Thank You...
For visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy all the fun and encouraging things i post here ; -
> My own Music and all that comes with it
> My Hobbies & Interests (From Cooking to Cute Crafts)
> My Faith ( I am a Christian who enjoys sharing inspirational and uplifting gems now and again)
> Basically, almost my whole life !
Destiny here! I’d like to personally invite you to Big Church Day Out 2022! It’s honestly the highlight of my year & if you join my group, we all get discounted tickets!
Location: WISTON ESTATE – WEST SUSSEX*
Join me on the 3rd and 4th June 2022 with over 30,000 people from across the UK and beyond to worship together in the jaw-dropping surroundings of the Wiston Estate, in the company of some of the best Christian artists in the world.
You will then be taken to my Group homepage where you can order your tickets. You will then need to create an account or login to your existing account with BCDO. Your card will be charged at midnight on the day of the Group Registration Deadline (28th May).
GROUP DISCOUNT
At the least we have 10 people!The more people that join the group, the cheaper our tickets will be!Your payment will be taken when our Group closes and we have the lowest price for our Group.
Ps. I usually bring my own tent and set up camp for the weekend, for £20 a camping ticket. It really does add to the experience but you don’t have to! If you want to camp with me, i’m sure we can arrange something together.
Please email me at destinyjoelivia@gmail.com SUBJECT BCDO 2022 if you’ve got any questions, &/or if you want to camp.
*We can organise travel if that’s something we need to do later on 🙂
Want to learn the songs ahead of time? Click HERE for the official playlist as a sneak peek 😌
The following blog post contains affiliate links which enables me to make a small commission from this yummy content.
For today’s Come Dine With Dest, we are having a very easy comforting meal, made with coincidentally all organic ingredients which were nice and affordable!
A SIMPLE BUTTER BEAN STEW, WITH A SIDE OF WHOLESOME SHORT GRAIN BROWN RICE & SALT & VINEGAR ROASTED POTATOES
This meal was made in around 40 mins all together. It took two cans of organic butter beans and whatever veggies we had left in the fridge, and my fave carbs ever, rice & potatoes. These potatoes were on sale, a small bag of organic baby potatoes left with the skin on and unwashed so they were covered in soil (hello nutrients!) This meant the therapeutic aroma of soil filled my kitchen as I prepared them for par boiling. I will share the recipe soon!
Please do check out the story highlight series where you can see the in-depth plate tour & the meal in motion 😉
S H O P L I N K S
Organic Coconut Milk Powder here which is a great option if you can’t get the tinned kind. So far, it does the job! I love using it in curries and also in the bath for my self care rose bath sessions!
Mr Organic Tinned Butter Beans here I often buy the dried beans but these are a great buy and so easy to just make dinners quickly!
Dried organic Butter Beans here what I usually buy when i’m getting bulk protein. These I soak overnight or even over a few days and then cook down.
Dried Shiitake Mushroom slices here you know by now, I love a mushroom & shiitake mushroom are soo ‘meaty’ and tasty and they soak up lots of flavour too!
Thanks for dining with me, Dest!
Stay Blessed x
Click here to see the previous episode of Come Dine With Dest. Don’t forget to join me on Instagram for more content.
My husband & I often eat the same foods, but he is more likely to choose tofu than tempeh, due to it’s after taste that is masked more when infused & baked by the way! There is more nutritional benefit in tempeh, although they are both super yummy & healthy within a balanced diet.
That being said, the more veggies you have in your fridge, the more of a meal with soup will be! I just added aubergines & mushrooms because that’s what we had.
Please do check out the story highlight series where you can see the in-depth plate tour & the meal in motion 😉
S H O P L I N K S
Rice Noodles (I have a gluten intolerance so gluten free rice noodles are my pick, or Buckwheat noodles)
Shiitake Mushrooms (One of the many amazing medicinal mushrooms Mother Nature shares. I get mine from Waitrose as they are the best kind, but dried as always great to have in the cupboard too!)
Coconut Milk (I go through so much of this, so buying in bulk from here is so convenient, plus it’s organic so it’s win-win!)
Turmeric Powder (nature’s gold, and a spice I simply can’t be without. From it’s anti-inflammatory benefits to her vibrant colour, it’s something I use for lattes, cooking and skin care!)
Nutritional Yeast (The famous #nooch of the vegan world. It’s got a sort of nutty cheesy flavour and its great for literally any meal except sweet things haha) It’s really an easy way to bump up your nutrition and get some vit B in too. Have a read of how to use x
Thanks for dining with me, Dest!
Stay Blessed x
Click here to see the previous episode of Come Dine With Dest. Don’t forget to join me on Instagram for more content.
I’m so glad to be sharing this blog with you all! If you know anything about me, you will know that sharing wellness tips is honestly my greatest joy. I have linked all of my favourite oils below, from BWFOL (Buy Whole Foods Online) which is quite frankly the best thing to happen to me since lockdown 😉.
On my Instagram, friends often share what oils/diffusers they have been using, so there is always space for trying new things. I’m also considering studying Aromatherapy, to get that under my belt. If you have a course in mind or even a sponsorship, please email me.
Let’s Jump In…
Lavender: Semi-sweet floral smell, quite strong and aids in total relaxation & sleep. I tend to pair this with my body oil before bed. I usually buy big bottles because it’s my most used!
I use Lavender in my diffuser to begin “night time”, as well as/or putting 1 drop behind both ears and at the soles of my feet, and wrists. I may also add to my pillow but I honestly do whatever I feel in the mood for.
2. Peppermint: Very strong in an obvious peppermint smell, best to be used in the morning or midday to awaken and refresh my senses. If you like the minty fragrance you can also try spearmint which has a much sweeter smell.
I use this to ease any tummy discomfort – I usually add a few drops to some castor oil during PMS or a body oil if i’m experiencing bloating (DM me if you want a really AWKS airplane story about this *eyes*). I also use in a facial steam for headaches, with Rosemary
3. Ylang Ylang: Super sweet floral smell, which I have now associated with the mid-morning/day time. It is an awesome one to pair with peppermint for that perfect brightening vibe, or frankincense for a more calm and balanced vibe.
I use Ylang Ylang in my diffuser but also in my shea butter body mix. Simply add a shea butter, coconut oil and a few drops of oil to a jar and boom- yummy ylang gang!
4. Tea Tree: This almost antiseptic kind of smell has been easy to identify for so long! Used for addressing lovely spots and cleaning, Tea Tree is one I tend to use on it’s own as it’s not a subtle one! Ps. most essential oils are actually antiseptic which is a bonus.
I often put Tea Tree in the diffuser if i feel a little under the weather, with added peppermint. It’s also great for facial steaming and clears up throat and skin nicely. Occasionally I will add a drop to some water to clean my phone.
5. Frankincense: Yes, this WAS used in the bible which kind of explains it’s very earthy, dessert-like aroma. I watched a BBC Sahara Desert documentary a month ago, and saw the Nomads inhaling this as a ritual-type practise. It’s said to have antidepressant like qualities and I can really vouch for that. It’s not sweet, but it is strong and woody. Use lightly!
I use this beauty, on low-mood days, to lift my spirits. I pop it in the diffuser with Ylang Ylang and sometimes add a drop of Peppermint to the blend. I will also use it topically with my shea butter, on my wrist and shoulder tips, if i’m feeling particularly anxious or having palpitations.
Where do we start? I know Amazon has many but, I have seen lots of people using the Tisserand Diffuser, which is also the brand of my oils from Amazon. The one I currently have is the VicTsing which works well for short term in a small room.
You may want a larger diffuser as the smaller ones will need refilling too often to fill a living room for example. I also prefer to have diffusers with less stimulating led colours, as exposure to light will suppress the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. For more on sleep hygiene, look out for my next post!
As always, connect with me on Instagram, let me know what you aromatherapy products you use!
Stay Blessed,
Dest x
Some links may be affiliated with BWFOL, which just means when you make your purchase through clicking my links, they will give me a small commission from that sale. Win Win!
I can’t remember when this all began but I know it happened fast. There are many fears floating around and so much is going on, it’s hard to feel okay. I am doing as much “social distancing” as I can and making sure I look after myself completely. I maybe “stuck alone” but I am BLESSED to have the green just seconds away from my flat, and shops and all sorts around me. I am blessed here. Still, the fear factor is horrible, I should not go on FB anymore and tbh, Instagram too – it’s just lonely without it right?
Here are some things I wish..
I wish Covid-19 didn’t exist
I wish I would just go away
I wish I didn’t suffer with anxiety
I wish I could focus on the positives all the time instead of worrying about the negatives
Here are some things that came to mind whilst writing those..
God will never leave me, He will never forsake me
I can do things to protect myself in general
I’m going to read a book that was recommended to me called The Way of The Peaceful Warrior.
Nothing is ever has horrid as it seems in my mind.
This is day one of me journaling my thoughts and feelings regarding this virus and I will continue to get thoughts down.
An afternoon of art, drinks and relaxation run by Destiny, in order to raise money for her mum’s all natural cancer treatments.
Are you looking for a cool way to spend an evening with cool people? This event is for everyone and anyone, whether you consider yourself an artist or not. It’s a way of coming together for a huge cause, meeting people, relaxing with a paint brush whilst drinking healthy mocktails and listening to soul soothing music.
WHEN?25TH AUGUST 2019 | It will start at 1pm and finish by 4pm although the afternoon will be totally free flowing.
WHO?ANYONE, WHETHER YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN ARTIST OR NOT! If you want to bring your children please be willing to supervise. We have paper & colours/arts & crafts)
HOW MUCH?£10 Pay on the door
You will get a canvas each and we will share brushes and paints, and there may be a fun little encouragement activity at the end too!
WHY?
The Cause
This is a fundraising event put on by myself, Destiny, in order to raise money for my mum’s natural cancer treatments.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2018 and since has been doing so much research into her illness and everything surrounding it. We have decided to trust God and go the natural route, having seen wonders of healing testimonies, some from our own church!
You can see details of some of the treatments she will be having by clicking this link to the GoFundMe page: gf.me/u/sh8szk
For around 3 years, I have been increasingly interested in natural wellness and holistic health. Starting in University and ever since, I have been looking for non toxic ways to manage my period properly and ultimately reduce the pains I get.
The cramps I have experienced have been bad, bed-binding, 3-day lasting symptoms, but slowly I have found new ways of BEING ME even on my period week! You can read about the shift in lifestyle here.
This post is to shout out a brand I am pleased to be an ambassador for, and one who promotes natural soothing for women experiencing PMS, endometriosis and other related illnesses. I am proud to be sharing in a brand that cares about period positivity as well as essential oils and natural remedies, and so BE YOU is perfect!
BE YOUprovide amazing patches made from all natural ingredients, that come in packs of 5. As soon as you place an order you can be sure HELP IS ON THE WAY! My first impressions were so positive as anything that promotes non-toxicity is a winner! I approached them straight away and sought out a trial with them! It was destiny really 😉
A BE YOU patch resembles a giant plaster, and can be applied pretty much anywhere you need relief so long as it can attach to your skin. When I opened the packet I was sure this would help and trusted I would not need to use pain killers again. The scent of them is heavily menthol and eucalyptus and those oils not only heal pain but send soothing signals to your mind too! Perfect for going to sleep OR staying awake and energised whilst cramping.
I have been using these patches for 3 months now and I won’t go back. Along with the rest of my new lifestyle changes, I have seen a massive reduction in period pain and there is no need for me grab paracetamol (YAY).
The prices range from £4.99 – around £7 depending on shipping and whether you want the patches on subscription. I really encourage everyone to try them for a time and allow yourself to get used to non-toxic pain relief!
This is not a pill and you won’t be healed from the causes of your cyclical pain; for an insight into that keep following me on Instagram! Nevertheless, BE YOU does help you in your moments of need!
For as long as I can remember, I have had “bad period pains”. I know that phrase means different things for different women and so for me, here’s what it looked like over the years.
Absolutely every day one – day 3 spent in bed
Dizziness for days where spinning seemed normal
Horrid cramping and feeling sick
Just wanting to sleep all the time
I used to take Feminax Ultra (the blue packet) over the counter, as that was the only thing that was strong enough, then eventually, that didn’t help anymore. Suffering with IBS for many years (more about that in another post), meant I needed to take care of my gut more so than anything else as that is where all health lies! Painkillers and drugs really do mess up your gut bacteria and since I don’t have a lot of good bacteria in my tummy anyways, I really had to make the change from drugs to natural, lasting remedies.
When you go natural, it is important to understand that your body needs time to adjust. You have taught it to cooperate with strong medicines, drugs and synthetic things for however long, and so you must be patient and mindful going into a life of wellness again.
Consistency is key, and after giving my body room to receive natural treatments I was ready to see & feel change! I am happy to say that after a week of natural treatment and a long journey towards consistency, I no longer have cramps that cause me to reach for pain killers. Yayy!! Here’s what I do…
Daily Supplements:
Evening Primrose Oil
Vitamin B Complex
Iron & Zinc (after years of this, I only now take these occasionally as my food intake covers it usually)
Externals:
Natural body products like shower gels, toothpaste, deodorants and creams…
BeYou patches: These are new and amazing! It’s basically a plaster infused with natural oils like eucalyptus and menthol, that can last up to 12 hours. I use these as soon as i feel the pain coming on during day 1 of my period. I use it on my lower back and on my tummy and they really do help me forget about the slight cramps I may get now and again. Make sure you seal the packet and open your pores with a warm flannel after patch use.
Prayer & Meditation
Exercise: I like to do Hiit Yoga, trampolining and general gym when I can. I tell you, this is key guys!
Hot baths with Epsom salts for magnesium intake! At least once a week if you can
Foods:
EAT/DRINK YOUR GREENS
Turmeric (is the earth’s real gold!) It is anti inflammatory and drinking a tumeric tea with cayenne pepper and ginger will help ease your pains for sure. Drink this every week of every month!
Avocado, Beetroot, Pomegranate, Pineapple... (to name a few!)
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leave dairy alone (inflammation overload! That includes chocolate)
leave sugar and refined foods alone (Tastes good I know but good for nothing!)
Drink more water. I can’t tell you how much more water we should be going for!
I found once I started to intentionally wake up and manifest good health into my life, these practises became 2nd nature to me. An overall approach to good health is better than picking and choosing here and there. Try to be consistent with what you do and you will see results.
This post was inspired by the artist Hollyn – & her newly released project – Bye, Sad Girl.
We have all heard it..”Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself!”
This is a story of a girl who knew no better than to pity herself, in light of all the seemingly unfortunate circumstances that came her way. She would once get sad & anxious, more times in a month than she wanted to, & crying was part of her routine. It was only on “good days” that she might NOT have spilt her mind out onto her yellowed journal pages; other times, she just couldn’t put the pen down. With God to complain to & her boyfriend to listen to her pitiful monologues, her world was getting dark.
This girl was me. I thank God for the past tense, because it was about to get INtense if i hadn’t already! Along the spiral of pity, there is selfishness, anxiety, loneliness, guilt, false guilt and depression. Here are are 5 things that helped me in this season, and still now…
Education
Friendship
Counsel
Prayer
Meditation
I was lead to a place where I could detach myself from “sorry girl”, no longer my destiny, no longer me. Although a continuing journey, when I am tempted to take sorry girl’s hand, I can refuse in strength and victory.
Hearing the story behind Hollyn’s Bye Sad Girl project, I was instantly liberated! I know we are all, in some way, suffering darkness in what we often forget is a spiritual battle too! I was encouraged by the song and it’s message of finally letting go of the comforting choking we are all too familiar with.
I encourage you to start your journey of saying goodbye ______ girl/guy.
So long as your security lies in people, places, positions & the pounds you make, discontent will haunt your life… – (paraphrased) Vivian Clark
I don’t really think I am ready to write on this yet, since it seems like I might not ever overcome it. But here I am, mainly because I said I would put something up on my blog, after a long break from writing publicly.
Currently, I am sitting on my bedroom floor, watching this one star that is outshining the rest tonight. It’s for sure twinkling and if i squint my eye a little, I can see it’s colours! I’m so in love with the night. Although it can be the most torturing time of day for my mind, it seems to hold a stillness, and a peace that nobody can take away from me.
I enjoy the way darkness closes me in, like a hug. I love nature’s sky lights, the moon and stars that keep me company as I sit here. I am fascinated with how the sunset hue melts so graciously into midnight blue, as the sky begins to glow. – @destinyjoeliviablogs
I can sit here for days, and I will most definitely make sure I create window nooks in my own home, so that everyone can appreciate this same beauty from my windows.
On Contentment; I don’t quite know what to say right now except this small truth:
I am just 25 years old. In the past year, I have had some life-changing and heartbreaking realities to deal with, and on top of that, I still can’t find a decent full-time job, that pays well enough for me to fund my lifestyle as well as giving me the freedom of time and energy to live. Lol, I feel silly even writing this, but I guess that’s why I haven’t come on here for a long time. For fear that it’s all just nothingness and nobody cares. Even if that is true, there is something mighty freeing about pressing ‘publish’ on a bunch of thoughts that haunt you, when your journal is just not enough.
It’s tricky, knowing when to push, and knowing when to stop striving. Knowing what is ‘stepping outside of your comfort zone’ and what is keeping yourself protected/safe from whatever you might be fearful of. It’s this balance that doesn’t seem to exist, that is where i’m struggling to place myself right now.
I hope one day, and each day, in this season, I can learn to love the now, learn to love and accept who God has made me to be, right now. I hope you can too!
destinyjoelivia 