Whoever dreams of being a Naturopath when they grow up?  Not me…I'd never even heard of one!  But I have the best job ever, and I want to take a moment and share with you a glimpse inside my typical day. 

My office is in my hand-built log home, built by me and my husband twelve years ago.  It is set back off the road, so clients feel like they come to a quiet oasis in the country when they come to Pure Vitality.  Goats and chickens are grazing in our pasture near the house, adding to the back-to-nature feel.  The occasional rooster crow adds to the ambiance. 

When the Rooster Crows…

In the mornings, I wake up excited about the chance I  have to make a tangible difference in someone's life.  The first thing I do after I come downstairs is drink a tall glass of filtered water and take some high quality probiotics.  I make my husband a smoothie every morning with Shakeology, berries, and almond milk.  Because my daughter goes to school early, I prepare her breakfast: banana slices with almond butter, which only takes a minute to put together.  There is no way she is eating lunch from the cafeteria, so I pack her lunch to take to school: whole grain, gluten-free bread with natural meat, fresh fruit, and a Larabar for snack. 

Once everyone else is taken care of, it's time to get ready for the day.  I eat a healthy and hearty breakfast, which is usually some protein and vegetables.  It might be eggs with sauteed

vegetables or even a salad with lettuce, avocado, onion, eggs, herbs, and a viniagrette dressing.  I always make sure to eat some protein in the mornings instead of carbohydrates, because it gives me more energy and much more mental clarity. 

After I get dressed, check my email and Facebook, Marie comes to work, and we start our day with prayer.  It's such an honor to lift up the clients we will see that day in prayer and ask for guidance in everything that we do. 

My work load varies each day, but I usually see a few clients for appointments for various health concerns.  Some are new, others are continuing on their health journey.  I also set aside some time during the day for research, writing blog posts, or creating new classes.  The amount of things I have to juggle most days can be quite challenging.  But being the challenge-driven person that I am, I actually thrive on it.  What could be more challenging than solving health problems!

A smoothie for lunch keep me energized and on task.  And it is easy to prepare and drink between appointments. 

Because I work at home, I am able to go into the kitchen and prep food, laundry, etc..which keeps me able to manage the house and work.  And breaks are very important too- going outside for a bit of sunshine and fresh air, even if only for 20 minutes helps me relax and recharge.

Here I am shooting a new video series in my kitchen.  I love the fun, more creative projects!

I pick up my daughter from school in the afternoon and may see a client when I get back home. 

I've learned to set boundaries so I have a healthy balance of work and family time.  I intentionally stop at 5:30 or 6 pm each night to spend time with my family and focus on dinner.  Because I love what I do so much, I could easily work myself into a frazzle, so I have had to set limits. 

At around 6:30 pm, I start preparing dinner, which only takes about 30 minutes each night.  I take a few supplements with dinner: evening primrose oil, calcium citrate and Vitamin D.  I put work aside for the next few hours and relax with my family.  An hour or two after dinner is when I like to exercise: a brisk walk outside, rebounding, or Zumba are my favorite ways to work out. 

Thirty minutes before bed, I take these supplements:

• Natural Calm (for magnesium)
• PhosChol (liver support)
• Theanine
• Acetyl-Glutathione (an excellent anti-oxidant/detoxification support)

I spend the time before bed reading rather than watching television or using the computer.  In fact, there are things I've done to make my bedroom a healthy environment- no electronics, cell phones, or wifi that might make sleep difficult, organic cotton sheets, and curtains that make the room very dark- all of these things make it easier to have a good night's sleep.  Going to bed by 10 pm is what I aim for most nights.  Good, restful sleep is valuable and I make sure to get enough of it. 

I am so thankful that my job is less like work and more like fun, that it impacts people's lives, and that it ignites that passion inside me to help others discover the health they were born to have. 

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Becky Mauldin, N.D. is a Naturopath, teacher, speaker, and author.  She has authored two gluten-free cookbooks, Vibrant Health and Recipes for Life. Her story of recovery from an incurable illness has inspired many people around the world. She is known for making a healthy diet achievable for real people and real life.

Connect with her on Facebook and let her know what you think of this post. 

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