#benepsrays

This creamy crockpot fiesta chicken recipe makes a delicious fall dinner you can cozy up to the fire with. It is easy to prepare and best served with tortilla chips.

This recipe is from The Magical Slow Cooker and makes around 8 servings. Plan for at least 6 hours and at most 8 hours for prep and cook time!

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 oz. packet spicy or fiesta Hidden Valley Ranch Mix

15 oz. can black beans, drained

15.25 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained

10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes, not drained

8 oz. cream cheese (use low-fat for less calories)

1 small sweet yellow onion, diced

Tortilla chips to dip

Directions

Firstly, add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.

Next, sprinkle the ranch packet over the chicken breasts.

Add the drained corn, drained beans, tomatoes, onion, and place the cream cheese block on top.

Then, place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

Shred the chicken with two forks while in the slow cooker.

Stir the cream cheese into the chicken and other ingredients.

Lastly, serve this creamy crockpot fiesta chicken with chips and enjoy!

Thanksgiving is Just Around the Corner!

If you had diabetes would you take insulin? Maybe you are a diabetic and you do take insulin. Similarly, if you suffered from severe anxiety and depression would you take medication? Just because this illness is unseen does not make it any less real. Mental health illnesses are just as real as physical illnesses. Your mental and physical health are interconnected and therefore what is happening in your brain impacts the rest of your body. Therefore, let’s stop the mental health stigma, especially the stigma surrounding medication.

According to Bradley University, studies have linked mental health such as schizophrenia or depression with a shorter life. Depression has been linked to a 50 percent increase in death from cancer and a 67 percent increase in death from heart disease.

In his article for Menlo Psychiatric Health and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Alex Dimitriu discusses how to overcome the stigma of psychiatric medication. He states that millions of people do not get the help they need because of the stigma surrounding mental health medicines. The best way to treat mental illness is through a combination of therapy and medication. Medication gives patients the clarity and stability they need to benefit from the therapy. It treats the physical aspects of mental illness and balances chemicals in the brain.

Dr. Dimitrui says, “Taking medication for mental health is no different than taking it for physical health. With chemical imbalances in the brain under control, the patient is free to work on improving behavior and emotional imbalances.”

He compares taking medicine for mental health to taking it for high blood pressure. You wouldn’t tell someone with high blood pressure to simply ‘relax’. Similarly, you wouldn’t tell someone dealing with anxiety and panic attacks to ‘get it together.’ Essentially there is no difference.

Is Stress Keeping You Awake?

DREAMit, your all-natural sleep aid contains valerian root to help you wind down and reduce your anxiety. It is not a mental health medication, but it simply helps your body to relax before bedtime and get a good night’s rest.

We are going to follow up self-care week with a DIY foot scrub and hair mask recipe! Use these recipes along with the face mask recipes to kick back, relax, and enjoy the weekend.

Foot scrub recipe

©www.simplystacie.net

This DIY foot scrub recipe is from mindbodygreen

Ingredients

For this foot scrub recipe, you will need a 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup sea salt, and 1/3 cup olive oil. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make your scrub smell good.

Directions

Firstly, pour the sugar and salt into a mixing bowl and stir it until combined.

Next, drizzle the olive oil slowly and blend to your desired level of thickness. The more oil you use, the thinner your scrub will be. Then, drop in the essential oil of your choice.

Lastly, mix until it forms a paste. Use it immediately or store it in a cool, dry area with an airtight lid.

Wash your feet before using this scrub, and moisturize after rinsing it off. Use once a week for best results.

Hair mask recipe

This DIY hair mask recipe from Cosmopolitan works to soften your hair and make it shine.

Ingredients

For this mask recipe, use 1 ripe avocado, 1 tablespoon of argan or olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/8 cup coconut milk (or almond milk).

Directions

Firstly, combine all of the ingredients in a blender or a hand mixer.

Next, smooth the mixture throughout your DRY hair, from roots to tips, then wrap and clip your hair up.

Leave this mask on for no less than 30 minutes, then shampoo and condition.

attributed to holistichabits

We hope you enjoy these DIY foot scrub and hair mask recipes!

Have trouble relaxing before bedtime?