Your Life As Art Photography by Pam
Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija
What a gorgeous Spring day! We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better day. In between painting walls and trim, I had the opportunity to get some shooting in with my macro! I love shooting wide open and the effect I can get when shooting from a slight distance. Had fun ;)
Hope you are having a fabulous day!!!
Diffuser blend for the day – Peppermint, Wild Orange and Frankincense!
With this beautiful Spring weather I know I am not the only one who has been eager to get started on all our Spring projects.
The difference between this year and last… I am FEELING Eager AND have the ENERGY to do it!
Which for me is huge. As a woman, for my own health and as a wife and mother to enjoy our family and home as well as within my job at work. Of course for me as a photographer, photography has always been my passion, my outlet, my escape from the world when I needed a break, but when the energy and creativity isn’t flowing the camera shutter isn’t clicking.
In this past week Ive had a handful of people specifically ask what oils I am wearing – which can sometimes change day to day. One woman, a complete stranger in a restaurant who was our waitress, asked me if I had just come from a health food store – specifically the one in Hanover. I smiled to myself knowing exactly why she was asking and explained that it would be my essential oils she was smelling. We got into a wonderful conversation about natural health and the benefits.
Many of you who do know me, knows that I am not the type of person who enjoys public speaking of any kind – I still do not – but where I am feeling more comfortable is the knowledge and true interest in what I talk about. Knowledge however is power, I have found that in my job, my passion of photography, being a mom and related to being a mom with the use of Essential Oils in our home.
This past year has been life changing for me in many ways the biggest is I not only feel healthier, I feel more like ME! FINALLY! Taking the leap into the use of natural health is truly that, a leap. You either jump in with both feet or you miss out on the true benefits! I am so thankful we jumped in. Of course my children did not essentially get a choice in the matter, but they have since day one have had a very keen interest and share in my excitement when the monthly order arrives. There are some they do not enjoy the smell of but are curious to know what they do or what they can help with. Although the kids didn’t have a choice of being introduced to the oils, they have never once turned them down. Now if they have any pain or discomfort they ask for the oils.
This is huge because my son has never been one to take any type of pain relieving medication – to the point where he would spit it out or hide the chewables claiming he did take them. I finally stopped trying to force any type of medication on him if he came down with a fever or complained of a headache. He found his own coping mechanism that didn’t involve medicine… he helped teach me to stop reaching for that bottle of Advil whenever I had a headache or for the pain that some day’s would put me to my knees. He taught me this after I was introduced to the wonderful world of Essential Oils.
So for those of you who have asked how do we use the oils… the oils are our first option if any of us are feeling any pain or discomfort. Some of the most used oils in our home are Blends (click blends to view the page) such as the Calming Blend, Digestive Blend (amazing), Focus Blend, Grounding Blend, Invigorating Blend, Joyful Blend, Metabolic Blend (daily in my water), Protective Blend, Respiratory Blend, Soothing Blend, Tension Blend as well as the individual oils such as Lavender, Melaleuca, Cypress, Frankincense, Lemon, Oregano, Peppermint, Vetiver, Wild Orange, Ylang Ylang. We use the oils topically, internally and aromatically with our diffusers. I am very sensitive to some smells so With our diffusers we can not only freshen the air naturally (purifying it as well) we can add scent without the harmful wax or chemicals from candles or air “fresheners”. With the brand of oils we use, many of the oils are safe for internal use – this is shown by displaying the Supplement Facts on the bottle. If the oil is not meant for ingestion – which are those oils which come from things we would not eat, for example trees, the supplement facts will not be listed.
There are so So SO many uses for all the oils for your own well being as well as flavouring with cooking – lemon is simply amazing in dips or marinades, sauces etc! Lemon as well as the Metabolic Blend are my personal favourites for water flavouring. I personally love water, however these two just help give me that extra boost which also benefits my body in more ways than just giving me that boost. Lavender is a favourite of ours for bedtime, its like a natural sleeping pill. I have never slept better!
For those of you who know me or have read past posts knows that I am living with PCOS, Hypothyroidism and Endometriosis. As a working mom to say this is tough is an understatement. To simply say just go exercise, eat healthy or just do this or that… its simply not that easy. Everyone is different and is affected differently. I have tried many things, wasted so much money on these fads and joined the gym and worked my ass off, all of which have all got me to the same frustrating place – nowhere!
When we took this leap I jumped in with both feet, it was all or nothing. I found that for someone who used to reach for pain medication on a regular basis for pain relief, my body did take time to adjust from the relief of synthetic pain medications to finding relief naturally with Essential OIls. Its now been well over 5 months (or more) since Ive taken any synthetic pain medication and I feel soooo good! Both the kids and I have also begun taking nutritional supplements, I began on half the dose and worked my way up to the full dose and quite honestly have never felt better! What I have ultimately learned is your body can only be as healthy as what you are putting into it. Being in pain or uncomfortable and reaching for synthetic meds was only making me reach for those even more. It can be a vicious cycle – which only you can break! I am so thankful for my journey to this point and am excited for what is to come – enjoying more time with my family, friends and the additional energy into my creative flow of photography!
So for those of you who are interested in learning more (Ive already signed up!) there is a FREE Online Healthy Oils Summit healthyoilsummit.com/. This event is the first ever online brand-generic summit that will be bringing together professionals from all areas! I encourage you to check it out and join me in learning more about living healthy naturally!
Your life as art, Pam
The winter is always a time when I seem to take a break from photography with the exception of capturing my kids in their winter sports. That is until March rolls around and we get to celebrate our daughters birthday! This is always a time during the year when the sun is shining a little bit more and the snow is slowly beginning to melt.
We spent a fabulous day celebrating our little lady with her friends and our family.
I adore my macro lens and flowers – bring on spring!!!
The other day I was given a compliment that I was very happy to hear and also meant a great deal to me.
This compliment also made me think, about my life and our recent lifestyle changes. What it came down to is I feel better, I feel healthier and I’ve rid my body of toxins since beginning to use Essential Oils in my (and our) daily life. A lifestyle change where anytime I had pain or aches I reached for the typical over the counter pain relief, now the frequency is much less and Ive been able to manage with my essential oils – yes even the dreaded wine headache ;).
This past year, the world of essential oils has rocked back into existence and into the homes of many of us who not that long ago were skeptical of this “voodo medicine”. I too was previously very skeptical and now embrace these oils and their amazing capabilities.
The history of the oils date back to ancient times and yet many products we use today contain (small amounts of or synthetic) essential oils.
I’ve been asked a lot lately how we use oils within our home and life. I will admit at first it can feel completely overwhelming! I was there… but it’s honestly not! Does it involve a commitment to a lifestyle change – once you embrace that, you will honestly fall into your new lifestyle quite comfortably.
Consistency is extremely important when it comes to using essential oils, especially to assist with specific. Another thing to remember is that you build your oil collection over time – you do not need or have to, jump in with all of them – unless you absolutely want to ;)
This is my oil collection that I built in 1 year! Many of these oils have been replaced quite a few times due to how often we use them. BUT I am thrilled to say (as I knock on some wood) that our family has had the healthiest year ever this past year! Even with loved ones sick all around us we had very minor coughs or scratchy throats and never once had to take anything synthetic to assist with our well being!
In the late winter my kids and I began taking daily supplements and my metabolism and overall well being received a fantastic boost! There are a lot of supplements on the market, I’ve tried many! When I read about and heard about the research behind the supplements we take, I gave it a shot… 4 months later I will not be giving them up probably ever!
So how do we use oils in our life…
Morning Supplements – They include oils in both my and the kids supplements.
Everyday we use a variety of oils with our kids which help them in their day to day. I also have a small collection that I keep in my office at work which I use throughout the day.
Some of my fav’s at work at my metabolic blend and lemon for my water. I use the Grounding Blend, Invigorating Blend or Protective Blend for my diffuser.
We were so very lucky to attend my dear friend (and cousin)’s wedding in Cuba a few weeks ago. We had a blast – the people, food, resort, weather – all fabulous! Not to forget that it was hubby and I’s first time “away” in 11 years… well deserved and we enjoyed every minute!
I was honored to have been asked by Shan to photograph their wedding – thank you to both Dylan and Shanna for the opportunity and for choosing to get married in Cayo Coco!
The resort we stayed at was Melia Cayo Coco – not only a beautiful resort, but wonderful people, great food (we had heard the food in Cuba isn’t great at all), spacious and clean rooms, great options for restaurants to eat at with a great variety of times a very fun disco night club and great souvenir options for our little’s!
We had an amazing week, a trip that was very over due for us to take a break from being daddy and mommy to enjoy the week as husband and wife. I wont lie, it was fabulous being responsibility free… Of course as most parents do, by mid trip we were missing those little’s like crazy! Thankfully they were in good hands and also having a great “vacation” themselves!
We highly recommend the resort if you are looking for a vacation destination in Cuba!
Many years of wedded bliss to the two of you XOXO!
The kids and I were ready well before the bus was to arrive, the snow had lightly frosted the tree tips and the sky was a warm orange. After feeling in a bit of a photography rut (which just so happened to be after we returned from Cuba – a post of these photos to come) I began to feel a small rush of inspiration to capture this winter warmth!
My littles. They are growing way-too-fast!
I woke up to a bright sun shining winter morning with snow beautifully fallen on the trees. A perfect morning for a photography drive, and this is when I realized just how cold it was outside!
I always love looking back on my photos, what better time than welcoming a new year!
Here are some of my favourite landscape and nature photos with the odd shot of my kids.
As we welcome the new year I welcome a new chapter to my photography journey.
I love lifestyle photography, the vibrant colours, new life and growth all around.
My challenge is winter and gloomy days… which last year dragged on for what seemed like forEVER!
From myself and my family, wishing you all the very best in the new year! Much health and happiness.
January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
I didn’t have many – or any landscape or nature shots this month. Typically by this time I am just itching to get back outside, especially with the winter we had! March brought our little lady’s birthday so I took some special “lifestyle” shots of her!
April 2014
The great Spring melt – after all the snow we had we were left with a lot of water. This is the wet lands behind our house completely flooded!
Looking from the middle of our yard towards the wet lands, so very thankful for the trees at the back of our property (to the right in the photos) behind those trees at our property line was completely saturated and flooded!
The Spring melt – so very happy to see the snow leaving from our back yard!
Trying my hand at birding, we are still getting used to each other!
May 2014
June 2014
July 2014
August 2014
September 2014
October 2014
November 2014
December 2014
I second guessed myself when I began this blog post title.
Why? All too often I do feel so very blessed, to only be given a swift kick of reality. It happens. Life happens.
Truth is I began this post Christmas Day Night, feeling so very full of love and thankfulness. Thinking of this Christmas season and the how this year is beginning to wrap up. But then I held off, why? Two things – I wanted to share photos with my post and as I mentioned anytime I begin to feel so very blessed, life steps up and reminds not to get too comfy!
Over the past couple weeks my family and I have enjoyed many fabulous moments with our family. This Christmas I think I can honestly say was one of the best Christmas in years. Its hard missing our loved ones who cannot be with us during the holidays, however this is also what drives me more in my passion…
My passion to capture our life as art – To capture life and everyone in it.
Over the many several years one family member in particular has always made a comment to me when I had my camera out about wanting to see all of my photograph’s. This person truly inspired me to share my ‘art’ on my blog, especially as the years go by, family members are getting wiser and all of these moments will one day simply become a memory. I love to be able to share with our family and friends something I am so very passionate about.
Over the Christmas holidays we enjoyed a few scents in our diffusers – one especially was Holiday Joy – what a wonderful way to instantly add a fresh energizing, yet relaxing Christmas scent to our home! Thank you doTERRA for this wonderful Holiday Blend – our family just loves it! If you are new to oils – think of wax candles or “bars” which provide you with scent – but much healthier and multipurpose scent and overall well being. A newest passion of mine that I am so happy to have in my life!
Its tradition to spend Christmas Eve with my hubby’s side, this Christmas Eve was spent with my father-in-law and his lady friend. The morning of Christmas Eve little man was running down the daily plan of who was doing what and when, but most of all he was looking forward to was hanging out as a family! We had a fabulous afternoon and evening with them filled with many wonderful memories, a great visit, so many laughs and a lot of fun!
Its tradition we get the kids a new movie and jammies on Christmas Eve – they were SO excited for the entire Madagascar set ;)
Above my hubby is building the latest Barbie RV which came with pages of stickers which had to be placed accordingly – the girl was quite happy with it!
Kudos to my father in law for helping the boy with his new lego – its not like the “old” days where we just had blocks… these kits come with step by step directions and if you miss one step… you have to go back and fix it – even if that means back 3 or 4 steps ;)
This is one of my fav from this year. The kids checking out the ornaments on the tree. I love an image like this converted to B&W for a timeless feel.
The fur boy knew he was not to get too close to the tree haha so this is as close as he would get. I personally am not a fan of flash photography – however there are times it is certainly needed and this was one!
I personally love our annual Christmas tree photos to see how the kids gifts evolve as they get older. This year Santa was very conservative and quite honestly there were a couple things they didn’t really “notice” until later that would have probably been ok if they hadn’t gotten.
One thing for sure we have noticed while raising these little people that is that they really do not need a lot of “things” for them to be happy – they thrive on personal relationships and time spent with family and friends. Don’t get me wrong the excitement of unwrapping gifts is unbelievably fun for them – but its also the same kind of fun when its things they need as well. In the next few weeks we will do another declutter from the house and round up things we can donate and pass on to those who can put better use to things our kids have grown out of. This is a very good feeling.
This Christmas we set up my tripod with the remote on my camera. What a truly fabulous idea I saw on another blog. I was able to be IN every photo and able to capture all the fun and memories of Christmas morning… yes in all our early morning glory ;)! Our dog loved his gift from Santa !
The Christmas hubby and I both were very specific not to spend very much on each other and we both bought each other the same thing ;)
Our traditional Christmas morning breakfast/brunch/lunch – of course always depends on what time we all arrive at the hosting home – with the McLellan side. One thing our kids love and look forward too – when our little lady was running through the plan for Christmas Day it was opening gifts as a family and then having breakfast with everyone as a big family, melted my heart. Its these moments they will remember and treasure when they grow and have their own families.
What warms my heart most is watching the littles and loved ones opening their gifts! I was quite happy waiting for mine.
I obviously didn’t take this – so credit to Joel lol ;)
Uncle Steve and his family were unable to join us for Christmas this year – so what’s better… face time!
The biggie cousins XO
Love this especially of the girls!
The boy always entertaining the girls as they watch his remote control truck drive away LOL!
Our boy even got a lesson over the holidays of playing poker and believe it or not he and his Uncle Justin were the last ones left… ;) Quick learner or very lucky!
I truly feel lucky for everyone we have in our life, for the moments and memories we all share together. For my children, my husband and I being so very blessed for those we we spent celebrating Christmas with, what we were given this year and yet so very thankful for the practicality and usefulness of all we received. There wasn’t a crazy abundance of gifts, which was perfect! Everything had thought behind it. Far too often Christmas is so commercialized that the true meaning, the true reason for the season, is forgotten. I love seeing my kids get excited for an awesome toy – but also just as excited for new clothes.
Most of all I treasure these moments, I cannot say enough how blessed I feel to have had so many “real” moments captured with great family in our lives.
This Christmas season we have so much to be thankful for and the number one on our list is all of our family and dear friends in our lives.
As many of you know, I have recently began sharing about my newest passion… doTERRA Essential Oils.
Ironically enough this truly felt like a natural addition to our life at home and in my office. I grew up within our Plumbing and Heating business where we pride ourselves on being “The Home Comfort People!”, the addition of essential oils has become a daily part of my family’s life whether it is pain management, relaxation, comfort, stimulation, focus, alertness and cleaning.
As I was growing up I had a love for art and attended classes with our local art instructor Dot Cork. Over the years my enjoyment of art grew into photography and once I had my first child blew into a true passion!
In my years of being a mother, my passion has only grown and I truly love and appreciate the beauty of photography including all things frustrating which ultimately led to growth. After being diagnosed with PCOS and Hypothyroidism our children were truly our little miracles, the ultimate blessings. There were many stressful days whether it be at work, at home or both. Photography was my own little escape and always has been! Raising two very spirited children is very challenging, yet very satisfying and rewarding.
Why do I believe in doTERRA Essential Oils?
When I see true results – I am a believer.
I know there is no product that is “magic”, there is no get skinny or rich fast. There is however a healthy combination of real life and real products.
As we all know, there are chemicals in EVERYTHING. Even things you think wouldn’t have harmful chemicals like soap – to clean – full of chemicals. Cleaners for our home, since switching over to Essential Oils I am even more sensitive to the chemical strength in many household cleaners.
Having energy and motivation not only at home but at work. I can now come home from work and actually get stuff done! On the weekends I can actually accomplish things throughout the day. This is huge for me. Massive actually.
For the past couple months I’ve been using doTERRA’s Slim and Sassy – NOT to get “slim” but for the metabolic benefits… and it works! I’ve tried vitamins, exercise, wraps etc and I’ve never ever had results like this – and I’m not talking about a scale or measuring tape! We also diffuse oils daily in our home with each their own individual benefits.
For those who have PCOS or Hypothyroidism (or both like I do) I know you “get” what I mean when I say I was tired ALL the time, no matter what.
My next personal fav… Elevation. There are many oils which everyone will either love, or hate. I personally love it! Much like Slim and Sassy, I find my body craving it. Balance is another great one with a variety of reasons and benefits why to use it. Vetiver Is another one which isn’t very pleasant smelling straight from the bottle, to some, but I love it. It’s very grounding and relaxing.
During the back to school and fall/winter season OnGuard was in our diffuser quite regularly – at home and work. I actually had a co-worker ask me why I hadn’t gotten the bug that was going around and yet almost everyone else had. Every other year – or with my immune system every other month I was typically sick. Since June the most our family has had is a cold and this was after a month or two of using the oils… so we were still relatively new to how the oils could help and what they could actually do. Hubby had the aches and chills pretty bad and then the next day the bugs began their take over of me, that night we put the diffuser on with OnGuard and took a couple drops of Oregano in a shot glass of water. It worked – amazingly well!
We began using the oils topically on the kids each night at bedtime and also in the morning. Once we got then diffusers they now diffuse their bedtime blends which is extremely effective. Of course there are the odd nights their ‘blends’ do not work their magic to get them to sleep – but it’s rare, very rare actually! Great excitement for something (Christmas morning) can do this. Christmas Eve our boy actually came up and asked for the oils to be put on him as well because he was having a hard time falling asleep – the kid is like his mama, crazy excitement and not able to sleep ;) Massaging the oils on his feet and back and he was finally out like a light, both of them until 730am!
We have begun cleaning with a simple mixture of water with Lemon and Purify or On Guard. The lemon and purify also make an excellent fabric refresher as well – much like the commercial brands but with a real scent and natural ingredients vs the chemicals. My next step is going to be using Castile Soap to make our own foam soaps, cleaning soaps, laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent! Of course all with the use of the doTERRA essential oils as well.
The other night I made a batch of bath salts for Christmas gifts – so simple, so natural and so effective for our bodies as well! These salts are another amazing tool to help our children naturally relax and fall into a deep slumber!
Of course the oils are not just amazing on their own – there must be a balanced life and diet to go along with them. Although the oils are greatly helping our family in a variety of ways, we also must ensure we eat a balanced diet, including eating three meals a day, watching our sugar and salt intake – personally I prefer a very low intake of both, ensuring we are drinking lots of fluids and eating whole grains (nothing white). Sleep is also a very important factor – when anyone lacks sleep their body does not perform or repair as it should. Sleep is extremely important, especially for kids – but really for all of us. Sleep is one thing I love but can have difficulty with. As much as I try to keep myself on a regular sleeping schedule its not always easy – however one thing that has been helping me is having my diffuser on with either Serenity or Lavender along with Balance or Vevitar is almost like a sleeping pill for me – its such an amazing feeling (and again all natural).
Since beginning this journey back in June I feel like a part of me has evolved, a part that was always searching for an answer that until now I was unable to find. I have never been this InTune with my body, ever before. I am now able to naturally treat my family for any ailments we have and the best part is my hubby is now 100% fully on board for his own health reasons having reaped the benefits the oils provide.
During my own personal health journey I have come to realize that although we are so very grateful for the health care system we have in Canada, we still must be our own wellness advocates for our own health and well being, especially our for our children. I appreciate our health care system and would never take it for granted – I do quite honestly feel like a better mother being able to offer my children, my family natural alternatives to the great variety and long list of medications – some which are truly not needed or necessary! Having a child who takes after his father and has never been one to ask for medicine when sick, even refusing to take Tylenol during a fever, my son will now actually ask me “mommy do you have an oil for this”.
During my own health journey I learned that because I had been on a certain medication for years, this actually masked my illnesses. It wasn’t until I went off this medication I was faced with a very harsh reality at only 23 years old and being told I had to go see a reproductive encronologist for infertility treatments 2.5 hrs from my home. It was at this time I began taking control, found a doctor only 10 minutes from me and then was diagnosed with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. There most definitely is a time where modern medicine is required, without a doubt, however as I learned it can also cause more bad than good. During my journey I tried many things to “manage” my PCOS and found it extremely difficult to be successful.
I will be completely honest, before taking this step back in June I had heard about oils and was skeptical. The one I heard of most was Oil of Oregano, I had even went into the drug store looking for this oil at one point when our family was sick. Boy am I ever glad I didn’t take this step too soon. For I have learned that many oils sold are not 100% pure – which means they have additives to help create a lesser priced product but also means it’s no longer all natural and for some, not safe to ingest.
The best advice I was given when I began my oils journey was consistency is key – being consistent, patient and having an open mind has changed the way our family looks at our own health. Rather than run to the medicine cabinet for pills, drugs or creams our first go-to is our oils cabinet and when in question our Modern Essentials book.
If you would like more information please contact me I would love to discuss or provide you with more information.
If you are interested in any upcoming Seminars please let me know and I will forward you the information. There are a few coming up in January being offered right here in town!
If you are interested in purchasing and would like assistance let me know I would be happy to help! There are a couple ways to save either as a Wellness Advocate saving 25% off every order! You get the best bang for your buck when you purchase an enrollment kit which includes the Wellness Advocate enrollment fee! Especially for the new Home Essentials which includes the Petal Diffuser – my personal fave!!!
