Habit Tracker
As we work towards becoming the best versions of ourselves, tracking our daily habits can be a game-changer. I’ve created a simple habit tracker that I’m using to stay intentional and focused on the goals God has placed on my heart.
If you’d like to join me, here’s a blank habit tracker for you to fill in with your own priorities—whether they’re related to health, prayer, family, or self-care. It’s a tool to help us stay accountable and see the progress we’re making, one small step at a time.
This tracker isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Use it to reflect, adjust, and celebrate the victories God gives us each day.
Let me know if plan to use it! Let’s keep lifting each other up as we work on our habits with grace and perseverance.
In Christ,
Lena
Choose Your Hard
I was recently blessed with an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and share a bit about my wellness journey. I desire to share what has helped me along and inspire others to tend to their healing as I have been inspired by other women’s stories.
Follow-up update to this interview: My mother, age 68, did rip off the bandaid and is now 3 weeks strict carnivore with BBBE (bacon, beef, butter, and eggs). She’s committed to continuing BBBE for the month and may bring in other carnivore foods next month.
Here is the progression of my dietary lifestyle which started with a major overhaul over 12 years ago:
- Gut healing & Sealing (2010)
- Paleoish – GAPS diet
- reduced stressors
- stopped exercising
- Tended to further healing by way of addressing my food addictions (Dec. 2021)
- No sugars & No flours
- Very limited “healthy grains”
- Eat 3 meals a day
- no snacking
- worked on retraining the brain and developing new habits
- Addressed inflammation for greater healing
- brought back in some exercise
- Fasting Like a Girl (autoimmune protocol) (2022)
- Ketovore/Animal Based/Carnivore (2022)
- Lion’s Diet (Jan 2024)
My why is much greater than mere weight loss.
My dedication to embracing a carnivore lifestyle stems from a profound desire to glorify God through transformative self-care. By prioritizing brain health, overcoming food addiction, and addressing longstanding ailments like MCAS, I aim to align with God’s design for my well-being and cooperate with His grace.
This journey towards a Carnivore lifestyle is not merely about personal betterment but also about serving & thriving in my vocation as a wife, mother, grandmother, and caregiver to aging parents. Each choice I make to nourish my body with good foods is a prayerful act, acknowledging that by nurturing my physical health, I am better equipped to fulfill my duties and serve my loved ones with renewed energy and vitality.
This dietary approach allows me to manage my chronic conditions more effectively, providing relief from longstanding ailments that have hindered my quality of life. By embracing a Carnivore lifestyle, I am reclaiming control over my health and well-being, allowing me to THRIVE — all for the glory of God.
I share more @joyfilledwellness
Self Care for the Catholic Mom
Mothers rule the world. They guide the destinies of homes; that is why God is relying on mothers to keep Christ in the world by keeping Him in their hearts and homes.
This month, I was blessed to share about the importance of self-care for mothers (in all seasons) and provide essential oil education to a group of women in a Confraternity of Christian Mothers.
Originated in various parts of France, especially in Lille, when mothers began to gather to pray with and for one another and for their children, to discuss their problems, and to advise one another regarding the Christian rearing of their children. The movement gradually solidified, and on May 1, 1850, the first conference of Christian Mothers was held in Lille, under the leadership of (one of the original members) Louise Josson de Bilhem.
I speak of the self-care, not as the world describes, but as Our Lord desires. The care of self — full body, mind, and spirit so we can thrive to best serve in our vocations as He wills. 
I share as a fellow-mama in the trenches. A mentor. By no means, have I arrived. My words come from a place of Pain to Purpose. I share in hopes to help others along in ways that I would have benefited at an earlier time and benefit now. I share because I trust that my blessings (trials and all) are not for me alone, and it’s to give testimony to the goodness of Our Lord.
It’s not a matter of perfection but faithfulness. Faithfulness to show up every day to do the hard things well and working within our means to the fullest.
We discussed warning signs of burnout and the importance of identifying them early vs. reacting to their major issues.
Here are some common signs that someone is under great stress:
- Chronic fatigue — exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
- Anger, Bitterness, Loneliness
- Self-criticism – decreased self-esteem
- Feelings of being misunderstood
- Cynicism, negativity, and irritability
- Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things
- Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances
- Weight loss or gain
- Sleeplessness and depression
- Shortness of breath
- Anxious
- Feelings of helplessness
- Difficult to build new relationships
- Tough to enjoy new experiences
We reflected on the wisdom of the saints. Motherhood is hard and a good mentor/friend, Titus 2 woman (an elder woman living a life of virtue), would be a great blessing for anyone of us but it isn’t always possible. We must turn to God’s word and those that lived a life of heroic virtue on this earth.
I introduced a Self-Care Challenge for Catholic Mothers, similar to my Love Envelope (for Date Nights). The basis of the challenge is for you to select one task/challenge to be completed throughout the day or week. It can be selected randomly or chosen with intent. Either way, this practice is intended to help mothers avoid burnout and turn their hearts & minds towards the Heart of Christ so they can best serve in their vocations.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOU SELF CARE PRINTABLES
You may offer a donation or use the code motherlove to get your packet for FREE!
- Cover
- Saint Quotes
- Self Care Challenges
An additional tool to help a mom along the lines of self-care is a planner to encourage healthy goals. I created at planner sheet at the start of the year to help mothers along with a RESET. I share here because it is much more than just tool for a small 1x challenge. My planner sheet can be incorporated into your current planner, printed and posted on the fridge, or printed and bounded for use on its own. It provides space to:
- record your goals
- meal plan
- track water
- list a saintly quote for inspiration
- note what you are grateful for each day
- and more!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOU SELF CARE PLANNER PRINTABLE
You may offer a donation or use the code motherlove to get your packet for FREE!
Lastly, we covered natural solutions for moms, our homes, and our families. Living an essential oil lifestyle means turning to what God created, first. It allows our bodies to work at their optimum without synthetic, nasty toxins. doTERRA is changing the way healthcare is delivered and Wellness Advocates like me are empowering people with these natural solutions. We are not doctors (leave that up to the medical and scientific board at doTERRA HQ!) and we’re not prescribing, diagnosing, treating or claiming to cure anything. In essence, we are the doorway to natural and holistic practices that many otherwise might have been kept in the dark about.
Each mom went away with a personalized mini-roller to help with one of the following needs: 
- Mood Management
- Focus
- Respiratory
- Emotional Aromatherapy
- Anxious, Fearful, Worried
- Disinterested, Bored, Discontent
- Rest & Sleep
- Muscle & Joints
There was also a Make & Take option to create specialized roller blends for family needs:
- Immunity
- Seasonal allergies
- Headache & head tension
- Digestive issues
These small and potent compounds are empowering moms everywhere. One cannot underestimate the goodness of God’s creation!
My husband and I chose to use essential oils from a company that we trusted and most closely shared our core values. We are 100% confident that what we purchase are free from adulterations, pesticides, and synthetics.
There is absolutely a difference in essential oils — your local organic store is NOT the best place to get your oils. Simply stating 100% pure on a label is NOT a guarantee.
There are two major factors that play a role in the effectiveness and quality of essential oils: plant potency and oil purity.
If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils, natural health, clean eating, or anything else shared here, you’re invited to contact me or visit me at JOYfilled Wellness.
May we (mothers) take care of our bodies as if we were going to live forever, and take care of our souls as if we were going to die tomorrow as St. Augustine prescribes.
Learn More About Essential Oils
Living an essential oil lifestyle means turning to what God created, first. It allows our bodies to work at their optimim without synthetic, nasty toxins.
