Blog
Why Meditation Might Not Work for You
It's no secret that meditation is touted to be a powerful way to reduce stress and provide a multitude of various wellness benefit from lowering blood pressure, increasing productivity, and even helping with weight loss. Science is discovering more and more...
5 Mistakes Commonly Made When Stressed Out
When you start to get stressed out does it ever seem like life starts to come at you from all directions? If you are nodding your head "yes", you're not alone. It can seem like the minute something stressful heads our way, we seem to attract more and more of...
5 Easy Ways to Stop Letting Stress Sabotage Your Self-Love Journey
I was in my late 20's when I learned that when we're able to effectively love ourselves, stress just about vanishes. Think about it. If you've got a healthy, loving relationship with yourself, you hold boundaries around your time, you don't let the world weigh...
Taking Control of Your Inbox to Relieve Stress
There are two types of people... those who keep an their email inboxes emptied out at all times and those who have over 1000 emails sitting in their inbox. Usually vowing that soon I'll take some time, respond, look at the interesting ones, and sort out the...
Surprising Ways to Manage Your Time
One certainty in life is that time is limited. While no one's sure exactly how many years they'll be given to finish doing what they want to do, everything's equal for each day you are given. Everyone has the same 86,400 seconds in a day to dream, determine...
Create Space for Something Wonderful
A friend once told me that it was suggested to her that if she wanted to find a partner, to make room in her life for her ideal man. I really liked the idea of that. The idea of preparing for something great to enter our lives. It is the law of attraction at...
9 Simple Ways to Kick Fear to the Curb
From time to time it hits me that I've traveled the country for two years speaking about holistic health, stress management, essential oils, and business, have two meditation podcasts - I which has consistently been in the top 100 in iTunes Alternative Health,...
Create Your Meditation Space
While having a dedicated meditation space is by no means necessary, it is something that I've found really nice to have. It's that daily reminder to meditate. It's inviting, safe, and inspiring. Having a dedicated space tells the universe and yourself that you are...
Letting Go of the Weight of the World: 6 Ways to Let Go of Perfection
Do you ever procrastinate on a project because you haven't figured out how to best do it? Are you hyper critical of everything you do? Do you set lofty goals and beat yourself up or even give up when you don't achieve them? I call this standing in your...
Self-Love: Your Secret Weapon Against Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety often go hand in hand. When you feel stressed or anxious, your physical and mental well-being can suffer - You're definitely not living your best quality of life if you experience these things on a regular basis. Learning to love yourself can...
10 Reasons to Say Yes to Saying No
When I first got sober, I didn't have a whole lot going on other than learning how to live again. I had been too flaky and too selfish to have any real commitments outside of my obligations. But as I started to restructure my life and add pieces in bit by bit,...
10 Simple Ways to Break the Cycle of Being Too Busy
August has always been one of the most chaotic times of year in my household. Between kids going back to school, winding down from the summer, and my allergies setting off a POTS flare up, it's usually busy and I'm usually under the weather. This year has...
Why Free Courses Don’t Work
Imagine this... you open your inbox and find a wonderful email saying that your favorite mentor is giving you a challenge or short course that will solve one of your biggest struggles, and it's free! Awesome right? Yes and no. As a wellness professional, I...
10 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress without Medication
Stress can sneak up out of nowhere and take hold of every area of your life. It's easy to prepare and keep an eye out for stress when you've got a big event coming up, but what about the stress that comes on like a ninja in the shadows? Sneaking up in ways you never...
5 Ways to Add Balance to Your Life Today
Balance... does it even exist? It sure does! Thing is, when it comes to trying to find balance in our lives, most people overshoot the mark, focus solely on one area - creating a whole new imbalance, or have given up entirely. What even is...
5 Easy Ways to Prevent Your Days from Blurring Together
Have you found yourself asking, "What day is it?" over the past couple months? 6 years ago when I first started working from home I found myself asking that CONSTANTLY. You might giggle now about the need to change from your day to night pajamas, but it will get old....
Ways to Naturally Calm Anxiety
Anxiety. If you've ever lived with it, you know how crippling it can be. If you've ever lived with it without knowing that it was anxiety... you may have found yourself wondering if you were losing your mind. Questioning if there was something wrong with you,...
The Benefits of Detox Baths + 10 Detox Bath Recipes
Detox... it's almost a dirty word these days. Detoxification is more than just a fad, it's completely valid. If something is toxic, it's harmful... so it makes perfect sense that you'd want to make sure to remove anything harmful you may be subjected to,...
Taking Time to THRIVE
You may have noticed that over the past few weeks I haven't been online much. There is good reason for it! I have been out living. I mean, going out on adventure after adventure, thrive, making up for lost time, filling my soul at the deepest level type of living. A...
Reclaiming Your Life No Matter What
A few years ago, my entire life was turned upside down by a series of events. The biggest thing was getting really sick and eventually discovering I had POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia), Dysautonomia, EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), and a host of other...
Are You Living? 3 Ways to REALLY Live
Are you really living? It's a serious question, I promise. A lot of us aren't living. A lot of us are waiting until we get [the house, the kids, the husband, the raise, the better body, etc]. So many things that put life on hold. So many excuses to shrink into...
3 Things You Can Do Today to Stop People Pleasing
I grew up as a chameleon. I always felt insecure, inferior, and inadequate. You seemed much more interesting and worthwhile than I did, so I tried doing the things you liked, tried having the same interests, the same goals. Of course, at the time I had no idea I was...
Enhancing Your Meditation Practice with Essential Oils
Two of my favorite things ever... essential oils and meditation. Guess what? Essential oils and meditation play well together! I'll share with you a bit about the why, but let's be completely honest here... you are more curious about how to. That's why I am going show...
Food Logging & Invisible Calories
Do you ever have the mentality that if you don't look at something, then it doesn't exist? Yes, definitely avoidance at it's best. You convince yourself that you're eating good, healthy foods. That you aren't taking in more energy than your expelling, but yet...
Meditation Helps Everything – My Meditation Journey Both as an Addict and Sober
What does meditation help with? Everything. Free 3 Minute Meditation Okay, that's a bit of a blanket statement, but after practicing meditation for years, in a wide variety of life circumstances, I can truly say that there isn't a single facet of...
My God Doesn’t Fit Into a Box
There is a huge shift happening right now and it's pretty damn exciting. Many people are becoming more open to the unknown and searching for ways to become more spiritual, even if they have reservations or blocks when it comes to organized religion. I'm writing...
Create More Time in Your Day
Time... it's something we all wish we had more of. No matter where your income bracket lies, no matter who you are, we all have the same 86,400 seconds in each day. So why does it seem like some people have an abundance, while you have none? It doesn't really even...
DIY: Deep Cleaning Flouride Free Mouthwash
Growing up, I didn't have the best oral health routine. I was the kid who would regularly forget to brush my teeth, then when it came time to go to the dentist, I would brush frantically hoping it wouldn't be obvious. I still remember being 10 years old, brushing my...
7 Easy Ways to Reboot a Healthy Life
Some people think that a healthy weight, feeling good, looking good, and such is something that happens when you eat right and workout. To an extent that's true, but there is a bit more than that involved. Chances are if you are reading, you are already pretty aware...
Getting Back into the Fitness Groove
There is nothing worse than getting into a rockin' fitness routine and having something happen to drive it off course. I love being active but when I get out of the habit, it is so hard to get the balling rolling again as it is for pretty much everyone I've ever...
Getting Your Healthy Eating Habits Back on Track
Last week I talked about the indications that a backslide is starting or in full swing in managing your weight loss. This week, we are focusing on part of the solution... getting healthy eating habits back on track. I broke it up a little because just like anything...
Weight Loss: Signs You are Starting to Backslide
You did! You have hit your goal weight, you feel amazing, and it feels weird not to have healthy habits. But then something changes, it may be a relationship, job, illness, whatever... but something comes along that shakes up your life. Your routine is completely...
9 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Exercise
With the holiday season passing, many of us are resolving to shed pounds, reclaim our health, or be more active. Gyms and fitness equipment companies are basking in their busy season, and most people embarking on this journey are on fire, a fire that if not fueled,...
When New Year Resolutions Wear Thin
It's almost a full month into the new year, so let's get real here... How are you doing on that resolution you made back on January 1st? I am going to be honest, I don't make resolutions anymore. Three weeks was about the half-life of my resolutions and they...
6 Favorite Essential Oils for Focus
In today's modern society where we all seem to be over booked, over stressed, and over stimulated, it can be difficult at times to maintain focus. In 2015, when I started traveling frequently, there were periods of time (which was most of the time), where I feel like...
Embrace You & Always Remember to Shine
I remember the first event I went to where I knew there would be other health and wellness professionals present and I was terrified! In my mind, my authentic self just didn't measure up. I’ve worked in the field for over a decade, but as I have not mastered the art...
“Quick & Dirty” Bodyweight Workout
Crunched for time this holiday season? Here is a workout you can do if you can't make it to the gym. It is part of my "Quick and Dirty" workout series. Why "Quick and Dirty"? It doesn't take long to get through the workout, but it really makes you break a sweat. I...
Stay Ahead of the Curve this Holiday Season
A lot of people tend to backslide on their wellness, fitness, and weight loss goals over the holiday season. It is a bit easier to justify when you are super busy and the New Year is right around the corner, along with New Year's resolutions. It's one of the meanest...
10 Ways to Start 2017 Fabulously Fit
Keeping your motivation to exercise can be difficult anytime, much less the holiday season. During the holidays I sometimes find myself wanting to pat myself on the back for just keeping up with all the festivities and excusing myself from working out...
Be Kind to You: Don’t Write “Checks” Today You Won’t Want to Cash Tomorrow
It may surprise you to learn that this holistic health coach used to live by the "everything is going to kill you so why bother" mentality. I used to joke about that as I ate food that wasn't really food, when I would light up a cigarette, when I'd get the generic...
5 Ways to Be Active Outdoors Before Winter Comes
I am a child of the summer. It is those warm sunny months that motivate and fuel me. Before I became a personal trainer I absolutely refused to carry a gym membership during the months of summer and the only reason I held one after was because one huge perk of being...
Super Food for Your Face
When I was younger, I remember my aunt telling me (often) that my skin was like porcelain. And she was right. Like any good teen, I took it for granted. Of course I did the basics like washing my face twice a day and since I didn't want pimples, I vaguely remember a...
7 Sneaky Ways to Stay Active This Winter
There is a chill in the air and the days of frolicking in the sun are tucked away until next spring. Some people turn to the gym over the colder months, some love being active in the cold, some vow to start exercising at home, and others just go on hiatus until it...
Letting Go of the Weight of the World: 6 Ways to Let Go of Perfectionism
Do you ever procrastinate on a project because you haven't figured out how to best do it? Are you hyper critical of everything you do? Do you set lofty goals and beat yourself up or even give up when you don't achieve them? I call this standing in my own way. My life...
Better Than Burt’s: All Natural Lip-Balm
For Christmas 2013, in an attempt to be thrifty I decided to craft many of my Christmas gifts to share some of my favorite things. I began with a mason jar, decorating it with raffia and burlap ribbon (huge time commitment for a perfectionist like me!), added...
Nurture the Superhero in You
http://youtu.be/WIm1GgfRz6M Every now and then there comes along a song that really moves me and burns into my soul. I am not sure if it where I am at in my life or not, but this one really resonates in me and inspire me to persevere. Lately I...
8 Favorite Essential Oils for Stress Management
Over the past couple years, I have learned how different traveling is when driving versus flying. Usually it entails a whirlwind of emotions and going non-stop with the exception of something like a two hour walk down the Hudson River. (since as you know, I have a...
DIY All Natural Yoga Mat Spritzer
I love yoga. I have a couple yoga mats and I treat them with TLC. We've been through a lot together. My beloved yoga mats have been there as I have released tension, anxiety, and fear; they have witnessed my heart fill with peace, love, and serenity. They have...
DIY Salve: Naturally Soothe Dry and Chapped Skin
As the cold weather sets in, many people are much more prone to getting chapped and dry skin. We've all experienced it. Last year my husband was struggling with how his hands were starting to really get tore up from all of the hand-washing he was doing at his last job...
DIY All Natural Dry Shampoo That Will Rock Your World
A few years ago I swore off using dry shampoo. The kind I was using was full of chemicals, came from an aerosol can, and frankly, I was abusing the right to use it. I don't normally use "product" in my hair and I probably use my straightener and blow dryer maybe 3...
The Critical Moment In Growth
There comes a point in growth that a choice must be made. This applies in areas of our lives, as well as literally in many cases. It is a critical moment that determines if growth is to cease or if the growth will continue on. It's the moment when the current space no...
When Your Life No Longer Fits You
I am full of dreams, ideas, plans… and I usually put them into motion. However, life sometimes has different plans. I am not sure when exactly it happened, but somewhere in my early adult life (probably after making TONS of really bad life decisions) I realized and it...
Using Essential Oils – After You Open the Bottle
Frequently, I notice two things that happen when people start using essential oils. I am using the term using them loosely. They become a pricey, high quality shelf ornament or paperweight. They are used with little regard for their potency or safety. I get it, I was...
No One Is an Island – Why Your “Tribe” is Important
Have you ever gotten lost in your thoughts or felt it absolutely necessary to figure out how to do something all on your own? For some reason, this is how I am naturally programmed. At some point I decided that it was necessary to be 100% self-reliant. Perhaps it is...
Having A Case of The Mondays? Naturally Boost Your Energy Levels
Did you leave your mojo in the weekend? Does the thought of running to the gas station and grabbing every sugar-laden, caffeine-loaded drink and shooter you can find sound like it may be the only option to make it through the day? Before you go and trash your body...
4 Ways to Simplify Healthy Eating
One of the best tools I have found when losing weight or trying to change my eating habits has been learning to prepare meals ahead of time. I get it, I've been there. Having the best intentions until finding yourself in a situation where you need to eat but the urge...
Why Essential Oils ROCK for School
It's undeniable, the fall is right around the corner and kids everywhere are dusting off their backpacks and preparing to go back to school. My 9 year old son is starting third grade with much excitement, while my "tweenage" 12 year old daughter wants these last few...
Scatter Brain Syndrome
Ever experience so much overwhelm it seems like no matter what you do, you don't make any progress? As a born perfectionist and overachiever, I make it a regular habit of putting way too much on my plate. (It is a bit odd since I appreciate the simplicity in life more...
Essential Oils You’ll Love for Pokemon Go
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about Pokemon Go. After a couple days of vowing not to download the app, I broke down in a moment of weakness to entertain my son during a wedding rehearsal. Confession time... I'm hooked. While I...
Ditch the Gym & Stay Fit
I have a confession. A big ol' hairy one. I am a personal trainer who hates gyms. They just aren't logical to me. Don't get me wrong, I completely believe in the value and necessity of working out, exercising, and being active. However, I don't see the necessity of...
Running off the Rails of a Crazy Train: 5 Steps to Simplify and Re-prioritize Your Life
Do you ever feel like your life is speeding by, then every time you start to get the hang of things, the game changes and you are left spinning out of control? If you said no, I envy you. You have your shit straight and know how to prioritize. You have no reason to...
That Excuse is Bullsh*t – 5 Ways to Start Eating Clean Today
Healthy eating. Chances are, if you are reading this, this word creates a bit of stress in and of itself. When did eating become so damn complicated? There are thousands of different experts out there who will tell you that their one way is the way that you should be...
Meditation Monday – Just for a Minute!
Have you ever woken up and written off your day before even getting out of bed? Mondays are usually connected with a negative connotation, Manic Mondays, Case of the Mondays, etc. I can't think of a worse way to embark on a new week than going into the first day with...
6 Tips to Tell the World to F*** Off, Respectfully
One thing I have learned through the years of working in the wellness industry is that many people struggle with being able to put themselves first. It's almost considered selfish these days. This leads me to... Why do you care if someone thinks you are selfish for...
8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Sane While in “Survival Mode”
Something that has been very apparent over the past decade is that while many of us know what we should be doing to properly support our mind, body, and spirit, sometimes we go through periods that make it almost impossible to actually meet all of the ideals....
Self-Care In Chaotic Times
When I first started traveling regularly in 2015, I quickly adapted a "preparation-mode". I'd book flights, arrange and rearrange my schedule, figure out where I would be laying my head at night, you know, the details that take just as much time as the trips...
DIY: Dry All Day Natural Deodorant
I have been experimenting with different natural deodorant recipes for a while. Up until now it has been a lot of trial and error, whether it just wasn't effective enough, or it wouldn't stay solid. I finally found one that I feel comfortable turning to on a daily...
Dear Diary: Food Journaling 101
Choose Your Medium: I suggest either pen and paper or a phone app, either of which you can carry at all times so it is readily available. If you go with a mobile phone app or computer site, I HIGHLY recommend MyFitnessPal! Write It Down Right Away: Each nibble, each...
6 Simple Ways to Brighten Up Any Day
I love the colors of fall. The season is changing and along with it come bonfires, hoodies, trips to the apple orchards, and more activities than I know what to do with. Every year around this time, however, I always seem to get a shift in perspective... the "blahs"...
Why My Blog’s Been On Hiatus and A New Challenge
The Naturally Ashlie blog has been on hiatus. It even completely disappeared for a bit! There have been a ton of change going on. It seems that has been the theme of my year almost! I want to let you know what exactly is going on with the blog and the changes you are...
DIY Natural Bug Spray – Keep Bugs from Feasting on You
Have you ever sprayed yourself with conventional bug spray and touched something with printing on it afterward? I have. It is pretty nasty! I ended up with the print on my hand, took it right off of the package. That's reassuring (insert heavy sarcasm here...)...
Get Lost to Be Present
I am known to be guilty from time to time of getting completely wrapped up in my life. Sounds pretty normal right? It is somewhere I don't like to be. I love my life, I am grateful for my life, but I want to experience it, not focus on it. It's like when I am wrapped...
Beauty in Challenging Times
I love my family, I love my work, and I absolutely feel I have been extremely blessed in life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel and get to teach others about essential oils and the business behind it. However, I am going to be relieved when this four...
6 Tips to Stay Healthy and Sane While Traveling
After quickly going from someone who rarely travels to someone who is away more than they are home, I have learned some hard lessons while on the road. Ask for Help If you are like me and cling to self-reliance like it's the last drop of water and you are dying of...
Dodging Colds and Flu for the Crazy Busy
It's 2015, the year is in full swing. I don't know about you, but I have been crazy busy with lots of things going on. Some good, some not-so-good, but mostly good. Either way, so far, 2015 has been a blur! I am going to be traveling coast to coast multiple times over...
Why I Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions
Every year I hear ambitious resolutions from many people around me. Usually these resolutions are to quit something, start something, or change something. Pretty basic, right? I personally haven't made a New Year's resolution in years because they have never seemed to...
Giving Tuesday, #Unselfies, and Dysautonomia
So I know I mention from time to time how I personally manage a lot my dysautonomia, POTS, and EDS symptoms holistically, but with Giving Tuesday an anonymous donor has offered to match all donations made to Dysautonomia International up to $20,000. That is a HUGE...
A Tale of Two Hernias
A few days ago I underwent surgery to repair a hernia. I bounced back and forth on whether I really needed the surgery or not. Now most ailments I normally can just mind my "p"s and "q"s when it comes to nourishment and self-care and turn to my collection of...
The Past Year in Reflection
Every year on my birthday I like to look back on the past year and reflect. I am big on not dwelling on the past, but acknowledging it is a great learning tool, sometimes looking at a bigger picture helps to see things I may have otherwise missed. As I look back on...
When Technology is Not Your Friend
I write this from a foreign computer Mine crashed yesterday. Lately it seems I have been getting curve ball after curve ball when it comes to technology. It started Saturday, we began house-sitting and as I pull into the driveway (while already talking on the phone) I...
My Final Day with My Last Name
My time as "Ashlie Sykora" is drawing to an end. A last name I hated growing up because it was different, hard to pronounce, hard to spell. As I entered my late teens, however, I began to embrace it. I began to love the sound of it. I appreciated that it wasn't...
7 Ways to Create More Balance in Your Life
Lately I have felt like I have been like a hamster on a wheel. You know the one you had in first grade that would endless run and run but never get anywhere? Yeah, I feel like that guy. It takes constant surrender, connecting with a power much larger than myself,...
Finding Strength in Surrender
Ever felt like you are continuously on the verge of drowning? I have. That feeling of frantically treading water just to stay where you are. Like everything in the world is going against you. Here's. Your. Sign. I find that when everything I do feels like a constant...
8 Ways to Live a Little More Each Day
Today has been one of deep introspection. This morning I learned that someone I used to know in high school had passed away. I have known many people over the years who have passed well before their time, but for some reason today it hit me really deeply. I...
A Brief History of Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, courtship, cosmetics, burial services, medicines, and other areas. Through trial and error, ancient civilizations found that essential oils served useful purposes in all areas of...
Six Invaluable Lessons I Learned From My Mom
Happy Mother's Day! In spirit of the holiday, I think of everything I have learned from my parents that have helped to mold and shape who I am as a person, what my values are, and how I see the world. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for them, despite years...
DIY: Natural Deep Conditioner – Nourish Your Hair Naturally
I don't dye my hair, it is down to my waist. I don't generally style my hair unless it is a REALLY special occasion. That doesn't mean that I don't want my hair to be healthy and look amazing. I just am a hair down naturally or up in a ponytail type of gal. I spent a...
Love Potion #9: Essential Oils for Love, Romance, and Getting Frisky
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! When I first started using essential oils, I was about 15 years old. I had read in some magazine about how there was this stuff called essential oils, and further more they could affect the human body. They could affect the mind, the body, and...
7 Ways to Perk Up and Dominate Your Week
Slow-starting, unmotivated, uninspired, scattered, BLAH! Sure sounds like Monday is here again. The truth is, it's really not even that deep. It's all in our own outlook and attitudes. Inertia - noun \i-ˈnər-shə, -shē-ə\ : lack of movement or activity...
A Slice of Pure Serenity in a Sick Day
For having a chronic illness, I don’t get “sick-sick” very often. When I do, I get knocked flat on my butt! That has been the theme this past week. All self-induced, all worth it. Last night as I headed to bed for my night sleep, I was full of gratitude. The day had...
Letting Go of the Stress of 2013 Using Essential Oils
It's a new year, a new you. No more stressing, more organization, so many aspirations for this new year that we are just beginning! Let's be honest, it is not possible for most people to just say "Ok, I am starting fresh." and let go of any previous stress (unless...
DIY – Natural Draino – Clear Your Drains Without Toxins
This weekend we had a little fiasco with our toilet. We rent a duplex with one bathroom and it's pretty old. The shower has always been super slow to drain and upon moving in I was cautioned to make sure not to flush anything other than TP down the toilet because it...