Andrea Thomas is a stay at home mother of four children, ranging from ages 4-13 years of age. Being a health conscious mother, she is alway finding ways to keep her children healthy by paying attention to what they eat and the products they use.
Andrea’s four beautiful children.
In the past, whenever her family went out shopping, she noticed her children gravitated toward body care products missing kid friendly fragrances and quality ingredients. “I found myself picking through what the kids were drawn to in hopes to find at least one product I could feel good about”, says Andrea. “I could not find any.”
This caused Andrea to do some research seeking out companies who use natural ingredients with children in mind. She found there were none. Andrea knew she wanted to do something about it, so her and her husband started aggressively researching the subject.
Her first project from her research was bath bombs. “My kids love bath bombs so I made fun shapes like game controllers, hearts and robots”, says Andrea. She decided to use grapeseed oil since it is good for all skin types and carefully thought out the amount of color to add to the bombs so the outcome would not be a stained tub afterwards. The next product created was whipped soap having a creamy mousse consistency for hand washing and bathing.
After her children tested the products out and Andrea was confident with what she created, she started utilizing social media platforms, passing out samples, and spoke with family and friends. In October of 2019, Smelly Kids Company was born.
The company is, “Inspired by kids, for kids”. It is a family affair with the children being at the forefront. They make use of idea boards and a suggestion box. The children provide Andrea with ideas for fragrances, colors, and product names. “We have weekly family meetings”, says Andrea. “The meetings are held on the weekends since weekdays are dedicated to school work.”
In just the course of a few months, Smelly Kids Company have made great strides. The company sells their products on Walmart Marketplace, attends events, and soon will be launching with Amazon.
Feedback is welcomed from new and existing customers for new product interests. Adults too, have mentioned their love for the products. I personally have been using the whipped soap in the Strawberry Milkshake scent which smells yummy. My hands feel so soft afterwards. I also love the bath bombs and lip balm!
Looking into the future, Smelly Kids Company is working on sunblock, moisturizers like whipped shea butter, as well as a line for teens. They are also looking to work with schools, kids charities, fundraising, and eventually, moving into a storefront since currently the business is out of their home.
1 oz Smelly Lip Balm. This lip balm container is bigger than most lip balms. Ingredients: coconut oil, beeswax, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, lip flavor oil and sugar sprinkles.
You can connect with Smelly Kids Company by going to their website which is linked below. On the bottom of the first page of their website you will find their social media icons linking to their other social media platforms. Please see their Youtube and Walmart Market Place link below.
I have not been to my ancestors country since they left
I was born in one of the places they came to for: La Dolce Vita!
Yet, in my heart
I see the old country as mine
I claim it with pride
I have questions and dreams where my bloodline stems
Nostalgic feelings that tie me to a place and people I never knew
Yet, I long for
Because it is who I am
The faces I have seen in fragments Generations later
Traveling at the mercy of the unpredictable sea
In the midst of unhealthy conditions
Seeking a better life
Some not making it
Ones that did
Toiled in this America for la famiglia
Showing this new land what family means
At times
Losing their life
For basic necessities
Which came scarcely back home
The culture that is near and dear to me
Italia! Oh, Italia!
Although you were rough on my ancestors
You have come a long way
I long to breathe your air
See your architecture
Soak in your sea
Taste the produce made from your rich volcanic soil
The food and wine made by the hands of my paisan
Have my feet feel the land where my heart is connected to
Experience your myths and legends
Visiting la strega who will take away il malocchio
With these thoughts I anxiously await to visit you
Until then
I dream
Did you ever feel as if you don’t quite know what theory in life to believe or what really works? I feel like that at times. For awhile now, I have been working on manifesting certain things in my life. So far, some things have not come into fruition as of yet. This has made me feel manifestation is not working for me. Maybe because I want it to happen in the blink of an eye…I don’t know.
I know things do not always happen in an instance, however, this lack of evidence has caused me to have some questions over the past few days: Is it because I am not truly believing? Is it because I am not doing it the right way? What could it be?
I’ve also been working on changing my subconscious mind, which can be a battle in and of itself; however, much needed when working on creating the life I desire. My mind wants to return to old thoughts and fears. I have to be aware of this when it happens so I do not continue in old thought patterns that do not serve me. It is in these moments I have to remember to say my mantras repeatedly, which amazingly after hearing the repetition changes my mood and perception instantaneously.
The beginning of summer, I bought a nice annual combo planter for my balcony. It had white petunias, some greens, and little pink flowers. For whatever reason, not too long after, the pink flowers died. Meanwhile, the rest of the planter filled out nicely.
This brings us to now, the month of September. Knowing the cold weather is coming near, about two weeks ago I was looking at my flowers and verbalized my wishes for those pink flowers that only gave me their visual pleasure for a short time, to come back before the cold weather kicks in. Well lo’ and behold, about a week later I started noticing a few pink flower buds. Then, I noticed more and more.
Pictures taken on different sides of the planter showing the pink flowers blooming all around.
This morning I went out to look at my flowers as I do everyday. I was amazed how the pink flowers are continuing to increase. I questioned this event by asking myself, “Did these flowers just happen to resurrect on their own or did I manifest them?” I went inside to get my spray bottle to give my flowers a misting. When I came back outside, to my surprise, a praying mantis was on my third floor balcony rail. Never before have I seen a praying mantis in the two years I am living at this apartment. I had pigeon land on the front window of my car, and humming birds and tree frogs visit me on my balcony, but never a praying mantis until today.
I felt this was an omen; a sign from God/Universe. When I looked up the meaning, it was exactly what I needed. I have not been meditating consistently. I am looking for direction in a certain area of my life. I believe the answers to the questions I have for that area live inside of me. I am always so busy, therefore, all the distractions take away from the time I need to quiet the noise long enough to let those moments of epiphany come through.
Instead, I am going though the rat-race being frustrated with unanswered questions simply because I have not made time to hear that still small voice that lives in my heart, rather it is always drowned out by the loud noise inside my head and around me.
When I read the articles- which I have the links for below-regarding the meaning of a praying mantis visitation, I realized that little alien looking insect was sent at this exact time to send me a message which was to reinforce what I already knew and was brought to my attention a couple of months prior, however, once again I fell short.
Back in July, I randomly went on Facebook and found in one of the groups I am a part of, a woman was giving a free card reading on Facebook Live. I happened to catch the event right when it started. She was pulling one card for anyone that asked her. Of course I requested a card be pulled, and the card that came out from me was: meditation. The card read, “Mediation Brings Answers.” I felt my eyes get big. This message resonated with me so much! Prior to this, I kept telling myself how I needed to meditate consistently in order to quiet my mind and obtain answers. Now here it is staring me in my face.
This was taken from a screenshot. I apologize the picture is a little blurry.
Now back to this recent event. I learned the praying mantis is a sign of stillness. They are a symbol of meditation and contemplation, meaning to be still and go within. Their pre-strike pose symbolizes balance and patience. I feel as though my question regarding my manifestation of the little pink flowers was answered through this insect that holds the symbolism I needed to be reminded of. It occurred to me that maybe I did indeed manifest those pink flowers that have not been present for months just through my words and specific desire for them since I knew exactly what I wanted.
Although I do know some specifics I want for my life, there are parts that are obscured. I need to be obedient with what God/Universe has been patiently telling me through messages and signs. As soon as I choose to do my part and meditate, the rest will flow. Sitting in silence will give me the clear answers I need, then I can speak specifically and manifest because I will be confident in what I am speaking out into the atmosphere.
There is a process and preparation that goes with the journey. The sign sent to me today is enough to ruffle up my faith that may have been diminishing. Answers to questions and reminders come in different forms. Sometimes, through an insect such as a praying mantis.
I can either choose to listen, knowing what I am supposed to do based off of current and previous events, or I can fall back into old patterns which will have me continually going around the mountain and wandering in the wilderness just wasting time, which then produces more and more frustration, keeping the battle going . Doing the work is for my higher good and purpose. I must trust the process.
I wrote all the above earlier in the day. I had to add this part because when I came home hours later, I found the praying mantis moved from the rail, and now was on the greens that share the same pot with the pink flowers . If I had even the slightest reservation of what this all meant before, this additional sign that now seemed to be screaming at me was definitely reassurance.
Herbal remedies and alternative healing have always been my first approach to any sickness I may have encountered throughout the years, as well as eating healthy and exercising. In 2002, I decided to resign to go back to school after working 12 years in a medical manufacturing facility in my hometown, of Reading, PA. Since I was always interested in health at a very young age, I thought nursing would be a great fit for me even though it was conventional medicine and not natural and holistic.
I became a certified nursing assistant and a phlebotomist. I found out early on while working in the hospital, hospice and nursing home environments, I did not want to further my education in nursing. Working around sickness was very depressing for me. When you see the result of disease and tragedy looking you in your face everyday, it can take a toll on you. It changed the way I viewed life.
I realized more and more how much life is a gift and we take things for granted. We never know what can happen to us or any of our loved ones in the blink of an eye. I wanted a more upbeat career, so I went on a career search and did some soul searching. I found communications was the right fit for my personality. I received a B.A in Corporate Communications in 2012.
Ironically, I have continued to work as a home health aide on a part-time basis for the last 17 years. It is a blessing to be able to help people experience a good quality of life while maintaining their dignity in their own home instead of a nursing home environment.
Since I am a person who is bothered by the suffering of others; I have a love for natural healing, and I am aware of the numerous health and emotional conditions so many people are dealing and/or struggling with-whether from a result of poor choices or from everyday stressors life can throw at us-I recently made the decision to become an instrument used to help people heal by becoming a Reiki practitioner.
I would love to be the earthly vessel you choose for your healing journey. This can occur in your own home. I do not have to be present or within close proximity. For more information please email me at: tracylynn614@hotmail.com
What is Reiki? It is a spiritual art of healing that heals a person from within using the divine energy that is in all of us and all around us. It is an alternative holistic healing of Japanese origin, addressing the mind, body, emotions and spirit of the person. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.” Taken from https://www.reiki.org/faq/whatisreiki.html
The practitioner uses a divine healing which comes from God/Source/Universe (whichever your belief system is) to open the person’s energy fields in order to become balanced and create a sense of well-being. Reiki moves stagnant energy in the body by moving healing energy to the fields around the body to promote the healing process.
The practitioner can use a light touch or hover over areas of the patient’s body to activate the universal healing energy. Reiki helps with: stress, depression, eliminates blockages, ability to remember, heal unwanted habits, physical injury and reduces the pain, emotional pain, boost the immune system, promotes relaxation, improves mental attitude, and more. Many hospitals are now implementing Reiki sessions as a part of patient care to heal faster.
Reiki is not a religion as some may think, and it does not come from the devil (I mention this because I have both heard and read about people who believe this to be true.) The devil does not heal. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy as the Bible says in John 10:10. Reiki may be similar to, but not the same as, the laying on of hands in the church. I am using this correlation to demonstrate Reiki from a perspective other than what you may have heard, or any preconceived ideas that have been instilled causing you fear that will hinder you from experiencing the many benefits Reiki has to offer.
How does distant Reiki work? Distant sessions are just as effective as if you were physically present with the practitioner. Because we, along with everything around us, are energy matter, we are all connected. I like to use a cellphone analogy as to how distant Reiki works.
Say the practitioner is a cellphone tower and the patient is the cellphone. The same way your cellphone produces a signal to find a tower, then the tower a signal to your phone, then they communicate with one another through frequency of the electromagnetic spectrum for your phone to connect and receive or make calls, text, etc… is similar to how Reiki energy is transferred through the airwaves. The process of using the cellphone analogy may be explained in much more detail and technical terms, however, I am using it briefly to give a description for a better understanding of how the distant Reiki process works.
What is involved in a Reiki session? Whether in-person or distant, the session will be the same other than the obvious which is in distant Reiki the patient is not present. The session will start with the patient and practitioner talking about anything that the patient would like worked on holistically. If present, this will be done face-to-face, then the patient will lie down on a massage table; if distant, the conversation will take place on the phone, then the call will disconnect, and the patient will lie down in a comfortable, quiet room in their home with no interruptions. In the case of distance, the practitioner will use a picture of the person or a surrogate. The practitioner will then set intentions and say a prayer for the Reiki to work in the highest good for the patient and the session will begin. After the session is over, the practitioner and patient will talk about anything that was experienced during the session.
I am offering distant Reiki sessions at the moment.
60 minutes is $50.00.
90 minutes is $75.00.
If you are interested in booking a session with me, please reach out to me at tracylynn614@hotmail.com
Here are some links below to help with any further understanding regarding Reiki.
