May is my favorite month...it's party time for me.  First my birthday, next  Mother's Day...then  Memorial Day which kicks off the summertime.

Kevin tells me this is a VERY busy time for him.  Lots of prepping and planning going on for me!

He and the kids do a great job of making me feel special especially for Mother's Day.   Every Mother's Day they plan cool stuff for me to do. One year we went to a wine festival, another to the beach. 

This year, we will be on the soccer field. Jack's game is smack-dab in the middle of the day.

my little soccer player

We can't really do brunch, but we can have a late lunch. So that is the plan.  I'm not exactly sure of all the details yet, but the food will be delicious no doubt. 

I requested this yummy dessert to be served (as I devoured it during testing!):

This treat is realllllly super delicious. So sweet...so light...so perfect for a celebration.

I'm thinking massage and champagne after lunch, too. Oh and maybe even a nap.  Ahhhhh... a fabulous day!

Are you a mama? How will you spend your special day?

It’s my birthday! Oh, It’s my birthday! I’m gonna party like it’s my birthday!

In honor of my 44th year on this planet, I want to do something epic. While birthday prezzzies are always tre' nice (especially the massage gift certificates!), it's always more fun to give than to get.  And my heart is so warmed up over this.

I met charity:water’s CEO, Scott Harrison, at the World Domination Summit last summer. I was in tears when he presented the water crisis happening on our planet. I felt like I couldn't breathe; I was in total shock seeing kids, moms, families trekking far to get dirty, contaminated water. They are sick, weak, and even die from not having clean water to drink and cook with.

I knew then and there that when Scott asked for us to pledge our birthdays to help, I just had to join in. 

Water is a basic need we take for granted.  Water is essential for life.

A lot of us complain that we have to drink water or don’t like the taste of it. I get so upset (rather pretty pissed off)  when I hear how it's a pain to drink water.

Watching those suffer because they don't even have access to clean water makes my soul sink.

Water is the beginning of everything. Education, work, health, and overall safety. If you aren’t hydrated, you can‘t think, function, grow.

Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. Every day, 5,000 kids die from water-related illnesses before they reach their fifth birthday.

These statistics are mind-blowing.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide clean water to communities around the world.

Watch this short 2 minute vid for more info on charity:water:

I'm asking for your help. Can  you join  me in raising money for charity:water so we can give 30 people clean water?

100% of every dollar you donate to my birthday campaign will be used to build clean water projects in developing countries. charity: water funds their operating costs separately through a group of private donors, so 100% of all public donations will go directly to people in need. Once the wells are complete, pictures and GPS are given so we can see who we helped. Love that.

Anything you wish to give…$5, $10, $20… will help tremendously. Will you donate to my campaign and make this the best birthday ever?

You can do that here: http://my.charitywater.org/birthday-love .

You can win a super cool Birthday Box, too!

(valued over $500)

What’s in it?

Products from my love list:

* Dr. Aklaitis eye cream (worth $60)
* Sigg water bottle (worth $25)
* Vega chocolate protein powder and t-shirt (worth $65)
* Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Kitchen cookbook (worth $25)
* AND one-on-one Power Session gift certificate and meal plan kit from yours truly (worth $350)

Here’s how to win it:

1. Go to my Charity Water donation page: BIRTHDAY LOVE ;
2. Make donation (any amount, seriously, is wonderful)
3. Come to this blog post and leave a comment that you donated.

4. Click LIKE at the bottom of this post.

I’ll put your name in the random drawing to win the Birthday Box.

The winner will be revealed on May 9th.Come back here on the blog to see if  you won.

As a team, we have 1 week to collect $2,000 to give 30 people fresh water. I have no doubt we can do it!

If you complete all 4 steps, I’ll put your name in the random drawing to win the awesome Birthday Box packed with amazing gifts worth over $500.

AND the winner is...

Congratulations, Rhonda! 

You know, we raised $1,058 in just one week!  23 people will get clean water because of you.  You are all amazing! I I am forever grateful to be connected to such generous and kind souls. Thanks for making this such a special birthday.

Thank you with all my heart. With something so basic as water, we can really change the world. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Much love.

Detox.  Not sure about it?

Watch this candid convo I had with Ally, the star in the Detox Myth video (she was the crazy detox lady).  After we were done laughing from all the joking around, things got a little more serious.   She mentioned how she is really scared of this detox thing. 

Ally started asking questions like...

"What do you eat on a detox?"

"What do you actually detox from? I picture peoples with the sweats!"

"Can I keep up with normal life?"

She has participated  Kickin' It Clean  but said she would NEVER try detox.  Will she go for  it this time?

Click the video for our in depth detox convo and find out.

(This was not rehearsed...I had really no idea what she was going to ask me. Pinky swear!)

Here's how to win your FREE spot:

1. Tell me ONE healthy intention/goal you have for this spring. What do you want to create during your detox?

2. Click " Like"  below.

 I'm giving away TWO spots, and  I will announce the winners right here on this post, April 19th by 5 pm EST. 

And the lucky detox winners are...

PS.  Need more info on the Spring Renewal detox?  

Here you go:  Spring Renewal starts April 22nd!

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I've been irritated, fed up, and stuck lately.

A few months ago, we had a big flood in our laundry room that damaged a bunch of toys, Christmas decorations, and carpet. A big mess...

I realized the clutter in my basement was cluttering up my mind, my energy.

Well, I cleaned it up!

Better, yes? We still need to fix the carpeting but looks good! And I feel much better.

I just can’t think when there is a mess around me. Clearing away junk in the basement is also connected to clearing away junk in your body.
 

During spring, the liver needs to be really cleansed in order to feel balanced, clean and light.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver represents certain energy.

Movement.

If things are flowing nicely within your body as well as in life, the liver is working with balance.

Beginnings.  Cleaning body.  Elimination.  Creativity. Exercise. Garden.

If there’s an imbalance, you will feel stuck.

Same old stuff. Clutter. Congestion. Overeating. Excess. Laziness. Weeds.

(I just think all this is super cool!)

Since the liver rules the spring season, it’s a good idea to give your liver a break with eating more greens like spinach and arugula, and adding garlic and turmeric to your meals this time of year.
 

So, ready to love up your liver?

Make this ideal liver cleansing salad (an exclusive Spring Renewal Detox recipe):

How are you feeling these days? Stuck? Unfocused? Energized? Creative?

Tell me more in the comments below...let's have a convo about this cool subject. I always learn so much from you all.
 

PS.  Spring Renewal starts April 22nd!

Come along: Spring Renewal 10 Day Detox

This is the third video for the Spring Renewal Detox series.

Check out video #1: How to Make a Salad Jar and video #2:  Best 5 Step Smoothie Making Method. 

There's a lot of detox talk going around lately. Tis' the season for spring cleaning, right?

Even though I provide detox programs for my clients (which by the way are ah-mazing!), I get so concerned with all the wrong info out there.

During a detox all you have to do is eat real food. Eat healthy, clean food.  Eat every 3 hours to keep your metabolism boosted.  No starving. No depriving. No diets.

But picking the safe and efficient way to detox can be confusing so I hope this video helps with your questions and any uneasiness about detox.

Click the vid to check out the 4 top detox misconceptions and get the honest, real answers from yours truly.

Oh, and be prepared to laugh.  I had a blast filming this vid with my gorgeous and talented friend, Ally Tierney of 2 Hands Studios.  My belly still hurts from all the laughing!

Now it's your turn. What was the funniest thing someone asked you when you were on a detox? If you haven't detoxed yet, what part of the video helped clear things up for you?

PS.  Spring Renewal starts April 22nd!

Info for you: Spring Renewal 10 Day Detox

This is the second video for the Spring Renewal Detox series.

Check out video #1: How to Make a Salad Jar if you missed last week.

Are your ready for some smoothie making?

Most of us like to plop in the ingredients and hope for the best.  A lot of times it works out, but there have been instances where I spit out the drink the second it touched my lips. 

There's actually a science to making a great tasting smoothie. You need certain equipment, ingredients, and even a magical step that you probably haven't heard of yet.  This step can make or break your smoothie.

Click on the vid for my step-by-step instructions on making the ultimate best tasting smoothie ever.

I also give you the recipe for "Berry Green Smoothie" from the Spring Renewal detox menu. A little sneak peak for you.

Smoothie from Greg Harrell on Vimeo.

*You can play with the ingredients to make your creation they way you want.  Also, I don't use measurements as you can see in the vid, but I gave approximate amounts for you.

*If you want to use powders for your smoothie, I recommend a chocolate or berry flavored one for this one.  Try Vega protein powder brand or any superfood powder like  maca. 

What do you create with your blender? Leave your recipe or idea below. I'm always excited to learn from you!

PS.  Spring Renewal starts April 22nd.

Info for you: Spring Renewal 10 Day Detox

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