you eat. Sure, ice cream tastes really good, so does guacamole and chips. I’m not saying I don’t eat that, but eighty percent of my focus goes toward living my healthiest life. It wasn’t until I started meeting my internal needs that I could eat food without abusing it.

Follow Your Feet, Arrive at a New You

What I want women to know from reading my story is that the struggle moves through you faster and easier when you surrender to its lesson. We so often resist, fight and defend ourselves. We create huge obstructions and draw out the length of our suffering. It’s unnecessary. Let go of the need to suffer unnecessarily. If you are refusing to let go, well, that is where you want to start first. What is trying to heal itself that you are resisting? What is it that you need from others, that you are not giving to yourself?

Struggles can either teach us to be strong or teach us to hide and shrink ourselves. We waste so much of our lives just shrinking and growing, growing and shrinking. I feel like when we take responsibility for our responses and realize that our response is often the only thing we actually have control of, everything changes. We can really just always be growing. We never have to shrink again.

If you're as inspired as I am by this woman, be sure to visit De'Anna's website to learn more about her offerings and follow her media outlets.

Currently De'Anna is promoting...

1) Have a Spiritual Awakening for the Dying Dieter in You; Mind Body Fit Club 11 Week Class

2)Have De'Anna Speak at your next event about: How to Create an Unshakable Mindset

Thank you, De'Anna for being a Rising Woman for all to learn and grow from!!

xoxoxo

Happy April Updates!! No April Foolin' here!! ;)

Happy April, my friends!! 

Even though it's the same every year, it's always shocking how the time seems to fly so quickly. It seems Christmas was just yesterday! And where did Easter go?

Since I haven't been very on top of my newsletters, I thought I'd take the time to bring you up to date! I'll try to keep things to the point and elaborate more later... :)

2016 is already off to a big and busy start. Looking at my vision board over my meditation this morning and seeing how much I've already accomplished is exhilarating. I'm not sure I've ever felt so overwhelmingly joyful and proud of what I've created and I'm so excited to see where this year takes me! 

I brought in the New Year with my first article published on Women for One. This was a proud moment as I intend to bring much more of my story and my writing into the world in order to make a difference for other women out there. So many of us struggle with the stories of our past and it keeps us stuck in life and unable to move forward to live a life we love. Often this manifests in health issues and a huge lack of self-care. I want to see more women freed up and aware of their ability to design life however they choose. 

In February, after more than two years of wanting to move after my divorce, I decided that it was time to stop thinking about it and make it happen! Within weeks, I found the perfect situation in the exact area that I wanted to live and last weekend I officially became a resident of beautiful Encinitas, CA. Even though I didn't move very far away, this is monumental for me. The whole thing is still sinking in, but the one thing I know is that when you believe and commit to what you want in life, truly anything is possible. More on that later!

I couldn't be more proud of my March accomplishment when my daughter, Zoe & I brought another dream to life and launched our first Bonding Beauties workshop. I am still in awe at what a beautiful day that turned out to be for all who came. Not only was a new sistership formed between all of us, but the closeness that was created between moms & daughters was beautiful beyond belief. I am such a believer in the power that we as women have to empower each other on so many levels. And if we will just start with the women in our lives, the ripple effect can be astounding. I can't wait to create more of this magic! 

What's next, you ask?! ;) SO MUCH!! 
I'll just bullet point some of the good stuff so you'll know you should stay tuned... :)

• My nutrition programs are under construction and relaunching within the next month!! And guess what, you won't have to live in San Diego to work with me!! Yay :)))

• I'm co-facilitating a Mother Daughter Connection Weekend with the lovely Patrina Wisdom and both of our daughters, Jorden & Zoe at the end of this month! Join us April 22-23!

• Our next Bonding Beauties Workshop is set for June 11th! Mark your calendars and all the juicy details will be coming soon!

I hope that your year is off to an amazing start and I look forward to connecting with you so much more in the coming months. Make sure you're following me on all the social places and feel free to email with any questions or feedback. I love hearing from you!

Want to work with me to create your healthier, happier life? Simply email and let's chat!

All my love to you, in health & happiness~

Mimi Marie

xoxoxo
mimimariecnc@gmail.com

Life Can Change in an Instant...

Geez. Life can sure turn in an instant! The last month has been a whirlwind with plenty of challenges. But the biggest by far happened last Thursday. Our little man (the one we went Paleo for a couple of months ago) began having full blown seizures and has officially been diagnosed with epilepsy. Even though this hasn't been the first of our scares with Eddie, this may be the toughest one to swallow. Thankfully, he turned a corner and is feeling a lot better now. I feel like I can breathe again. But I hate that he has to be on medication and when I think of leaving him somewhere I get a pit in my stomach. There is just so much that's unknown about the disease, the brain, or even WHY the medicine works. On one hand, I know everything is going to be okay because I know that he has the best parents/family/friends/doctors to do all of the right things for him. On the other hand, I'm terrified. This is all a realm that we've never been before and the unknown can be very scary. On the other hand (what? you didn't know I had 3 hands?) I believe that everything happens for a reason and I have to find solace knowing that this is only a stepping stone. 

We came home from the hospital on Friday and it felt like we had been thrown naked into the ocean without a life vest, raft, or anything... What now?! Among the routine doctor visits, medications, neurological testing, etc., what could we do to give our son the best possible chances for a healthy, happy, normal life - as naturally as possible. Obviously at this point we feel trapped in having to keep the seizures at bay and have him on medication, but the hope is that he will grow out of needing that and we can naturally support that process. You know where I'm going with this, don't you..? 

FOOD. Since having gone Paleo a couple of months ago, we all saw a marked improvement in Eddie's day to day life. His memory improved and the issues that were already at hand seemed to be lessening. But now it's time to take our Paleo lifestyle to the next level. Under our doctors care and lots of research, we are currently transitioning into a ketogenic diet which has shown to be effective for people with seizure disorders. This won't be a hard transition since we were already Paleo about 80% of the time (but definitely have to raise that ratio), but there's still a lot to learn. 

I know that food is the key to all avenues of health and I know that different things work for different people. I'm wondering, have you experienced your own success in the arena of your health because of a changed diet? What was your condition and what did you do? What was your transformation?

Also, do you or someone you know/love have epilepsy? How do you support that condition with a healthy lifestyle and where do you get support? 

One thing that I've really taken to heart with all of this is that I don't want to do this alone. On that note, I'd love to hear from you. Also, please send your love, light and good vibes to our precious son. 

Comment below, OR:
Email: heavenlyhealthy@yahoo.com

Cauliflower crusted pizza - first attempt - scored!!

Ok, so maybe it wasn't perfect, but it was pretty dang close.. because well, come on, THE KIDS LIKED IT!! And especially for Eddie, that's saying A LOT. His absolute FAVORITE food is pizza and he has really missed it since going Paleo. I'm so happy to find some pizza that he can eat again - happy kids, happy mom!! :)

It's funny because my cooking almost always comes out the best when it's not planned or measured. So, I'll give you my best shot at sharing what I did tonight. If you try it, please let me know how it works out for you!

I'd also like to add, that our *official* Paleo Cooking at Home program is over. Tomorrow Eddie has an appointment with our family osteopath and we will be discussing diet further with her. There are definitely some things we'll be keeping around, such as some meats.. and then of course we'll still indulge in our occasional "treats."

All in all, I have been extremely pleased with where our Paleo venture has taken us. I think all of us have benefited from it in some way or another. It has taken me back into the kitchen and I am going to be sharing lots more of my ventures in food with you again. It is something I have truly missed over the past year and where my passion truly lies.

So, here's that crazy crust I threw together! :)

Cauliflower Crusted Pizza

1 small head of cauliflower, blended in a food processor or Vitamix.

1/4 C whole flax seeds

1/4 C coconut flour
(you can use your own choices of flours: flax, almond, coconut, etc.)

1/8 C or less nutritional yeast

3 eggs

3 oz. tomato paste (optional)

2-3 tbsp. coconut oil

Salt & pepper

Mix all ingredients together. It will have a thick, pasty texture.

Coat cooking sheet with plenty of coconut oil and spread the mixture thinly and evenly on pan.

Cook the crust by itself at 400* for about 20 minutes, until it begins to brown.

Take out and top with homemade pizza sauce and your favorite toppings. I was working with limited options tonight because I need to go shopping. I used a cheese blend because it was all I had, but I prefer shredding my own mozzarella. 

Bake again at 400* for about 10-15 minutes. 

Because this isn't your typical pizza dough, you might not be able to pick it up with your hands to eat it. It just depends on your toppings, your cooking sheet and how your oven cooks it. Either way, you should be able to serve easily with a spatula and ENJOY!! :)

PGP: Family meeting, part 2 - Mom

Eddie did incredibly well at his MRI yesterday. I was so afraid that we would have to reschedule because our first attempt was without sedation and Eddie hates needles. I attribute how well he did to having daddy in the room with him (only one of us could go in). Either way, I'm super proud.

Today the kids & I took a risk and hit the mall for lunch. I think we did OK, but there were just way too many temptations and we won't be doing that again.

We came home and got right into the kitchen making pumpkin muffins. Yummy-yummy!!

>>Making pumpkin muffins :)

Here is the 2nd part of our family meeting, with me. Now that the kids are all saddled up, we've just been having tons of fun cooking together. They're such little troopers!!

>>Family Meeting, part 2 with Mom

To see the awesome program we're following to take our family's eating habits to next level, go here:

PGP: Family meeting, part 1 - Dad

In case you didn't take the time to read my first "Pachecos Go Paleo (PGP)" post, today you will get an insight into one of the main reasons we've chosen to give Paleo a try. 

Our 8 year old son has recently been diagnosed with Complex Partial Epilepsy. We will be sharing some pieces of that journey with you, but mostly our journey as we transition our family (particularly, our children) into a healthier diet. 

It is our belief that the first place of healing begins in the kitchen and we know that this transition has to include the whole family. This will only work through communicating, sharing, supporting, strengthening and loving each other every step of the way. 

>>Dad talks to the family about Paleo and talks to Eddie about seizures.<< 

Today is a big day here as Eddie is schedule for his MRI. He had his first MRI when he was a year old and everything checked out normal, so we are hopeful that today will be the same. 

Please send your prayers, positive energies, juju, vibes, and most of all LOVE our way. 

Much love and thanks for your support!! 
xoxo

To see the Paleo program we're following, click here:

Pachecos Go Paleo!!

I'm SO excited to share with you all this brand new Paleo journey that I'm taking my family on for the next 2 weeks!! I will be posting blogs, videos and pictures on FB and IG through all of my social media feeds and I would love for you to follow along. Bare with me, as this first post will be the longest as I tell you a little bit of our story as well as WHY we've decided to give this path a try.

If you know me, you know that I generally don't believe in "diets" or the idea that "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to what we should be eating. Every body has its own requirements and it's our job to figure out what foods provide us with the energy and vitality that are needed to live our fullest, healthiest life possible.

You may or may not know that I've been mostly vegetarian for the past 13 years. Sometimes I'm very strict about it, sometimes I'm not. I typically just go with how I feel because I deeply believe that our bodies will unfailingly tell us what we need through our levels of energy, how we're feeling, what we're craving, etc.

Sadly though, over the past 6+ months I lost my passion for being in the kitchen. Life got super busy and cooking (something that I truly love to do) became more of a chore than something that I enjoyed. I also got tired of making the same old things that never pleased the whole family (3 adults and 3 kids). So, I began to settle for less on what I was feeding everyone. I'd make separate meals which usually meant something healthier for the adults and something mediocre for the kids. Lately, it really started to get to me. My #1 commitment in life is to give my family the best in everything that I can, so how was I going to get over this major funk in the kitchen?

And then I no longer had a choice. I wasn't sure if I was going to share this next part of our story publicly or not, but one thing I know is that by sharing the REAL stuff in life then others can benefit in their own struggles. It is my hope that in sharing this part of our family's journey that you will gain something for your own life journey.

Last week we found out that our 8 year old son, Eddie, has Complex Partial Epilepsy. You may have followed some of his story over the past 8 years. His issues have been pretty minor and very manageable. However, more recently we began noticing something a little more concerning - periods of complete absence, loss of memory and/or knowledge of his current setting. (We'll keep this part of the story short for now.) And so the tests began (physicals, EEG, MRI, etc.) and our suspicions were confirmed.

Once the devastation settled, reality set in. Something had to change. I knew deep in my being that the kid who would eat pizza at every single meal if he could, had to change his diet. And that meant this mama was going to have to have a solid plan. Whatever the plan was going to be, it needed to include the entire family.

[Parts of our family meeting will be posted on Youtube.]

After conducting much of my own homework as well as already having some intuition telling me that Eddie needed to be eating more meat, I reluctantly decided it was time to start bringing more meat into the house. After a few very DRY and not-so-yummy attempts (I've never been one to cook meat), the first person I could think to help me on this path was my amazingly talented and passion-about-food friend, Camille from Recipe RX and Paleo Living.

It couldn't have been more perfect that she was literally JUST launching her own program to help people transition into a healthier lifestyle, called Paleo Cooking at Home: Fast, Easy & Cheap. I quickly jumped on her affiliate program last week, went shopping on Sunday and began our cooking journey on Monday (yesterday). No time to waste!

>>>>>Meet Camille here!!<<<<<

And now the journey begins.

Sunday we completely overhauled the kitchen... out with the crap, in with the real food!!

OUT with the enriched breads, pastas & processed carbs~

IN with the fresh produce, healthy fats and yes, the meat!!

Our first dinner was last night (Almond Coconut Crusted Chicken - holy heavens!!) and EVERYONE (yes, I said everyone) LOVED it!! So far, we have made last night's dinner, today's breakfast (plantain crepes) and lunch (tuna salad wraps), and all of them have been a hit!!

Words cannot express how exciting it has been in just 24 hours to make meals that the whole family loves! I'm seriously ecstatic!! I'm already thrilled to be back in the kitchen and I feel like this is exactly what our entire family needed to get on track.

Be sure to follow our 2-week "Pachecos Go Paleo" journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and now Youtube!!