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Do you ever feel like you’re going “through the weeds” of life? Maybe you’ve fallen into a monotonous routine that doesn’t give you that spark of happiness you’ve been craving, or perhaps life has been busy taking you in so many different directions that you’ve begun to feel completely unbalanced and are desperate for a little “me” time to relax and unwind. I’m right there with you, folks. I’ve definitely been feeling like I’m in the weeds here lately. Juggling working from home, building a brand new home, tending all day to an almost two year old who can throw a tantrum at the drop of a hat, and being involved in local community projects has left me feeling a little drained and starved for quality “me time.”
So recently I decided to start being intentional about carving out a specific time of day that is dedicated solely to myself. It may be 5 minutes, it may be 15 minutes, or I may even give myself an hour if I can (depending on how well my toddler naps,) but I’m determined to start putting an emphasis on embracing my own personal happiness and well being. I sat down just a few days ago and started making a list of the little things in my life that bring me happiness and joy.
The more that I thought about things that made me happy, the more my mind started to zone in on one common thread: Food and Drink
I’m going to keep it real. Ya girl loves to eat! But what truly makes me happy about food is the way it can positively fuel our body and help us to be a better version of ourselves. I recently visited my local Publix store and stocked up on all of my favorite fruits and a few fun extras that make me smile every time I see them. The smells and vibrant colors of fresh produce always make me SO happy! Plus, I know that I’m doing my body a big favor every time I take a bite. Snacking on fruits throughout the day is a sure-fire way to turn my mood around and transform my happiness into mental and physical wellness!
Another thing on my shopping list was Bigelow Benefits tea. Being from the South, tea runs heavy in my blood. It’s always a nice treat to pick out a new flavor to enjoy, and Bigelow Benefits tea was just the thing to incorporate into my “me time!”
Bigelow Benefits is a new line of tea from Bigelow Tea that focuses on supporting everyday wellness. There are 7 different flavors that combine premium quality and all-natural herbs traditionally thought to ease the everyday issues in uncommonly delicious ways. As I was oohing and ahhing over all of the lovely flavors, my mind instantly zoned in on the Lemon and Echinacea “Stay Well” variety.
The “Stay Well” variety is enhanced with lemongrass & echinacea, which are ingredients known to help your body’s defenses and be a supportive hand to your overall health. I knew right away that adding Bigelow Benefits into my daily routine would really help me fuel my body in a positive way and be a special treat that I get to enjoy for myself. As always, Bigelow Benefits are non-GMO, gluten free, all natural and made right here in the USA.
To help me really make it a point to give myself a little “me time” every day, I decided to get a little crafty (another thing that makes me happy) and give myself a special place to display my favorite things during the day. I’ve been admiring the look of tiered trays being on display in kitchens in magazines here lately, so I decided to give it a whirl and make my own! I figured it would be the perfect thing to display my fruit and Bigelow Benefits. Every time I walk past it, I know I won’t be able to resist grabbing a bite!
Want to make your own DIY tiered fruit stand? I’ve got a simple tutorial for you to follow along with! I hope it encourages you to embrace happiness and wellness throughout your day, too!
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
All supplies were purchased from my local craft/hobby store (they were all found on the same aisle, too!) You can easily make a tiered fruit stand using all kinds of everyday items and are not limited to using the same things I used. Let your imagination run wild!
Note: I went ahead and stained all of the items pictured ahead of time because I wanted to use a distressed paint method on my stand. The stain gave the wood a nice base color. You can use whatever paint method you choose, but I recommend painting before assembling.
1. Decorative Wooden Balls – These are optional, but I like the way they give the stand a little lift and make it look extra fancy. Make sure you look for some that have a flat surface on one side.
2. Wooden Planks – You’ll want to look for two or three different sizes, depending on how many tiers you want to make.
3. Wooden Dowel Rod – Look for a long, sturdy dowel rod to hold the layers of the stand together. I went ahead and cut my dowel down to the size I liked using a band saw.
4. Decorative Wooden Topper – If you choose to do a decorative topper, make sure it will fit properly on the dowel rod that you purchase!
You will also need:
Paint of your choice, wood glue, a ruler and a pencil.
Step 1: After you’ve painted all items, measure to the exact center of each wooden plank using a ruler. I made a mark in the center and then lined my dowel rod up with the mark and traced around it. Doing this will help you quickly and easily line things up when you get ready to glue.
Step 2: Repeat the first process on the underside of the top tier. This will also help you keep things properly aligned when you’re ready to glue.
Step 3: On the underside of the bottom tier, measure and mark a spot 1 inch inward on both sides to place the wooden balls for the feet.
Step 4: Glue on the feet and dowels where you made your center markings. Remember, using wood glue can take a long time to set, so be patient! Once it’s dry, erase any visible pencil markings if necessary. 
If you’re looking to get out of that “in the weeds” feeling and find a bit of happiness and wellness in your life, I encourage you to sit down (with a cup of Bigelow Benefits tea in hand) and make out a list of the things you’d like more of in your life. Bigelow Benefits is for the everyday person who is looking to little things everyday to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, and it’s been a delicious and refreshing element to my day!
What are some ways that you currently seek wellness and happiness throughout the day? Do you take certain steps to practice a healthier lifestyle? What flavor of Bigelow Benefits would make you smile the most?
Visit Bigelow Benefits to find a full list of available flavors and for more information!
I am right there with you and feel quite in the weeds myself. I’m a part time work at home mom, full-time stay at home mom to three kids 6 and under. My fourth baby is due next week!! I’m trying to get the house ready, finish work and start work all while trying to keep my sanity. lol I haven’t yet mastered a way to get any “me” time, but I do make sure to have my afternoon cup of tea while the kids play outside. I just watch them from the porch and sit with my dog and hot mug. I’ve been loving Bigelow Benefits Balance flavor. The blackberry and cinnamon flavor are so yummy! Thanks for sharing your DIY fruit stand, it’s gorg! #client