Zap Stress & Worry Less

Zap Stress & Worry Less!

The pressures and demands of everyday life can be quite demanding. Career obligations, financial obligations, and familial obligations are just a few factors that can contribute to daily stress and anxiety. Many may think Why did I choose to become an adult?

We live in a fast-paced society. Rarely do we have the opportunity to live in the moment, to be spontaneous, and to find the joy in the simple things. Instead of stopping, running to smell the roses becomes the norm. Physical and mental health are usually screaming for attention, but who has the time to listen? We forget that we are human beings and that we have human needs. Finally, when we do receive the opportunity to enjoy life, we feel guilty and why?

Let’s travel together down memory lane. Do you remember a time when you experienced extreme joy? What were you doing? Who were you with? Do you recall the smells and colors that surrounded you? Can you feel the bliss that was flowing in your heart? This my friends is the gateway into re-connecting to our desires.  

The world becomes accustomed to what it is that we allow. I would like to share a secret with you. We have limitless power. When we are unhappy or disconnected with particular areas in our lives we have the power to make a change. All begins or ends with our choices. First, we can consciously make the decision to make some healthy alterations. Afterwards, must take action.

5 Positive Tips to Zap Stress & Worry Less

1. Do an honest evaluation of yourself. How do you feel on a daily basis? Are you happy with your feelings?

2. Rate the state of your life on a scale from 1-10. Rate your career, family, finances, and leisure. Also, rate the status of your mental, physical, and emotional health.  

3. Create space and time that is just for you. Utilize this time to do nothing at all or to do the things that make you happy. Don’t worry, everyone and everything will adjust to your me-time.

4. Surround yourself with positive people who honor your needs and wishes.

5. Remember that life is an experience and not a destination. Live it to the fullest!

*About the Blogger: Jasmine Dominique M.A. is a Mental Health Clinician, Reiki Practitioner and Master Teacher, Lifestyle Consultant, and Motivational Speaker.

www.jasminedominique.com

Sereena - Music That just comes to me - there is no inpiration - there is no genre

Sereena

“Music that just comes to me - there is no inspiration - there is no genre.”

Source: Sereena Facebook page

Breaking News: Sereena’s debut EP 1of 3 will be releasing the week of May 1, 2017. That’s right next week! This will the first of three EP’s released over a six month period. The three songs on 1 of 3 are “Love You Again”, “Oh Sweet Faith”, and “Coachella”. Check out this video teaser of the song ‘Love You Again’. While on YouTube so make sure you subscribe to Sereena’s channel.

Since Sereena’s birth in Greenville, Ohio she has been singing. She has no idea when it started or why it happened, it was just something that Sereena did. Her early performances were captured on home video, he earliest was at the age of one, performing and singing from her high-chair.

After college Sereena, at the age of twenty two, moved to Nashville.

“I had no idea what I was doing. I had no job, no money, and no experience. I was so ready.” Source: except from Sereena Elizabeth Website

Sereena admits she struggled emotionally and didn’t sing for the first two years she lived in Nashville. Life took over and she became a salve to money. This slavery taught Sereena about herself. Sereena’s music depicts the trails and errors she faced then and facing now.

I emailed Sereena and asked her since the bio on her official website was so short if she wanted to add some to it. Her answer was that of honesty and brilliance.

“I wanted that bio to be very simple. It covers my life for the most part. I'm just a confused, twenty-something who is chained down by thoughts and fears of what others think. Every day I get stronger and more confident. Every day I get closer to my dream! Every day is also a struggle. Not trying to be poetic at all, just trying to show you where I'm at right now in life. I know a bio is more about your past and how you got to where you are, but I'm still climbing the steep and dangerous mountain. I'm not there yet.”

At this time Sereena doesn’t have any solo gigs book. However you can find her playing at writer’s nights across Nashville. Also she is in the process of planning a release party for August to celebrate the second EP drop. Stay tuned to Live Laugh Love Nashville as we will keep you abreast of the specifics once they are announced. The easiest way to keep track of Sereena is to use one or all of the links below.

• Official Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

[Writer’s Note: If you search for “Sereena” and she doesn’t pop up search for “Serenna Elizabeth”]

Besides Sereena writing songs and singing them she is a photographer, capturing life through the lens of a camera is a passion of hers. Sereena got her first camera around the age of ten. It was an immediate love. She could catch so many shots of so many different things. The sky was literally the limit with her camera. She tells Love Laugh Nashville:

“It has always been a hobby of mine but I have just recently picked it up on a more serious level. It’s a great way to meet new people, form relationships, be creative (actually have prints to touch versus the music that you hear) and help people create memories.”

Since then Sereena has participated on photo shoots with friends a couple times but just recently started thinking she could actually do this for a living. Sereena purchased a professional camera and headed out, shooting anything. Sereena started taking photos every day and eventually got hired to do her first wedding, newborn shoot, musician shoot, promo shoot and band shoot.

Sereena is the owner of Phocused Photography. They shoot weddings, musicians, fitness, babies, families, brands and food. You can find a sample of Phocused Photography’s work on their Facebook Page, along with all the contact info needed to book them for all your photo needs.

Breaking News: Phocused Photography has a special running until May 31. The 3 for 2: When you pay for two shoots you get the third free! For more details visit the Facebook Page and/or contact Phocused Photography.

Written 4-24-2017 by Joseph Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.

Pet Wants Nashville: Shawna Cohen

Type ‘healthy food for dogs’ or some derivative of the subject into any search engine, and you’ll have several million links for your browsing pleasure.

When Shawna Cohen looked for alternate options for Enzo after a bout of undiagnosed health issues, she stumbled onto the ideals of cooking actual, whole food. Finding some success led her to educate other pet parents on the benefits of homemade food. She quickly outgrew her home kitchen and needed something on a bigger scale.

Opening a store would mean sharing her passion and mission for healthy living on an even larger scale. Enter Pet Wants. Ready for a big adventure, Shawna packed up her life in New Mexico and headed to Nashville.

I recently interviewed Shawna, intrigued with Nashville’s new and hip residents:

I read on the About page of your website you learned of Pet Wants and decided to leave New Mexico to come to Nashville. Why Nashville?

The one and only reason I chose Nashville was because it was the only city I knew someone in and by that, it really was just one person!

I had lived in Phoenix, Arizona and South Dakota and did know people there, but knew I didn't want to live in either of those places again - so Nashville it was!  After doing research and seeing what a dog- friendly city along with so many events and festivals for dogs made the choice even easier!  Also, learning what was happening in East Nashville with all the renovations and being the new and up-and-coming area of Nashville and such a welcoming pet community, I knew this would be a great location for the store.

I love that you have a delivery service for your products. You are quite possibly the only shop in this area doing this.

When I was in the midst of trying to figure out how to start a pet food business, delivery was something I wanted to incorporate. I knew it would be a great convenience and incentive for people. The delivery service is part of the Pet Wants Model. We had a choice of doing just a mobile delivery service or retail store with delivery.

Being that I'm the only Pet Wants in Nashville, I can deliver anywhere I want. My limit is about 40-45 minutes – about a 50 mile radius.  As it is now, I go to Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Hermitage, Madison, Inglewood, Smyrna, Bellevue, Green Hills, West Nashville, East Nashville, and any areas that are close to those cities. I will expand the area even more as business progresses.

A lot of pet parents (myself included) may think that good, whole food for our pets is priced high. But your prices are in-line with the major national brands. How are you able to keep your prices so low?

Our prices are just below the most premium brands and obviously higher than the lowest so we try to stay comparable without devaluing our premium ingredients and most of all, the freshness of the food.

What helps us stay competitive is that Pet Wants is its own brand of food that is manufactured specifically for and sent directly to us right from the plant rather than going through other distribution companies. 

It is a small, family-owned manufacturing plant that doesn't manufacture pet food for too many other companies. 

Being that it is made only once a month with limited ingredients cooked in smaller batches allows the ingredients to be fresher and most of the ingredients, with the exception of our proteins, are locally sourced as much as possible to cut down on costs.

Being a part of Pet Wants is also about the passion of our pets and being able to provide a superior product at an affordable price.

Shawna is warm and inviting. Her passion for healthy living for all members of the family shines through. She resides in Nashville with her first love, Enzo, and Shelby, both Husky mixes rescued in New Mexico.

Pet Foods Nashville is conveniently located at 962 Woodland St. and is open seven days a week. Food for cats and dogs, as well as a variety of supplements, bones and treats are available.

Find her online and Facebook.

Written 4-13-2017 by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Feature Friday

Katie Austin

[Writers Note: For official rules and complete details of the Folgers^® Jingle contest click  here.]

NEWSFLASH

Katie Austin and her friend Lainey Wilson need the votes of everyone in Nashville. Katie and Lainey are currently one of the top five finalists in the Folgers^® Coffee Jingle Contest. Out of the top five Katie and Lainey are the only finalists from Nashville.

Katie and Lainey had a full day mentoring session with Chris Young, Grammy^® Nominated Country Music Artist. Katie, Lainey, along with Chris were featured on WSMV’s “Today in Nashville” discussing the Folgers^® Coffee Jingle Contest.

Let’s support our local artists and cast your vote for them. Fan voting is open until Monday April 24, 2017. By voting you have a chance to win $10,000 or a free year’s supply of coffee. Fans can vote once a day so let’s get to it!

Vote for Katie and Lainey

BREAKING NEWS

Katie Austin and Lainey Wilson will be playing at The Listening Room Café for the Song Suffragettes writers round on Monday April 17^th 6 - 7:30 PM. It's an all-female round. Make your reservations and get your tickets now as they fill up and sell out fast.

Vote for Katie and Lainey

Katie Austin the Performer

A cowgirl boot with a stiletto heel – Nashville based Katie Austin's music is a blend of her roots from a small town in Louisiana and her love of the city lights! Whether she's performing one of her high energy, foot stomping songs or serenading you with a bone chilling melody, she has a musical identity that is genuine and found in all the songs she writes and sings.

Katie Austin was discovered by the entertainment director of Cowboys Dance Hall venues, shortly after she first moved to Nashville. Cowboys moved Katie to Texas where she became their female headliner for two years. Katie performed for thousands of two-stepping, beer drinking country lovers and also had the pleasure of opening for Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, Big and Rich, Collin Raye, and many more. After gaining irreplaceable experience on stage and lifelong friends and fans, Katie made her next move and relocated back to Music City.

Back in Nashville the next chapter of her career began. This exciting time consisted of many opportunities that ranged from; performing on the Carnival Cruise Lines ship The Ecstasy as well as the Carnival Magic debut, alongside with none other than Maroon 5. Katie was also the only female, out of 300 hundred entries, in the 2012 "Battle For The Saddle" finals for the world famous Wildhorse Saloon.

Watch the video of Katie on stage at the Wildhorse Saloon performing Kerry Harvicks "Cowgirls."

Katie is currently touring on a regular basis and songwriting full time along with recording new music. “Broken Record”, her single will debut in May of this year, if everything goes as planned. Katie has put three of her new songs into a short soundbite titled New Music Sneak Peak, which can be found on her Official Website and Reverbnation. Go take a listen.

Katie is currently looking into booking shows for the CMA Fest. Her confirmed shows are listed below. Go see her live, you will not regret it.

• Monday April 17, 2017 - Nashville, TN – The Listening Room Café – Song Suffragettes Round (Katie is appearing with Lainey Wilson and others).
• Saturday April 22, 2017 - Harvey, LA – Boomtown Casino (Katie is appearing as a special guest with the Boothill Band)
• Sunday July 30, 2017- Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State Fair

Have you voted yet, you could be missing out on ten grand!

Vote for Katie and Lainey

Katie Austin the Person

Katie admits she loves food but she is also a healthy eater. In an email reply she wrote.

“I love food, but I'm also a healthy eater so I actually meal prep at home most of the time. I usually eat lots of lean protein, avocado, spinach, quinoa, dark chocolate.... things like that. However, my fav "junk food" would be pizza, mac and cheese, donuts and ice cream.”

When I ask her what she liked to do in her downtime and some of the things she enjoyed while in town she wrote.

“My favorite downtime is catching up with friends, shopping, traveling and trying new things. I live here in Nashville so I love trying all the new restaurants that aren't anywhere but here. Same goes for shopping... I love going to the one of a kind boutiques. I also love trying all the fun adventures that Nash has to offer lately such as renting bikes, hiking waterfalls, playing Giant Jenga, and things like that. I also love going to support my fellow singer songwriter friends. And KICKBOXING. Lol.”

Don’t miss your chance at a year’s worth of free Folgers coffee!

Vote for Katie and Lainey

Katie Austin’s Website and Social Media Links

• Official Website
• Facebook
• Instagram (Katie loves photographs!)
• Twitter
• YouTube

What others are saying about the incredible voice and stage presence of Katie Austin.

““You rocked the stage tonight, darling!” ”

-John Rich (Get Rich Talent Contest)

““People just have a talent of owning the stage and you do, you’re an entertainer, you’ve done this, you’re seasoned. Your voice is strong, your vocals are incredible.” ”

- Alan Mitchell Mercury Records Battle of the Bands Judge/The Tin Roof

““Katie is the ‘cute girl next door” with a great voice! To see her sing you feel like you’re watching a young Shania Twain. She has a smooth delivery that seems effortless. With Katie’s crystal clear voice and friendly Southern attitude, you can’t help but enjoy yourself when she performs.” ”

-Margie Maybe Assistant Program Director 102.5 WFMF/Clear Channel Radio Baton Rouge

Written 4-9-2017 by Joseph Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.

Dylan Russell - Singer/Songwriter

Dylan Russell

Singer - Song Writer

[Writers Note: Live Laugh Love Nashville would like to congratulate Dylan on the release of his EP 'An Exhibit of My Mistakes' now available on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud and more. Dylan kicked off the release with a show at The Back Corner here in Nashville on March 31, 2017.]

Dylan is a twenty-one year old singer/songwriter who has been hard at work since moving to Nashville from Missouri in 2013 for an internship. An Exhibit of My Mistakes combines Dylan’s singer/songwriter roots with his alt-pop influences that reflects that hard work.

Dylan is an Independent Artist so to help fund his music he started a Kickstarter campaign. After its success, Dylan teamed up with producer Christian Fiore to create something original, honest, and compelling. The result shines through on his new single Let Me Leave and showcases Dylan’s talents. The single is from his EP, An Exhibit of My Mistakes.

To listen and/or buy Dylan Russell’s music click on one of the links below.

• iTunes
• Spotify
• SoundCloud

To keep up with Dylan Russell and his music check out his Official Website and follow him on Social Media.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Written 4-2-2017 by Joseph Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.