Maximiliane Smith

Creating a healthy and purpose-driven life.

Please Don’t Give My Brother THIS Advice

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Living with someone who has special needs, you tend to focus on establishing certain skills. You try to grow a foundation of skills that hopefully can be used at some point in the future to gain independence.

However something that has recently gotten in the way of that for my family is when others offer their life advice to my brother, completely contradicting whatever we’re trying to teach him. They always mean well, and it’s never advice that’s terrible. It’s simply not advice that is particularly helpful or relevant to my brother or any other special needs child.

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15 Resolutions for Better Skin in 2018

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One thing I think that many of us think about is the appearance and health of our skin. I know I do! I’ve already discussed my acne-prone and super sensitive skin in a previous blog post, but regardless of having a better grip on my skin, there are several habits I want to incorporate into my life this year that’ll make a big difference with my skin health!

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What’s in My Purse: Winter Edition

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I tell you, my purse can become a super scary place at times. After a few months so much stuff piles up in there, that it becomes exercise lugging it around. So at some point I do have to empty it, sort out through all of the junk, and put only the bare necessities back in; of course until the whole process has to be repeated! (Usually this point in time happens when I’m lugging grocery bags, my purse, and something else and realize it’s not happening.) Regardless of how much I take out though, there are certain things that always stay in there, besides the usual staples (phone, house keys, and wallet).

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DIY Peppermint Sugar Scrub

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Hello again!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying this time right before New Years! I know I had a wonderful and simple Christmas with lots of relaxation, spending time with family and cooking of course. Now that at least Christmas is over, I’m definitely still loving all of the winter seasonal scents, and peppermint is my fave for the winter! So because of that and because my focus for 2018 is self-care, I wanted to share a VERY quick and easy DIY Peppermint Sugar Scrub recipe I guess, that’s perfect for the winter time.

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My Holiday Must-Haves

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I love the holiday season. Is there anything better than listening to Christmas music on repeat, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa, or snuggling with a partner/friends/family while watching overly-cheesy Christmas movies? I can’t think of anything! What of course helps is that people seem to be in overall better spirits!

For me the holiday season also is about creating a cozy environment at home. It just wouldn’t be the same if the home weren’t decorated for the season, or if one is freezing at. all. times. inside the house! It’s the perfect season for oversized chunky knit sweaters, woven blankets, and hats galore.

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How to Choose a Good Supplement

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Hi everyone!

Today I wanted to discuss a hot topic that I get a bunch of questions on in my consultations and business meetings – how to choose a good supplement. How do you know that what you’re taking will work (even when you don’t feel any different), and that it’s what it claims it is? And most importantly, how do you know it’s safe?

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11 Life Lessons I’ve Learned From My Brother

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My brother is 17 years old, and he is my best friend. While I moan and gripe about how difficult and annoying he is, I don’t know what or who I’d be without him. Over the years I’ve learned so much from him, it’s incredible!

I spend a whole bunch of time with my family, more than most young adults, but that has its own set of reasons. One of them being that I help homeschooling my brother, which let me tell you tests my patience on a daily basis.

In addition to being all of the amazing things he is, my brother is developmentally delayed, has ADD (or ADHD, or both), is somewhere on the Spectrum and has learning disabilities. Life has not been kind or gentle to him, and it certainly hasn’t been easy. Even though he faces a gazillion challenges, that most of us have the luxury of not understanding, he still wakes up with a big smile (on most days) and lives each day fully.

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Happy Labor Day + September Goals

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Happy Labor Day to everyone! Since it’s still the beginning of September and I don’t have any work or school stuff that has to be done, I thought I could spend the day setting my intentions for this month. Overall goal: To make September the best September yet! Okay, more realistic version of that goal: Re-focus on what gives me joy, and do things that scare me. Cozy meets growth is what I’m aiming for this fall.

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Monthly Goals: July

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Recently I’ve been feeling stuck in a rut, and once I get into a rut, it’s extremely hard for me to get out of one. This isn’t necessarily a rut where nothing is going right, but it’s more of an emotional rut. I’d often feel lethargic waking up, and generally unmotivated. So, while being completely uninspired and unmotivated I skyped with my ever-optimistic and beautiful friend from Germany. She is the one I always go to, when I have some sort of drama going on, just need to vent, or need someone to problem-solve with. She’s the absolute best listener, wise beyond her years, and gives the BEST advice!

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A Day At the Lavender Farm & Trendy Ice Cream

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For a while my family wanted to go on a day trip to a local lavender farm, but we just had trouble finding the right day for a day off and relaxation. Finally, we found the time and drove to the Seven Oaks Lavender Farm for the very first time yesterday!

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