Mariska Richters Digital Dogmom Life

It’s been about 3 weeks since I started the Rise & Vibe mushroom lemonade and it’s quickly become an easy new routine.

The past few years have been tough for me. Between the events of the world, going through loss and grief, and turning to food and alcohol as coping mechanisms, it’s been a challenge mentally and physically.

I lost all confidence, mental strength, motivation, ability to focus, and the brain fog was almost debilitating.

So when I heard about the benefits of the Rise & Vibe combo, I was all in to give it a try – I was ready to try pretty much anything to help pull me out of my slump.

In my first few days, I felt lighter. Happier. More focused. More motivated. More productive. It felt good to FEEL GOOD AGAIN!!

But it’s what happened over the next couple of weeks that really surprised me.

My body is starting to feel more balanced. My gut issues are starting to sort themselves out. I’ve stopped craving coffee, wine and sugar!! (These are HUGE for me!)

And Adam has said to me multiple times. “I finally have my wife back!”?

I’m feeling more and more like me again, with every day!

Sometimes you don’t know how bad you feel, until you start to feel good again.

I’m so grateful for my new Rise & Vibe routine!

I’m a firm believer that when I find something really great that I love, it is my responsibility to share it with others.

My husband, Adam, and I have been taking mushrooms since last fall. Adam had found some research that the Lion’s Mane mushroom was helping people with concussion symptoms. He has had multiple concussions, as a professional mountain bike coach, so he wanted to try it with hopes of finding some relief.

The results from taking a straight lion’s mane supplement were incredible for both Adam and myself!

So when I saw people posting about a mushroom lemonade on social media that contains not only lion’s mane, but also 6 other organic mushrooms, we had to try it!

We have been drinking the lemonade for less than 2 weeks and here is what we have noticed so far:

• Increased ability to focus
• More mental energy and clarity
• Longer attention span
• Increased motivation
• Decreased procrastination
• Better sleep
• Higher productivity
• Brain fog is gone!
• Adam doesn’t need a daily nap anymore to reset his brain!

If you’re like me, your mental energy and mental health have definitely suffered with the events of the last few years. This mushroom lemonade is the first thing that has truly helped me to feel more like myself than anything else I have tried – I’m so grateful to have found it! And even more grateful that is tastes delicious!

If more mental energy, clarity and focus is something you could use more of, CLICK HERE for more info and to order some for yourself. Don’t worry, there is a 30 day empty bottle money back guarantee, if you try it and decide it’s not right for you.

Best wishes and enjoy your mushroom juice!
xo Mariska

LET’S GET INTO IT – What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is marketing online with digital products.

You can market through Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Etsy, Pinterest, YouTube, Emails, and more.

What are Digital Products?

Digital products are downloadable products that can take many forms. Some examples may include:

• Printables
• eBooks
• PDFs
• Stickers
• Planners
• Guides
• Templates
• Journals
• Notebooks
• Graphics
• Stock Photography
• Courses
• Virtual Services
• and MORE!

If you don’t have a digital product ready to sell, you also have the option to purchase ready made digital products that you can resell for 100% profit – just to get you started.

Different routes you can take with Digital Marketing:

• Resell completely DFY (done for you) products with 100% profit – with MRR or PLR
• Create your own digital products to sell for 100% profit. Create it once and sell it again and again.
• Offer personal services like mentoring, profile audits, coaching, one on one calls, etc
• Do a mix of ALL or some of these things.

How can you do this as a complete beginner?
Where did I start?

I completed a comprehensive digital marketing course called THE ROADMAP. The course taught me everything I needed to know about starting, building & profiting from it. It took me about a week to learn enough to get myself set up to start selling so I could earn while I learned.

You can start with the very same course, learn from it, implement what you learn and build your own online profit machine!

You’ll find all the details to The Roadmap HERE, including a few bonuses I’ve included to help give you a leg up on starting your digital business..

FOLLOW @digitaldogmomlife for more digital marketing tips and info for beginners!

Do you know someone who may find this article helpful? Please SHARE it with them!

Fall is in full swing here on Vancouver Island, which means it’s time to pull out the crockpot or the Instant Pot and cook up some delicious comfort foods!

Turkey black bean chili is one of my favorite things to cook up in a big batch, so we can eat it for a few days and have easy meals. After rummaging through my fridge, freezer and pantry, I found everything I need for a good crockpot turkey black bean and chickpea chili.

I made this up as I went along, so my ingredients are approximate (if you’re someone who measures perfectly, you can relax on this one, haha!)

Recipe Details

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time in a crockpot: 8 hours on low
Cooking time in an Instant Pot: pressure cook for 20 minutes on the soup/chili setting

Shopping List / Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground turkey – I used 2 of the ground turkey packages from Costco
• 1 medium onion – chopped
• 3 carrots – chopped
• 3 ribs of celery – chopped
• 1 red pepper – chopped (orange and yellow peppers would be good too)
• 2 cloves of garlic – minced
• 2 cans black beans – drained and rinsed
• 1 can chickpeas – drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes – no sugar added
• 1 can tomato paste
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp chili powder (If your chili is super spicy, you may want to use less)
• 1 tbsp cocoa (my secret ingredient)
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste)
• Fresh cilantro (optional garnish) – chopped
• 1 glob of sour cream (optional) – added to each serving when plating, if desired
• Grated cheddar (optional) – added to each serving when plating, if desired

How to Make Turkey Black Bean Chili

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium/high heat.
2. Add ground turkey. Cook until the meat is browned (4-5 minutes), making sure to crumble the meat as it cooks.
3. Drain excess fat and transfer to slow cooker.
4. Discard the excess fat and add remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil to the skillet.
5. Add vegetables to the skillet and cook until the onions are soft (about 3 minutes). This process helps release the flavours from the veggies before adding them to the slow cooker. Transfer to slow cooker.
6. Add diced tomatoes, black beans, white kidney beans, and tomato paste to slow cooker.
7. Add oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper to slow cooker.
8. Cook in crockpot on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
9. To serve, add a glob of sour cream, some shredded cheddar, and chopped cilantro to each bowl.

NOTE: If cooking in the Instant Pot, use the saute setting to saute the ground meat until browned, then saute all other ingredients together. Once all ingredients have been added, secure the lid, and cook for 20 minutes on high pressure on the chili setting.

Enjoy!

Please comment and share, if you enjoy this recipe!

 

If you suffer from anxiety, it can be crippling on a normal day. Throw in a worldwide pandemic, and that can blow your anxiety through the roof, even for those of us who don’t normally have anxious tendencies.

Today I’m sharing a few tips with you to help you manage anxiety during these uncertain times. I have come up with my list, both from my own research, and also from crowd-sourcing on social media to learn what others do to help them manage their anxiety through this global stress.

Distract Your Anxious Mind

When you feel your anxiety building to a point of becoming overwhelming, try this exercise to distract your mind away from your triggers:

1. List 5 things you can SEE
2. List 4 things you can FEEL
3. List 3 things you can HEAR
4. List 2 things you can SMELL
5. List 1 thing you can TASTE

This exercise is intended to distract your mind from whatever thoughts are creating your anxiety by bringing your thoughts back to the present moment. I encourage you to try this when you feel overwhelmed.

Turn Off the News

The worst thing we can do right now is to constantly watch or listen to the news. Fear multiplies fear. Uncertainty breeds anxiety. Watching the suffering of others is only going to magnify the anxiety you are feeling.

By turning off the TV and not focusing our attention on news outlets and sources, we can minimize our triggers.

Move Your Body

Exercise is my number one way to reduce my own stress and anxiety. Every afternoon I take my dogs out for an hour-long walk in the woods. The combination of movement and nature ground me and bring my mind back to the present moment, back to reality, rather than allowing my thoughts to wander and overwhelm me with things that may or may not be real.

If you have trouble getting yourself off the couch to get moving, I encourage you to read The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. A simplified explanation is that you count down from five and when you get to one, you MOVE!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — GO!

Journaling

Writing down our thoughts and feelings is a great way to get them out of our heads and to process what we are thinking. If you don’t know what to write about, just spend 5-15 minutes just dumping your brain onto paper. I find it most effective when it’s through pen and paper, rather than through a keyboard. There is something about the movement of putting pen to paper that connects my thoughts more clearly.

Once you have written your entry, read it and re-read it to help you think about and process what’s going on in your mind.

Practice Gratitude

Our minds cannot focus on worry and gratitude at the same time. By listing off the things we are grateful for it distracts our minds from the things we are worried and anxious about.

Some ideas are to do a gratitude rant – set your phone’s timer for one minute and rant out loud, “I’m so happy and grateful for ____________! I’m so happy and grateful for __________! I’m so happy and grateful for ___________!” Until your timer goes off.

Keep a gratitude journal, and everyday write down the things you are grateful for. It doesn’t matter if it’s the same things everyday, that’s ok! As you do it more and more, you will notice that your list will begin to expand.

Humour!

If you find yourself bogged down by all the darkness and negativity surrounding the current global pandemic, hop on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video and search for your favorite comedy. Laughing is a huge stress reliever, and we all need to be laughing more!

L-Theanine Supplement

L-theanine is an amino acid that is said to help reduce stress, anxiety and even sleeplessness. When paired with caffeine, it has also shown to improve mental clarity and focus.

L-theanine can be found in green and black tea as well as in some mushrooms, or is also available as a supplement. Personally, I drink a collagen coffee (USA coffee link) that contains L-theanine every morning to help manage stress and boost my mental focus and clarity. And if I feel my anxiety creeping in in the afternoon, I drink a delicious natural energy drink (USA energy drink link) that contains L-theanine to help keep it in check. — If you have questions about either of these products, please do reach out.

I hope these simple strategies to reduce anxiety are helpful for you. If you have your own to add to this list, I would love for you to share them in the comments!

Wishing you a happy and anxiety-free day!

Since the pandemic hit about this time last year, more and more people are not only taking advantage of the Gig Economy, for many the gig economy is the ONLY way they have managed to earn an income to survive. Many jobs have been put on hold or have been straight up eliminated from the economy all-together, and people have had to get creative to find another way to earn an income.

What is the Gig Economy?

Think Uber, Door Dash, AirBnB, Task Rabbit, Lyft, Skip the Dishes, network marketing, etc. — How many of these services have you used before? These are all part of the Gig Economy.

The Gig Economy is an online economy that is allowing regular people, who may or may not have a professional education, to earn an income online from anywhere. They are businesses that anyone can start from home from their smartphone.

Many of these businesses are run through apps, like Uber and AirBnB, and some are product companies who, instead of spending their money on overhead for brick and mortar locations and on marketing, they pay fair commissions to people like myself to share information about their products with others. And when someone chooses to try the products, I get paid.

Why Do People Join the Gig Economy?

Some may do it to earn an extra $100-$500/month, and some may do it to replace their full time income and to make a living online from home or from anywhere with wifi. And then there are all sorts of other reasons in between.

For me personally, I looked for an online option a few years ago because of my severe boss allergy and my desire for independence and control over my own time and income. I wanted control of my schedule, I didn’t want to be told when I could eat my lunch, use the toilet, take time off, go for a walk, or be told how many days of vacation I was allowed to take. I didn’t like spending hours in the car everyday commuting to and from the office. And I REALLY didn’t like leaving my poor Roxidoo (my chocolate lab) home alone for 10-12 hours a day while I spent my days at a job that I no longer felt any passion for.

Projected Growth of the Gig Economy

The Gig Economy has become more popular for a variety of reasons, and, in a lot of cases, it has becoming NECESSARY.

Statistics are predicting that by 2027, 60% of the US workforce will be independent.

And the gross volume of the gig economy will grow to $455 billion by 2023 – that’s only 2 years away, and nearly double what it is now!

Now, I don’t know about you, but I see an opportunity in that, and want a piece of that pie!

My Experience in this Economy

I have done the AirBnB thing and it was amazing! Some months it helped us pay a good chunk of our mortgage payment! But the thing about AirBnB, especially during the pandemic, is that it can be very inconsistent income, depending on the location of your rental property.

For me, the answer came in the form of network marketing, and I’m so grateful that I have found a company that I love and am proud to partner with. They are innovative and forward thinking, not only with their award winning products, but also in their business model.

Having worked with a couple of other companies before this one, I can honestly say that I feel like I have gone from the sandbox to the boardroom with this business, and I’m here to stay.

I wanted to leave my corporate office job for all the reasons I listed above. I did it to own my time and create financial freedom. What I did not expect was that I would connect with a community that is kind, encouraging and uplifting. I have found my home.

Another statistic to throw out there: 85% of women have never been asked to take a look at a business opportunity like this one. That blows my mind!

So, with that in mind, I am committed to helping as many women as possible become financially independent through health and online business.

If you are one of the 85% who have never been asked if you’re open to some information, then let me be the first to invite you to take a look. This industry has completely changed my life, and I know it can change yours too! It’s time to take control of your future.

Let’s chat!

We get ONE LIFE, my friend. If you are not happy with something about your life, it’s time to make a change. No more excuses. 

I have significantly changed my life and happiness over the past few years, since firing my boss and working in online from home. It has literally changed EVERYTHING!! 

If you are in a place where you feel stuck, you are in a rut, if you are in the hamster wheel or Groundhog Day of life, if you are drowning in bills, or if you simply have dreams of a bigger life for yourself, then it’s time we had a chat. 

The World is Changing. 

The gig economy is growing. Statistics are showing that 60% of the workforce will be independent by 2027. And the gross volume of the gig economy will grow to $455 billion by 2023. (That’s only 2 years away!)

We can’t continue to turn a blind eye to what’s right in front of us. Business, the economy and income opportunities are changing fast! 

I don’t know about you, by I want a piece of that pie!! And I’m so grateful to be partnered with a forward thinking company that gets it, and is creating innovative solutions to help normal people, like you and me, thrive! 

Did you know that many health conditions stem from our gut health?

It kinda makes sense, if you think about it. Our gut is where the nutrients from our food is digested and absorbed. And depending on what we are putting into our body, our gut health reflects that. 

Research in the past two decades has shown links between gut health and the immune system, mental health, mood, autoimmune issues, skin conditions, endocrine disorders, and even cancer.

Our “gut microbiome” consists of about 300 to 500 different kinds of bacteria the our digestive tract. Some are very beneficial, and some can be harmful to our health. Having a wide variety of the good bacteria in our gut can enhance our immune system, improve symptoms of depression, help against obesity, and many other benefits.

What we eat has a dramatic impact on our gut microbiome. So if we eat a lot of processed foods, high sugar foods, take a lot of antibiotics, this can negatively affect our gut health, and in turn our overall health.

So what are some symptoms of an unhealthy gut to indicate that it might be time for a change?

Symptoms of an Poor Gut Health

1. Stomach issues like gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea
2. Sugar cravings – If you’re eating a lot of process foods and sugars, this can decrease the good bacteria in your gut, which can cause cravings. High amounts of refined sugars (particularly high fructose corn syrup) has been linked to increased inflammation, which has been linked to several diseases and even cancer. 
3. Unintentionally gaining or losing weight without changes to your diet or exercise habits can be a sign of an unhealthy gut.
4. Insomnia and poor sleep leading to chronic fatigue can be a symptom of poor gut health. Most of the body’s serotonin (a hormone that affects mood and sleep) is produced in the gut.
5. Skin irritations like eczema may be related to a leaky gut. Inflammation in the gut caused by a poor diet or food allergies may cause increased leaking of certain proteins from the gut into the body, which can irritate the skin and cause skin conditions.
6. More and more research is linking the impact of gut health on the immune system. An unhealthy gut can cause inflammation which can lead to autoimmune diseases where the body attacks itself.
7. Food intolerances (not to be confused with food allergies) are the result of difficulty digesting certain foods. The theory is that food intolerances may be caused by poor quality gut bacteria, which can lead to difficulty digesting the trigger foods and unpleasant symptoms like gas, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. 

Are you experiencing one or more of these symptoms? If so, it may be time to make some changes to your health habits to bring your gut back to a healthy place.

How I’ve Balanced My Gut Health

I have found an all-in-one pre/pro/postbiotic that has really helped me get more balance in my gut health. It has reduced my bloat and stomach issues, improved my sleep, and my husband says my mood has also improved! Hah! You’ll find more information about this Trebiotic HERE for CANADA, and HERE for the USA.

I take this Modere Trebiotic every night before I go to sleep, and I noticed a difference in my overall well-being within a few days. The little beads have no flavor, you can take them any time of day, and you can mix them in with a smoothie or just swallow them with water.

But the best part? The links above will get you a $10 discount on your first order, and it also has a 30 day empty bottle guarantee, so it’s like a full sized sample to see if you like it! And if you don’t, just return it!

THe Trebiotic has really helped me, and now I never go a day without it. My overall health and wellbeing is totally worth it!

Did you know that our immune health starts in our gut? I makes sense, if you think about it, since the gut is where everything we eat gets absorbed. So if we have an unhealthy gut, we may also have a weak immune system.

With this in mind, I wanted to provide some tips to help you IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE HEALTH BY HEALING YOUR GUT, that you can start doing today to reduce and reverse illness.

1. Take a Probiotic 

Probiotics can assist in rebalancing your microbiome.

I have finally found one that I love and I can actually feel the difference since I started taking it. It comes in a powder pixie stick form. Just open it, pour it into your mouth and it melts away. It’s a yummy sweet cucumber flavor. Click HERE for more info.

2. Eat Fermented and Cultured Foods.

Foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and fresh pickles. Not only do these foods contain probiotics, but they are also full of digestive enzymes, which can compensate for your stomach, liver, or gallbladder.

3. Eat Sprouted Vegetables.

Sprouted veggies contain dramatically increased amounts of enzymes compared to their unsprouted counterparts.

4. Eat radishes, artichokes, dandelion, and chicory.

These foods and other bitter greens stimulate the liver to create bile.

5. Try a Demulcent.

Demulcents soothe irritated or inflamed tissues and include foods like almonds, barley, coconut oil, figs, parsley, prunes, and sage.

6. Avoid Alcohol and Coffee.

These substances can adversely affect your microbiome — the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.

7. Try Ghee.

Ghee (clarified butter) has been used in India for thousands of years to treat digestive problems. It can reduce inflammation and is high in gut-healing butyrate.

8. Eat More Fiber.

Fiber helps regulate your digestive tract and also acts as food for your good bacteria.

I hope these immune health tips are helpful for you. Personally my best and favorite tip is to add a probiotic to your daily supplement routine.

Stay safe out there, friends – Keep that gut and immune system in good health!

(Source: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/arthritis-and-your-immune-system)

Me and my sweet tooth LOVE pancakes! But gluten is a problem for me, so I found this flourless banana pancake recipe and I’m OBSESSED!

They are super easy to make with only 3 ingredients, and they have a serving of protein, carbs and fruit to help you get your day started right!

Recipe Details: Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 5-8 minutes

Shopping List:

• 1½ large bananas, ripe to overripe (200g; 7 oz)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Maple syrup, butter, or fruit of choice, to serve

Directions to make your gluten free protein pancakes:

1. In a mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add in baking powder. Whisk or beat with a fork to combine.
2. In another bowl add in 1½ large bananas. Lightly mash with a fork or potato masher, but not too much. There should be chunks of bananas to make fluffy pancakes. And use only ripe bananas.
   
   

   

3. Pour egg mixture into mashed bananas and stir to combine.
4. Heat a frying pan to medium high heat and add a bit of butter or oil so the pancakes won’t stick.
5. 2 tablespoons of batter is enough for each mini pancake.
6. When the baking powder is activated, flip it over and cook for about one minute more.
7. Serve immediately, when hot, and add maple syrup and your fruit of choice for added deliciousness!
8. ENJOY!