Forest of Youth Holistic Spa and Healing Arts

01/31/2025

Hi!!!

I just placed my Esthetician license in escrow.. 😭 The first time I won’t be a licensed Esthetician since 2011.

Focusing on my babies has been hugely rewarding but in this financial climate, a little scary.

I’m grateful for all of you who have been on this journey with me!!! Thank you! Thank you for witnessing me, cheering me on, supporting my work, clients that have been on my table to make all this possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥️

I won’t be posting on this account for the foreseeable future. If you would like to continue following my journey please follow me Ashley Suzelis or Joy Blooms Medicinals!

Blessings to all as we navigate the tides of change. May you all be protected by the strength of your spirit and the communities we build together.

🙏❤️🌹

01/29/2025

Whewww what a wild few months!

I had a mild case of pneumonia at the end of my pregnancy, delivered my sweet Dahlia at 42 weeks at home without the midwife, then at 2 weeks postpartum we got the flu 😅 How ya’ll doing out there? We are finally well over here.

Now that Dahlia is a month old we are finding a rhythm. It’s been a difficult adjustment for Samara. She has regressed in some ways and we’ve seen more tantrums this past month than her whole life lol It’s an interesting place to be.. needing to be super in tune with a newborn while trying to give my 2 year old enough attention 😭 It’s been emotional for me knowing that Samara is acting out in part because she’s not getting the attention she used to from mamma.

But we are figuring it out! ❤️

I’m so grateful our family is healthy and happy and I know that in large part it’s because of our attention to healthy lifestyle and eating. And mindset! I have some pretty epic self control I must say lol but going through Dahlias birth, I realized that it was such a blessing and gift to be able to stay in my power by keeping myself centered and aligned towards my desired outcome. I truly believe that choosing to endure the discomfort of childbirth is empowering. It helps women to understand on a deep physical level that we are often capable of so much more than we (or others) think.

I used to be intimidated by mothers and now I know why! It’s badassery at its finest lol I’m proud of the woman I’ve become. And I know it’s just the beginning ☺️

🌹😘💖

12/30/2024

Meet our precious Dahlia!! 🥰❤️

She was born Sunday,December 29th at 12:25am ✨
9.5 lbs!!!

This will probably be the only picture I post of her face. I just love the scrunched up after birth face with those chubby cheeks!!!! 🥹

This was my second Unmedicated homebirth! I’ll share my birth story here soon. For now, we are just so happy that she is here and healthy and all is well 🙏😌💖

12/17/2024

40 weeks!

Yesterday was my due date. I have been feeling under the weather the past few weeks with possible mild case of pneumonia or maybe just a gnarly chest cold. Now that Nanna is here to help entertain Samara, I’ve been starting to get more rest. The past few days I’ve spent in bed resting & napping. Trying to get this cough cleared before I go into labor 😅

The rest has been helping 🙏 and yesterday I was able to take a long, hot bath with epsom salts and goats milk while listening to divine feminine frequencies 🌹Nanna and Max have been relieving me of my responsibilities so I felt pretty Queenly yesterday lol I decided I needed to put on my frilly robe to really look the part 👑 and I got a foot & leg rub to really seal the deal! 😋

My Mom and Dad stopped by to drop off a few homeopathic remedies and we had a nice visit 🥰 The remedies started helping right away!! My cough has been much more manageable and I don’t feel fatigued after small movements now. 🙏 Definitely going to still rest as much as possible but I felt the clouds clear last night and started getting excited about the possibility of meeting Dahlia this week.

I’m feeling that going into labor is an art. It’s getting the things ready that are needed to feel at ease, bring nourished & taken care of, focusing on releasing pent up energies and emotions. Having heartfelt conversations with loved ones, and feeling the excitement of meeting your baby.

Today I’m going to sage the house with a bundle of Russian Sage I made from our garden! And I want to rearrange my altars. Further encouraging a peaceful, harmonious environment for our dear one to come Earthside. I want to give her a beautiful birth with beautiful energy as much as I want it for myself. Labor is absolutely all about Love.

I’m so grateful I have a hardworking man to lean on and who was able to pay for a midwife so I can experience birth again from the comfort of my home.
Love you, Max ❤️🙏

Blessings!! 🌹

12/01/2024

This was my 37 week picture.. never got around to posting lol I’m 38 weeks tomorrow!

Feeling ripe and ready but I’m hoping Dahlia and I have an agreement that she won’t come before Nanna gets here next week 😅 I’m super grateful Max’s mom is coming to stay with us while we transition to a family of 4! 🥹 This time around I’m not so foolish to think that I don’t need to call in all the support we have.

November was a super busy month with seeing lots of people and getting things in order here, then Samaras 2nd birthday! I have told everyone that starting December I am not going anywhere! lol Riding in the car is painful at this point, my ribs just ache because they are being pushed to the side and it’s super hard to get comfortable. Let alone all the crazy holiday traffic.. I’m ready for rest and getting as cozy as possible.

Samara has thankfully been sleeping through the night recently! I’ve been waking up with more energy.. imagine that! 🤣 I did give up coffee again a few weeks ago because I realized I was pushing myself beyond what my physical body wanted. I think it’s so important to be in tune with the natural flow of the energetics during pregnancy. I did rely on coffee for a short time to get me through some long days but I feel much better being in tune with where my body is actually at and not pushing it too far.

I just want to say, all you women who are, have been or will work through your third trimester.. you are a beast. I literally can’t imagine holding down a job while going through this. It’s hard enough to keep up with the household cleaning, cooking, dishes, laundry, shopping and taking care of a toddler. I’m curious to hear others experiences! Share if you wish! Living on the edge of human endurance is wild! lol The only way I could have done it is with coffee but I intuitively feel that would have made me give birth early. I’m all about letting my baby take her time in there. ❤️

Happy New Moon ya’ll!
Wishing everyone a Blessed one!

11/25/2024

My baby girl is 2!!! 🥹

We had a wonderful birthday celebration for Samara this week. She has been excited to celebrate and sings “Happy Birthday” a lot and now asks for cake too! 🤣 I made carrot cake cupcakes with fresh organic local carrots 😋 She has only recently gotten a taste of icing and is obsessed 😅

She had a few friends come over who gave this little princess a crown and tutu which she happily wore over her bunny overalls 🤣 I never intended for her to like princess things but that is what she has naturally gravitated towards!

She is such a sweet girl that sings all day and I’m so happy to be her mamma 🥰 I’ve never had a life experience that’s been so fulfilling and rewarding. Motherhood is so so hard at times, especially when you have little sleep and to do lists that never seem to get done and an emotional child that needs a lot of attention and comfort.. but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m grateful I get to be a present parent and not have to split my attention with career ambitions right now. We live very simply on one income and food is a main priority. But we always have what we need. And Samara doesn’t seem to mind being “bored” at times.. in fact her creativity and singing have been such a joy to witness!!

Happy Birthday to my little queen in the making 👸🥰💖

**you may think it’s strange I don’t post photos of her beautiful face but after I read Instagram and Facebook can use photos for AI, it just didn’t feel right to allow my baby girl to be used in that way. To each their own.. no judgment for others! ❤️

11/17/2024

36 weeks tomorrow!!

I was thrown a beautiful Blessingway by .kay__ and 🥰
So grateful for you ladies taking the time to help this mamma feel special and loved. Thanks Alyssa for the gorgeous henna. Samara keeps asking to see “mommy’s flower.” lol Thanks for driving 6 hours to come be with us! Thanks Sarah for bringing sacred songs to sing! Thank you for coming to share in the love 🥰

These women are such a blessing to me. Transitioning into Motherhood is tough! It’s one of the wildest growth experiences I’ve encountered and having wonderful women around is key for not going crazy in my opinion lol Thanks ladies for keeping me sane.. enough! 🤪

I’ve got some extra special juju to surround myself with now as I prepare for my second homebirth.

🙏💖❤️🥰😘

11/07/2024

Hi Friends!

Joy Blooms Medicinals is my new business page. I will be archiving Forest of Youth Holistic Spa and Healing Arts in the near future. I want to transition away from the old and bring fresh energy into my new project. Please follow my new page for updates and happenings! I'm not sure what all will be unfolding.. but I'm excited for the journey~~:)
~ ❤ ~

Helloooo!

This is my new business page! Please follow for info on my homegrown and wildcrafted medicines!

I am passionate about connecting with Nature's offerings, cycles and rhythms and alchemizing them into medicine that bring more health and vitality into our bodies. I believe Nature is the best healer and am inspired by the timeless wisdom and beauty she offers. I love growing organic medicinal plants and listening to what they want to be made into to connect us deeper to Nature, to ourselves and each other.

~

11/06/2024

Keeping the vision 💖

This time of year I always feel incredibly connected to my ancestors. On All Saints Day, it was windy and I felt called to send my prayers into the wind as well as listen to hear what message they wanted to come through.

They told me that change is happening. And that the most powerful thing we can do is to not give into division and fear. But to trust. To keep holding the highest and greatest vision for all in our hearts. To not let all the “what if’s” keep us separated from what is important.

My highest vision for this election is that we can come together in Unity to create the change we want instead of solely relying on National leaders.

Sending love 🙏💖

10/25/2024

32 weeks!

Getting excited.. it’s all happening so fast!! I can’t wait to meet our precious Dahlia. And to see Samara take it all in and become a big sister 🥹

Samara has been a delight, even when she’s cranky or throwing a fit 😆 At least that’s how I’m experiencing it. I guess it’s a choice in a lot of ways. I could see my younger self getting frustrated a lot more and impatient with parenting a toddler.. but I am seriously enjoying the process. I have so much love & appreciation for getting to be a mamma and getting to spend so much time with her. We have an amazing babysitter 2 days a week now so I can catch up on things and get in a nap 😅 and Max has been able to spend more time with us recently, so even though I’m pretty uncomfortable in my body at this point, I feel I’m getting most of what I need.

I’m moving pretty slow these days so I’m still getting my homemade herbal products together. I’m hoping to have them all bottled and labeled here within a few weeks:) I dream of when we have land to spread out on and to really dive into the wisdom of the land we will caretake and get a better system in place for the whole process from growing the medicine to alchemizing it and then getting it into the hands of the people. To deepen my roots. 💖

This beautiful autumn weather has been perfect for me to get out and walk so I’m keeping somewhat limber and I’m in much better shape than when I was pregnant with Samara. Even still, I have a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep because it’s hard to get comfortable. I read recently that during pregnancy, a woman lives on the edge of human endurance 😅 and it totally feels like that. But it’s all so worth it. 💖💕

10/12/2024

31 weeks this Monday!!

Mamma is doing good! My friend, coffee, really helps me on the days I need to be faster than molasses lol I’m only drinking a half cup but it does the trick! Max promised he would be home more to cook, do chores & take care of me once I entered my waddle phase.. and he is delivering! 🙏🥰🙌❤️

We’re enjoying this fall weather and the last bit of harvesting from our garden. We eat mostly within 100 miles!! What we don’t grow we buy from local farmers. We only supplement with produce from the grocery store when we have to. I truly believe it’s part of why we stay so healthy and connected to the eco system. The cucumber salad I made today has cucumbers & onions from one of our favorite farmers, , another favorite farmer, , grew the garlic I put in the homemade dressing with cherry tomatoes & basil from our garden! It’s so delicious and way more nutritious than anything you can buy.

My little girl is the cutest muppet I know 🥰🤣she’s so entertaining and has been singing like a songbird recently 😍 We’re living & loving over here!!
❤️‍🔥

09/21/2024

27 weeks!

Post workout pic 💪💪 getting it in when I can 😅 but when I do it definitely makes me feel stronger. And a date night picture.. we need to get better at taking good pictures together 🤣

3 months away from baby Dahlias arrival! And 2 months away from Samara’s 2nd birthday 🥹🥲it does go so fast. Samara has been SO much fun!!!! We are having a blast, getting in the last of the summers rays and hot days before Autumn officially arrives. Samara has been singing a lot.. she has been singing her ABC’s and Bingo lol She’s been using her imagination a lot lately to play while mommy does dishes or cleaning. 🙏🙏 Riding her bike with her baby lol, foraging buckeyes from next door, picking tomatoes from the garden.. playing hide and seek with mommy & daddy 🥰

I’ve been feeling mostly great:) Having a hard time sleeping at night recently though and experiencing carpel tunnel in my arms, which I had with Samara too. I’m in my waddle phase lol my belly feels sooo big already 😅

I started experiencing dry skin and decided to ditch the expensive organic products and stick to things I make and wow has my skin been so much better and it’s improving dramatically! I’m actually blown away and realizing that I need to formulate a few more products so I’ll be working on that. I’ll have a bunch of new stock of my good ‘ol faithful wellness products and a new version of my tallow balm coming soon! Virgo season has been very motivating for me!! 🙏❤️