Become an Abolitionist

Hunter and I had the opportunity to attend a screening of the film, The Abolitionists, last week. 

To be completely honest, we went not really thinking we would get much out of the movie and used it as more of a date night.

However, we left with a completely different feeling!

Both of us left that night completely inspired to do our part in making a difference. 

So... what is the movie about?

The shortened version is this... 

Today there are over two million enslaved children forced into the sex industry around the world. 

If you ask me, that alone is completely sickening. 

So the movie is about rescuing these children and saving them from the horror they are living.

On December 10th, 2013 Special Agent Tim Ballard (aka Hunter's mother's cousin's son... ha did you get that?) turned in his Homeland Security badge and  resigned from his employment with the United States government. 

He had spent over a decade rescuing these poor children from child sex tourism both domestically and overseas. 

Though his job was difficult, he was proud that his country was one of very few in the world who was actually doing anything about this problem. 

However, mired in red tape and bureaucracy, Tim left to begin saving the children that he saw falling out of the purview of the US government. 

These children constitute over 90% of the children lost to child sex slavery and he could do nothing to help them while in the employment of the US government.

This is a story about the lost children from other countries and the rescue team’s exploits as they investigate and liberate enslaved children from around the world.

Okay, so you're thinking one of 3 things right now... maybe a few of them actually... but I'm sure you're thinking something along the lines of...

1) "Wow sounds interesting! I'd actually love to see this movie! Tell me more about where and when I can see it!"

2) "I'm a parent myself and I really don't want to watch this. It sounds like it would make me sick. How else can I help?"

3) "I'm not very interested."

So, here are my answers!

If you're number one, yay! 

You really will not regret it!

Click this link to buy your tickets today :)

Also, tell all your friends to go see it!

It will only be in theaters for one day at the moment, which is May 16th.

If we can fill those theaters it will receive a theatrical release and play longer!

If you're number two... I understand!

That's actually exactly how I felt after reading up on it before I saw the movie.

It's hard, as a mom, to think about the terrible situations these children are in.

However, the movie is very well done!

It is made in a PG-13 manner because they wanted to make it appropriate for young moviegoers to see what is happening around them as well. 

It is meant to caution them and wake the audience up while not scaring them away from the theater due to the darkness of the subject matter. 

The goal was not to sicken people but rather to inform them and motivate them to do whatever they could do as individuals, within their own sphere of influence, to stop this plague of human trafficking.

Not to mention, 15% of the profit of movie sales from theaters will be going directly to Operation Underground Railroad which is the organization that creates the missions to save these children.

However, if you see the movie at a Larry H. Miller theater 100% of the proceeds will go to "OUR"!

If you still don't feel like seeing the movie is a good fit... you can donate by clicking here!

And if you're number three... please hear me out!

This is something that isn't just happening overseas. 

It is happening right here in America too, and we need to protect our children from it.

In fact, Utah is actually the number one state where child sex trafficking happens.

Terrifying!

Please join me in taking a stand against this!

Check out this site to be even more inspired. 

Please join us in taking a stand against this horrifying crime that generates over 32 billion dollars yearly. 

There are also several other ways you can help... like attending events!

Here is a link to a few that sound pretty cool!

My little family will be attending the Rescue Run 5k in Lehi on May 21st and we are so excited!

I would absolutely love to see you there!

All money raised by the run will be donated to Operation Underground Railroad.

In just two years, they have already saved over 419 victims!

Just imagine how many more we can save if we just bring awareness to this subject!

To register click here and make sure to use code: INSTAGRAM to get $5 off your registration :)

I really hope you go see this movie in theaters on May 16th and attend the run!

I'll be there walking with my Oaks ;)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Tasty Tuesday: My Favorite Green Smoothie

I like green veggies, in fact, my favorite veggie ever is hands down broccoli.

I love salads, zucchini is a staple in our house, and I crave balsamic baked asparagus!

However, I'm definitely guilty of not eating my greens every single day.

Or.. smothering them with cheese or salt to make them taste even better!

I also struggle to get my 13 month old to eat her veggies.

So, I decided to try out making a green smoothie every day!

It came out so great on the first try and I've now been making this exact smoothie for the past few weeks every single morning.

I literally crave it if I don't have it and it is totally making me feel better throughout the day.

It is such a quick and easy way to load up on my greens and fruits.

I usually give Oaklyn some in a sippy cup as well, but she doesn't always drink it... we're trying!

This recipe should make two full glasses (I use mason jars) and just one glass is really filling!

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients:

-1 cup (more or less depending on the consistency you like) 100% apple juice (I use Motts)

-1/4 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk

-1 cup ice (pebble ice is the best!)

-1/2 of a frozen banana 

-3 or 4 cut up strawberries

-2 huge handfuls of spinach (seriously put as much in as possible!)

-1 big handful of kale

-1 tbsp vanilla Greek yogurt

Directions:

1) I always put my ice in the blender first. I like when it gets crushed up well, so I want it to be the first thing to hit the blade.

2) Add your fruit! I usually buy a bag of bananas from Costco. I'll go home and peel them, then cut them in half. I stick them in a Ziploc baggy and put that in the freezer so they are all ready for my smoothie! I don't freeze the strawberries (but you could if you want!) and I just cut the stems off and cut them in half and throw them in the blender!

3) Stuff in your greens! Seriously guys, that was a rough estimate of how much I put in, but I load my greens up to the top. You can hardly taste them! I buy the huge bag of spinach from Costco and Kale from Sprouts. 

4) Add your Greek Yogurt. You don't have to add this, but I think it sweetens it a little and makes it a little more creamy.

5) Add your juice and almond milk! I don't actually measure these but what I put above sounds about right. Play around with it to get your desired consistency.

5) I blend until everything is blended together really well. You did something wrong if your smoothie doesn't come out green haha.

I hope you guys enjoy this simple recipe!

I would love to hear how you make your green smoothies!

Let me know your favorite recipe in the comments!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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7 Benefits of Drinking Herbal Tea

There’s just something about a soothing, warm cup of herbal tea on a blustery day or a mason jar filled to the brim with delicious and cold herbal iced tea on a sunny day.

 But besides being a tasty, warming, and a caffeine-free pick-me-up, herbal tea is jam packed with many health benefits that may just convince you to start drinking it. Drinking herbal tea can also be a great source of vitamins and minerals and has even been told to include more than your average vitamin capsule.

Herbal tea isn’t actually made from "tea" which is a specific kind of plant. It is an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots, or bark extracted in hot water forming a tea-like warm or cold drink. In drinking a well-steeped herbal tea, we get all the plant’s benefits in an easily digestible form

So what exactly are the health benefits of drinking herbal tea? Here's a few to start!

1) Reduces restlessness and insomnia
It has been proven that herbal tea can actually help you sleep better! I like to drink the Teami Relax Tea and use my teami infuser at the end of the night to help me unwind and relax before bed. It includes 5 soothing ingredients such as Lavender Flower, Chamomile, Lemon Grass, Orange peel, and Valerian Root extract. It also contains potassium, calcium, and vitamin B.

2) Can help prevent and treat colds

Most all herbal teas are packed with vitamins and minerals that can keep you healthy when sickness hits your house, neighborhood, friend's house, work, church, or day care. 

3) Calms muscles and mind

Did you know that drinking herbal tea alone can relax your whole body? I read recently that several athletes drink herbal tea after using their body to perform. It helps calm their body down after intensely working it out. This can be the same for a stressed mom with loads to do, a father with endless work, or a teen with a test coming up.

4) Can calm and relax an upset tummy

I end up with an upset tummy often due to stress. Drinking herbal tea can easily help relax your upset tummy and give you some relief. It can work almost the same as taking medicine from the store but is much safer and better for you.

5) Hydrates your body
I love drinking plenty of water throughout the day, but not everyone does. Herbal tea can help hydrate your body which is much needed to help your brain and body function properly.

6) Aromatherapy
Just by holding the cup in your hands and breathing the scents in, you are doing your body good with aromatherapy. Aromatherapy helps address your body's needs and can reduce stress and pain levels.

7) Can promote weight loss
There are certain herbal teas out there that can actually help with weight loss! So you are getting all the benefits mentioned above but can also lose weight. Some teas include spicy cinnamon tea, teami colon cleanse, and teami skinny tea
Just by drinking herbal tea you can make all sorts of significant changes to your mood, your skin, your sense of well-being and energy.

Have I convinced you yet?
Give herbal tea a try, but make sure you are choosing a brand with quality ingredients.
I suggest taking a look at all of the blends from teami.
They have several options to choose from and are all natural and do good for your body.
What is your favorite herbal tea to drink?
All my love,
Aleigh Joy 

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How I Lost the Baby Weight + Lean Cuisine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NourishWhatMatters #CollectiveBias 

I know I'll never see my pre-baby body back exactly how it was.

My skin is looser in areas that only plastic surgery can fix and I have a few stretch marks that are there to stay. 

However, I made it a goal to lose all the baby weight and get toned.

With Hunter's help on making a doable workout at home during nap time and eating healthier, I'm happy to say I'm back at my pre-baby weight!

I definitely indulged a bit over the holidays and didn't work out like... at all... but I'm excited to be back at it and feeling a whole lot better!

It really is true that you feel so much better when you eat well and exercise.

Once I began doing those two things I noticed my PPD disappearing right before my eyes. 

My days were happier and I slept significantly better. 

I try to eat a healthy breakfast that also fills me up.

I like to make scrambled eggs, a bowl of oatmeal, or even something as simple as cheerios with almond milk.

I also love that I can share all three of these things with Oaklyn and she loves them all!

For lunch I'm usually rushing around because we're trying to get out the door before Oaklyn gets fussy and needs to take a nap.

I found myself grabbing chips and other random snacks that first off, weren't good for me and second, didn't even fill me up! Because of that, I was constantly snacking throughout the day on unhealthy foods.

I love eating a Lean Cuisine for lunch! It's quick and easy and I can make it while I'm getting Oaklyn's lunch ready as well.

By having Lean Cusines stacked in your freezer and ready to be put in the microwave you can feed your food mood by choosing exactly the dish that sounds good on that day. No more eating something you don't like!

Lean Cuisine provides so many protein packed options that are perfect for a nursing mama or anyone just trying to get extra protein in without supplements.

Flavors are made with organic ingredient options and non-GMO options as well!
Lean Cuisine has so many good for you options to introduce into your balance and your life.

For this post I was eating the LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese and it was so delicious! I had a salad on the side and was full all the way until dinner time.

I buy all of my Lean Cusines at my local Target and I'm happy to share that they are on sale for only$2 each right now! 

Head on ever and stock up today!

If you forget, make sure to check out this coupon for $1 off any 5 that started on 1/3.

For Dinner we really just eat whatever sounds good as long as it has protein and a vegetable or two. I usually include a starch as well though.

If I need a snack throughout the day I love eating granola bars or veggies with hummus.

I try to work out around 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

This can be anywhere from a hike or walk, to time at the gym or a workout at home as long as I'm active. 

Hunter and I started going for walks very quickly after Oaklyn was born. It calmed her down and helped me get out of the house. It also got me back into the swing of working out gradually.

After being cleared on my 6 week check up I jumped back in to working out.

If I'm not going for a walk or going to the gym, here is my at home workout either while Oaklyn naps or after she goes to bed!

It may seem a little hard at first but it will get much easier and your body will thank you!

If you feel like you're pushing too hard you can modify each of these exercises by cutting them in half and working up to the full workout.

I do the whole circuit over and over until I've reached 30 minutes of exercise.

Also, make sure to stretch before and after!

1. Jog in place for 1 minute to get heart rate up and going
2. High knees 30 seconds
3. Lunges 10 each leg
4. Squats 10 times
5. Plank 1 Minute
6. 50 regular crunches
7. 50 butterfly position crunches (works lower abs!)
8. 50 bicycles
9. 25 side crunches right
10. 25 side crunches left
11. 10 push ups regular or girl 

Repeat!

There ya have it!

This is how I've created a healthy lifestyle and lost the baby weight!

I still have a ways to go as far as reaching my goals goes, but I'm very happy with where I am 10 months PP!

Whether you had a baby or not, this is a great workout for everyone!

Remember to check out the Lean Cuisine Marketplace options for your lunch and you are sure to create the healthy lifestyle you've been wanting!

What is your favorite at home workout and Lean Cuisine option?

Let me know in the comments!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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