Almost everyone knows the life-changing benefits of meditation, but putting it into practice can still be challenging. People often think that it needs to be perfect and give up way too easily. Over decades of teaching it, I’ve heard all the excuses.
“I can’t clear my mind”
“I can’t sit comfortably”
“I can’t sit still”
“I’m distracted by my family”
The most common excuse by far is…
“I don’t have enough time”
You know what? I don’t have a lot of time either! But I do manage to prioritize meditation everyday. It just takes on a different form from the disciplined seated practice most people assume you need to do for it to be “real meditation”.
While a 20 minute seated practice upon rising is what starts my day off best, there are some days, like today, where that just wasn’t possible. I had to get out the door quick to teach a yoga class. Of course I couldn’t enter the room with frantic energy. I needed to ground, to focus my mind, and give myself space to let my creative sequencing juices flow. How did I do this from the car to the class?
WALKING MEDITATION
That’s right. You can quiet your mind with the simple movement you do every single day as you transition from one space to the next.
This simple 3-minute walking meditation helped me teach one of my best classes. I know walking meditation can help you as well when you need to anchor fully into the present moment.
The technique is super easy.
Focus on the sensation of each foot, one at a time, connecting with the ground from heel to toe. Over and over, heel-arch-toe, heel-arch-toe, heel-arch-toe…
You can do this at any pace, but most people can focus easier the slower you go.
You’re not clearing the mind, you’re focusing the mind. We brush off distracting thoughts that are not focused on what you’re doing in the present moment, which is simply walking on the earth.
You can strengthen your mind even more by using your imagination to ground your energy. Imagine that you’re walking through mud, or that you’re rooted underneath the earth and these roots are traveling with you.
I invite you to try this method! I promise it will help you prepare your mind for your daily activities. Brilliance lives in the present moment – not from time spent imagining what might happen in the future.
Certainly time spent in seated meditation with help you drop into a meditative state quicker when you need to do walking meditation instead. Please click here to browse my free guided meditations to help you along.
Concerned citizens have been talking about the dangers of glyphosate for several years. How do you keep your family safe from it and other toxins?
My awareness of it being a potential carcinogen was heightened in 2015 when my stepfather (who was an enthusiastic Roundup user on his ranch) passed away from a quick and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. This is the same cancer that plaintiff Dewayne “Lee” Johnson has, who just successfully won a case against Monsanto here in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2018.
“After eight weeks of trial proceedings, the jury found unanimously that Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer caused Mr. Johnson to develop NHL, and that Monsanto failed to warn of this severe health hazard. Importantly, the jury also found that Monsanto acted with malice, oppression or fraud and should be punished for its conduct.”
Why should you be concerned about glyphosate if you’re not the one actively spraying RoundUp in your yard?
Glyphosate is everywhere…
It’s also on the grass your children play on in the park and in vaccines (yes, injected into our bodies).
Now that the law is recognizing that Monsanto knows their product causes cancer and has been hiding the information, and that the EPA did not regulate it’s use properly, it will be interesting to see what happens with Big Agriculture and our regulatory agencies.
What I’m most interested in is seeing how the public uses this information.
How about you? Are you going to wait until glyphosate is banned completely by the government? Or will you take action now?
Glyphosate Is Not The Only Harmful Toxin
If you visit EWG’s website, you’ll learn of many other substances that can harm our health – herbicides, pesticides, triclosan, phthalates and other chemicals in conventional food and personal care products.
I’m providing you with this information not to overwhelm you, but to empower you!
It’s in your best interest to become educated on this now and not rely on the government to tell you what you should be concerned about.
I always suggest that you talk to your doctor about any of the information I share on this blog before making health decisions. However, you must realize that many are not trained in whole food nutrition and may not be educated about environmental toxins.
When I visited a family member who was in the hospital for a month, I was horrified at the food they were giving him (conventional processed food which I believe helped to create the condition he was getting treatment for – when I talked to his doctors about it they could not confirm or deny this). And the hospital cafeteria did not have ANY organic food. Government supported healthcare simply does not recognize industry used pesticides as being a problem.
10 Ways To Stay Safe From Toxins
1. Buy organic
Buy organic food, produce, and clothes when you can (cotton is a highly-sprayed crop). Living an organic lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. Follow my tips here.
4. Align yourself with companies committed to health & safety
I buy all of my family’s personal care & cleaning products from dōTERRA because I share core values with the company’s mission and trust in their testing and transparency. For food and other items I can’t get from dōTERRA, I purchase from our local CSA, Whole Foods and New Leaf grocery stores. It’s not overwhelming at all to find safe food & products when there are only healthy options available from your source!
5. Detox your body regularly
It’s a good idea to aid your body’s natural detoxifying process by drinking plenty of water and moving your body often throughout the day. You can do more thorough detoxing quarterly. See this blog post for more details. (Contact me if you’re interested in following a detox protocol in kits that I can supply for you). Detoxifying your body often is especially important if you’re vaccinating often, using conventional personal care products, and are unable to avoid other toxins.
6. Protect your gut health
Damage gut flora with exposure to toxins and you damage the great majority of your immune system. Read my 2-part series on gut health for more information on how to boost your gut health.
7. Investigate potential toxins in your home, work, & school
Again, please visit the EWG website to know what to look for at home and in the places you’re at often like work and your kid’s school. If you don’t like what you find, you can make easy changes at home. But if it’s at school, don’t worry about being the squeaky wheel. All parents need to know this information!
8. Wash your hands and body after playing on grass
Use safe body wash & soaps to rinse away any pesticides/herbicides that can accumulate on the skin with grass play. You can look up product ingredients on the EWG website.
9. Cook often and pack your own meals for outings
I know, this is more for you to do. I like getting a break from the kitchen here and there too! You have the most control over what you eat if you’re making it yourself though. So if avoiding toxins is important to you, then learning how to cook for your family is a priority.
10. Make your own heath decisions
You can do this! Learn to trust your instincts and educate yourself. I really encourage you to seek answers in many places until you feel confident in what you’ve learned.
Let’s help each other be as healthy as we can be! If you think of something else that I may have missed, please let us know in the comments!
It’s a fact that we have loads of information coming at us from the external world, more than any other time in history. And if you’re an intellectual being, getting wrapped up in thoughts (regardless of whether they’re positive or negative, necessary or not) can keep you from resting or progressing.
Mindfulness and meditation are obvious tools to deal with mind-chatter and purging what’s not immediately helpful, but oftentimes we need an intermediate step, one that is focused on action – not just receptivity and awareness. Journaling is the medium I use daily to inspire, organize, and improve my life for the better.
Journaling can help you too! Here’s how…
5 Ways You Can Benefit From Journaling
1) Clearing mind for sleep
Do you have a hard time falling asleep? Are you recapping the day’s events in your mind or busy planning for tomorrow? It’s best to write this all down before you get in bed so your mind can rest. This is a practice you may want to model for and teach to an older child who may have a hard time adjusting to bedtime as well.
Sometimes you may fall asleep easily from exhaustion but then wake up thinking about something you forgot to do or need to do the next day. If you keep your journal near your bed, it’s easy to sit up, turn on the light, write it down, and go back to sleep. Your mind will be at peace knowing that you took care of the reminder in your notes.
2) Organizing your mind for work
Sometimes a simple to-do list is not enough when needing to tackle important projects. Journaling can help you flesh out the importance and details of teach task. Mind Mapping is a more sophisticated way of creating content and ideas and organizing them into a logical order.
3) Discovering your life’s purpose
Journaling can help you figure out what you’re passionate about. Write down your heart’s desire, your perfect day, how it would feel to contribute to the world as you wish, and how you’d like to be remembered.
If you need more guidance on this, check out:
Speed Dial the Universe Journal by business coach Jeanna Gabellini. There’s a digital version that you can download for a fee.
Practice You journal by yoga teacher Elena Brower. It’s filled with her beautiful watercolor paintings and this message: “Elevating humanity to spark, share and sustain well-being, this journal invites you to know yourself and what nourishes you best. Intended for you to work on with your friends, family, students, and teachers, this is a chance to create a stunning, real map to your highest self.”
4) Recording your evolution
If you are working on something you’re passionate about, keeping a journal is a lovely way to not only organize your tasks, but to watch how you grow and evolve. I’ve been keeping a journal since my Yoga teacher training instructor recommended doing so back in 2001. It’s so interesting to look back on those beginning entries. I have matured in a myriad of ways since that time, but it wouldn’t be so apparent without this baseline to view from.
I continued writing in this journal when I quit teaching yoga to have my son. It became my pregnancy diary, my mothering support guide, my shamanic journey records, my small business planner, my list of business prospects, and what I use to maintain positive mindset as a network marketing professional. This journal has captured important milestones and the work I did to achieve them.
5) Processing emotions
Journaling is a way to vent emotions from the heart and the beliefs that are attached to them. Writing them down is way more powerful than just complaining out loud to someone. When you write down your feelings, there is more space to experience the emotion and what it looks like from the outside. There’s a chance to see the situation that elicited the emotion from a different perspective. We can then write down how we’d like to react differently, how we’d like it to change. It is first-person therapy and super effective.
Ready to Journal?
Simply grab some paper and a pen and write away! Or you can buy a special journal that is beautiful or has some helpful images and text like the ones mentioned above.
Do you keep a journal? How has it benefited your life? We’d love to hear your experience in the comments!
Summer is a favorite season for many people, but it comes with certain challenges. Longer stretches of powerful sunlight, warm-weather pests, and eating unhealthy foods on family vacations are just some of things that can dampen one’s enthusiasm for summer fun. Be prepared with these essential oils for summer challenges to keep your family naturally healthy and happy all season long!
Essential Oil Remedies for Summer Challenges
Bug repellent
Do you have a family member who is a mosquito magnet? That would be me, in my family. So believe me, plant power is safer and equally effective at keeping them at bay than DEET-containing concoctions!
The recipe below incorporates dōTERRA Terrashield, which actually works fabulously on it’s own. The additional oils kick the power up a few notches.
Insect bites & stings
If pests get past your defenses, try these essential oil remedies to soothe the pain, itch, and swelling (from Modern Essentials, 8th edition):
Bee/Wasp/Hornet stings – After removing stinger, apply a cold compress of Roman Chamomile to the area for as long as possible.
Mosquito bites – apply lavender (diluted as recommended in chart at bottom) to the bites every few hours.
Spider bites – Dilute basil as recommended and apply as a cold compress to the area.
Tick bites – Don’t add oils to remove the tick or they may inject their toxin into the wound! Pull out the whole tick out close to the mouth without twisting. It’s wise to save the tick to get it, and the person bitten, examined by your doctor. Apply 1 drop of lavender to the wound every 5 minutes.
Sunburns
For minor sunburns, mix 10 drops of lavender with 1/4 cup water in a small spray bottle. Be sure to shake well so the oil is suspended in solution before spraying over the affected area.
Poison Oak
Though the red color on the “leaves of three” makes this plant more recognizable in the summer, avoiding it can still be tricky when it comes to kids and pets.
Rose, lavender, and Roman chamomile are all indicated for helping to relieve the itch. However, with conditions like this that ooze blisters, sometimes adding oil alone can spread the rash. You may want to look into combining the power of essential oils with a drying calamine lotion, or see an acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist for a drying solution like this one.
Indigestion
Eating heavily processed, greasy, and low quality foods at amusement parks or on the road can lead to an upset stomachs, gas, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea. DōTerra’s DigestZen blend can help immensely with all of these symptoms! Ginger, Fennel and peppermint are the main oils in this blend that help ease discomfort and can regulate the bowels. These oils have also been reported to help relieve food poisoning, stomach bugs, or motion sickness.
You may also consider increasing your whole food supplements to fill in any nutrition gaps, keeping your gut flora happy and your immune system working well while away from home.
Cooling down
Combine 2-3 drops of peppermint with 1/4 cup pure aloe vera and 1/4 cup witch hazel in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist body as needed to cool down which might be especially helpful at night to prevent restless sleep. This solution can also help easy sunburn discomfort.
Do you have any ideas for using essential oils in the Summer? Please let us know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends!
Back in my mid-20’s, when I was beginning to explore natural healing modalities, I attended the Women’s Herbal Symposium in Mendocino County. It was a very memorable experience for many reasons (some of which are not appropriate to mention here!). I remember enjoying the introductory courses in essential oil use & flower essence preparation. I also did their morning Ashtanga yoga practice, which was new to me at the time too. But I left feeling a little unsatisfied because I was not able to get into the seaweed harvesting course they were doing on the coast.
I have longed to collect & study marine algae for decades since then, but never made it a priority. Recently, I discovered that a new friend harvests seaweed every Spring. I jumped at the chance to join her!
What’s the big deal about seaweed?
I LOVE that:
There are many beautiful species
It lives in the ocean (I love all marine life)
Most seaweed is delicious
Seaweed is nutritious, high in many antioxidants & micronutrients (especially iodine which is wonderful to support my thyroid) and is actually high in plant protein
It’s safe to eat as long as the water is not contaminated – seaweed does not absorb toxins (like heavy metals) as much as seafood higher on the food chain (like fish)
There’s plenty of it and at the moment, sustainability is not an issue
So now you know why my son and I got up at 5:30am to drive 2 hours up to the Sonoma Coast to be on the beach at an extreme low tide. (There are beaches closer to us that are appropriate for seaweed harvesting in Pescadero, CA, but our new friends talked us into making this a day full of adventure & new experiences!)
Our eyes took in the huge variety of seaweed exposed and my friend Ellen showed me the ones she preferred eating: nori, Turkish washcloth (that can really be used as a skin exfoliator!), sea lettuce, sea cabbage, bladderwrack, kombu, and iridescent varieties of kelp & marine algae.
Nori Seaweed
Turkish towel seaweed
I balanced on rocks, cutting off what I wanted, eating some while storing the majority in my bag, and making sure to leave the holdfasts (analogous to roots for seaweed).
It actually took me awhile to realize that the slippery pebbles on the rocks were actually baby anemones. They were everywhere!
Baby sea anemones
Adult sea anemone
Our kids explored the tide pools and made “soup” containing mussels & live crabs. They ate their fill of seaweed too.
Tide pool “soup”
After my bag was full (which was probably a mere 2 lbs. – you’re legally able to take 10 lbs. in California), we headed up to Bodega Bay for some lunch, live music, and a game of chess.
It was a full, fun, yet exhausting day. Ideally it’s best to let seaweed dry in the sun, but there was not much sun available when we arrived back home. I decided to use our dehydrator instead. Here’s 1 of the 6 trays that I filled:
Anyone want some seaweed? I’ve been feeling as healthy & happy as ever with this yummy snack on hand.
I am so grateful to Ellen for sharing her passion with me. My education has just begun, and I’m sure it will grow into a passion for me as well. Stay tuned for more harvesting adventures next Spring!
Have you harvested seaweed before? Is marine algae something you’re interested in? Do you have any questions about seaweed harvesting? Please let me know in the comments!
Are you interested in developing a home yoga practice? I have some fabulous home yoga resources in this post that will get you going!
Doing yoga at home does not mean you need to go it alone. Certainly, you’ll want to listen to your body to guide the focus in your practice. Eventually, you can sequence the entire session by yourself. In the meantime, there are plenty of resources to get you started.
Below are the resources I turn to when I’m needing more guidance, inspiration, ideas, and focused attention at home.
Home Yoga Resources
1. Yoga Practice Books
I love learning from books because you can read up on techniques, philosophy, and learn sequencing in your own timing.
This is my favorite yoga book! It’s very therapeutic for women and is appropriate for students of all levels. Like her father B.K.S. Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar is very thorough in her explanation of yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work), and meditation. I recommend this book to ALL women yoga practitioners.
Sparrowe and Walden offer modern health advice in addition to simple yoga asana sequences (particularly Restorative yoga). This book is wonderful for women of all ages and abilities.
For an in-depth understanding of Yoga, this is the book to turn to. It’s heavy in philosophy (there’s even a translation of the Yoga Sutra in the back!), but Desikachar explains it in a way that is easy to comprehend, modern, and practical. The asana sequences are very basic and therapeutic. The style is ViniYoga, which is gentle movement linked with conscious breathing.
Ashtanga Yoga is known for being the most challenging style of Hatha yoga. Though athletic types are attracted to the strong asanas, it’s actually a very deep, ritualistic practice, which is why I’m so drawn to it. David Swenson has a great sense of humor and is very down-to-earth. Even though he presents the whole Primary & Secondary series in his book, he also offers shorter sequences for practitioners to follow. He encourages students to listen to their bodies and to back off whenever necessary.
Sarah Powers is the teacher who has influenced me the most. I learned how to teach Yin Yoga from her and Paul Grilley, I attended many transformational silent retreats with her, and it was actually she who inspired me to get my Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She moved to the East Coast a few years ago, but luckily I can use her book Insight Yoga. This book introduces one to Yin Yoga, Meridian Theory, Yang Yoga, and offers several practice sessions to choose from.
For $18/month (less than the price of one studio class!) YogaGlo gives you unlimited access to classes from some of the best teachers. You can choose your level, body area focus, length of class, style of class, and the teacher you vibe with the best.
For more online classes, check out Yoga International. Their membership fee is $14.99 and you can start with a free 30 day trial. There’s less selection of classes and teachers than YogaGlo, but all of their teachers are highly recognized experts in the yoga community.
Yoga International is also a magazine. With membership, you’ll receive access to articles not only about proper asana alignment and sequencing, but also more information about the philosophy of yoga.
Yoga Journal is the oldest and still the most popular magazine available. You can even find issues at your local library if you want to check a few out without purchasing from a store.
Unlike Yoga International, there is not membership fee required to view Yoga Journal articles online. They have videos too, as well as yoga playlists and other modern features.
For those new to the practice, check out the Yoga 101 section for foundational alignment advice, information on different yoga styles, popular Sanskrit (the language of yoga) terms, and more.
3. Important yoga props
Yoga props can help students practice yoga more safely. If you’re not practicing yoga mindfully, it is easy to push yourself too far and hurt yourself. This is not a problem for beginner students only – yoga injuries are very common and on the rise. Students of all levels can use props to deepen into postures appropriately.
There are many brands of yoga props out there. For good health & longevity, look for props made of safe, sustainable, high quality materials.
Types of Yoga props:
Mats – Sticky mats help to keep you from sliding in postures where hands and feet are spread out. I actually prefer to use a practice rug instead which requires me to recruit deeper muscles for stability. The Jade Harmony yoga mat is one of my favorites.
Blocks – Blocks can be used many different ways and are essential for any practitioner. They can be something to elevate the body on (in seated postures), to act as something to rest on (like a restorative bridge pose with a block under the sacrum), to make certain postures more accessible (like placing your hand down to a block in side angle pose if tight hips are preventing your hand from reaching all the way to the floor), or to create stability (like having one in between your hands with forearm balance). I recommend these blocks by Jade because of their durability and Jade’s commitment to sustainability.
Blankets – Blankets are used to cushion sensitive areas like knees against hard surfaces, but also serve as boosters. For example, in shoulderstand a blanket under the upper back elevates your torso so that the neck is not compressed. In seated postures, having your sit bones on the edge of a blanket allows your legs to relax down easier and opens your hips passively with gravity. These Mexican blankets work great!
Straps – Straps offer stability and also make certain postures more accessible. Staps like this one with metal rings are easy to use.
Bolsters – Bolsters provide a soft surface to rest against, elevated from the floor. They are commonly used in restorative yoga practices. Try this organic cotton one from Lotuscrafts.
4. Tools to enhance your yoga practice
These tools are nice to have as your home practice deepens. You’ll be spending more time investigating your habits, emotions, and intentions, and these items can help you process them.
I frequently use these in my daily home yoga practice:
I hope these resources help you feel more secure and interested in starting your own home yoga practice! You can read this article about the importance of a home yoga practice if you need even more motivation before beginning.
If you found this article helpful, please let us know in the comments! Also feel free to ask ANY questions about how to get started with your personal home yoga practice.
There are so many options for yoga classes these days; in studios, gyms, schools, and even hotels. To be a serious and committed yogi doesn’t mean that you need to be attending a group class regularly though. You might discover that having a consistent home yoga practice is how you’ll fall in love with and increase your commitment to this healing art.
Practicing yoga in a group setting definitely has it’s benefits:
You’re likely to connect with like-minded people in yoga classes
Attending studio events is a great way to build community.
It’s also important to seek out a teacher that you resonate with, who is also accessible to you and the community.
Working with a teacher who gives you feedback and who points out unhelpful habits or imbalances is invaluable.
The energy of group classes can make practicing yoga fun & motivating.
Group classes are wonderful for so many reasons! Yet, they may not be enough to fulfill you.
Here’s 10 reasons why I prefer practicing yoga at home and why I encourage all my students to develop a home practice too.
10 Reasons Why You Should Do A Home Yoga Practice
1. It’s easier to be mindful
Mindfulness is the essence of yoga. It’s an inner process of observation and reflection; a state of being that is more difficult to connect with if there are outside distractions (that inevitably exist in group classes). At home, you have more control over the environment. It’s just you and your thoughts that you have to work with, which is challenging enough!
2. You can practice whatever you want, in your own timing
The pace of group classes is unique to the teacher’s style. Practicing at home, you can choose to stay less time, or longer if you’re like me and enjoy sinking into the experience each asana has to offer.
You can also spend more time in postures that will correct imbalances and do less of the ones that create them.
(For example, with my body, I’m stronger in my upper body to the point where I accumulate too much tension while my lower body is not as strong. I need to ground my energy too, so I’ve been doing sessions mainly of standing and seated postures with just headstand and shoulderstand as my upper-body-focused postures. Then I rest and meditate. I’m feeling much more balanced! It would be much harder to achieve this in a led class.)
3. There’s no self-consciousness or competition
It’s very challenging to practice in a group class without noticing what others are doing. Our minds habitually like to compare ourselves to others. While it’s good to notice and work with these habits, again, it’s just one more distraction. Practicing alone allows you to experience yoga without feeling superior or inferior to anyone.
4. You can create more time to relax deeply
Do you need to insert some restorative postures or extend your final rest in Savasana? You could do them in a group class too, but many people get too caught up with what everyone else is doing and fail to listen to cues from their bodies that are asking for more rest. You’re more likely to honor your body in a home practice.
5. You’ll develop greater discipline and commitment
No doubt, for most people it takes more discipline to adopt a home practice than to attend a group class where people might be expecting you. Your commitment will grow once you see how valuable your personal practice is though. Then, there’s no excuse to not do it! You can take your practice with you on vacation and can alter it when you’re sick. It becomes part of your daily health habits, just like brushing your teeth.
6. You’re likely to progress quicker
As I already mentioned, individualized attention means that you can focus on what you need and how much of it. Therefore, you’re going to see yourself progress much quicker, especially if you’re doing a personal practice everyday.
7. You can make your own schedule
To commit to a home practice, it’s nice to do it at a certain time of the day so you’re less likely to blow it off. I try to do mine early in the morning while my son is still asleep. It feels good to have exercised my body a little and have a bank of mindfulness to pull from for the rest of the day.
8. You’ll model self-care for your children
I know, it’s hard to carve out time to practice when you have young children in the home. Like me, you may prefer to do it early in the morning while they’re sleeping. But, I also enjoy doing a restorative practice at night as well, with my son near by.
It’s very important for kids to see you practicing yoga. You can establish boundaries with them so they learn to respect your time and space. They will see the importance you’re placing on self-care and will teach them a lot about how to care for themselves deeply as well.
9. You can meet & respect your inner teacher
Teachers can help you see certain aspects of yourself that are not apparent, but it always comes back to awareness, opening your mind, and accepting all that you are in order to meet your true self.
With a home practice, you’ll learn to look inside for guidance and trust what comes up. You start looking to yourself for answers instead of assuming that you need permission from others or that others have more wisdom than you. This is absolutely not true! No one knows you as you (can potentially) know yourself. This is precisely why I recommend that my own students have their own practice.
When students lean too heavily on the compassion of the teacher, another aspect of the guru’s nature is revealed. Teachers nurture the disciplines of practice. If our dependency becomes too strong, a teacher will often awaken our practice by stepping back. The Buddha put it very simply when he said, “Light thine own lamp.”
10. You’re more likely to experience Yoga
There are many definitions of Yoga.
It’s the…
…cessation of the fluctuations of the mind (Yoga Sutra)
…yoking or joining together of the many aspects of the Self
…ability to evolve spiritually from where we are now
All are possible, but only when we can commit to being alone with ourselves every day. A home yoga practice is how you can develop this degree of self-love.
In this article, I’m sharing the reasons why I chose doTERRA as my new business!
I know many friends (and maybe you too) are wondering “why is she prioritizing network marketing of essential oils over her main profession as a Licensed Acupuncturist?!”
Good question! It’s not because I have a failing acupuncture practice. I’m lucky to be in a place where I’m able to follow my passions and prioritize happiness. It turns out that my passion is not with building a big acupuncture practice, but with a business that helps me empower people to take charge of their own health.
Why I Chose doTERRA
I was introduced to dōTERRA 2 years ago by my friend Ashley who shares similar deep-rooted values with me. I love and trust her to the core, so I knew she was sharing something special with me. That first experience with dōTERRA essential oils at Ashley’s house turned my attention toward using their oils with my family at home and with clients in my practice.
I never intended to distribute the oils and natural products though. Obviously, I have changed my tune since then!
Here’s the main reasons why I took the plunge to start something new…
1. I love their purity and efficacy
I’ve used essential oils for over 20 years. However, it wasn’t until I started using dōTERRA that I realized the huge difference in quality among different brands. I had no idea that a label of 100% purity on oils at the health food store means nothing, and that they can still be diluted and adulterated.
DōTERRA created their own testing standards called Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade which go beyond the requirement for the Certified Organic label here in the U.S. This purity must be why the oils have been so effective for my family’s health issues. They work well for my acupuncture clients too, and are actually preferred over Chinese herbs to sustain the acupuncture effects in between treatments.
I’ve seen first hand how these oils help clear ear infections, relieve constipation, regulate menstruation, resolve pain, promote restful sleep, and much more.
2. I love their sustainability efforts
Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic compounds derived from plant parts. For just one 15 mL bottle of lavender, about 3 pounds of lavender flowers are needed. You can see that if we’re not careful, producing essential oils can threaten plant populations.
This concern was brought the magazine, Mother Earth Living in Sourcing Sustainable Essential Oils(May/June 2018). The author talked about spikenard, sandalwood, rosewood, atlas cedarwood, and frankincense, which are all endangered species. Then, she suggested one choose brands wisely to ensure they’re using sustainable farming practices. But to my horror recommended that everyone avoid all Multi-Level Marketing oil companies (like the model dōTERRA uses).
Setting the Story Straight
I was really upset with their blanket statement to avoid MLMs because dōTERRA’s sustainable farming practices is one of the major reasons I love them so! Immediately after reading the article, I wrote to the editor, expressing my concerns and how I feel they did not do enough research. I shared the video below on how dōTERRA is managing spikenard production very well and are completely transparent with their farming practices.
I was pleased to get a response just a few days later from the Editor-in-chief, Hannah Kincaid. This is what she had to say:
“Hi Brandy,
Thank you for sharing your perspective with us.
Our intention with this article is to bring awareness around the environmental impact of essential oil production and to encourage our readers to research essential oils thoroughly before purchasing – rather through traditional avenues, MLMs, or otherwise. Young Living is the MLM that we called out by name in the article because of their direct and documented abuse of endangered plant material for profit. I agree with you that doTERRA is world’s better in their policies.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from readers like yourself who are researching their products and the companies they support and are able to bring additional, interesting information to the conversation.”
I remain secure that dōTERRA has the Earth’s back.
3. I love the impact they’re making globally
DōTERRA’s is also committed to Co-Impact Sourcing and their global humanitarian efforts. They build up impoverished communities; provide them with clean water, schools, medical needs, jobs, fair wages, and whatever they need. Much of this is done through their Healing Hands charity which partners with other organizations such as those providing feminine hygiene, micro-credit lending, and combating sex trafficking.
Beginning in 2019, dōTERRA is opening several integrative health centers across the country. They’re providing patients with individualized, proactive care, bridging the gap between modern and alternative medicine. I’m behind this initiative 100%, as I see that these are the missing links in our current approach to health. Over 41,000 people have pre-registered for care at this point. You can register here.
5. I love the business model
You probably see by now why I chose to use doTERRA’s essential oils. But why am I doing the business?
My #1 priority in life right now is raising my son. As a homeschooling mom, I need a business that is adaptable. I want to work flexible hours, have zero overhead, and the potential to make more than what I was in the acupuncture clinic.
DōTERRA provides all of that, in addition to training us how to lead a team of Wellness Advocates who sign on with us as business partners. We actually get to choose who we want to work with!
I have grown tremendously since embarking on this journey. I learned how to communicate better, to be gently persistent with those who really need these oils in their lives, and to let go of my fear of judgement.
I’m still doing acupuncture on a very part-time basis and teaching yoga, but dōTERRA is my main focus. And with both acupuncture and yoga, I integrate the oils for the client’s/student’s experiences as well.
This business fell in my lap and I’m so grateful for the opportunity!
DōTERRA is the best business for me right now! It might fit you well too! Feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to learn about using the oilsor the business opportunity. We should all be doing hat lights us up in life. I can help guide you!
Spring is my favorite season of the year for many reasons. #1 is that I love planting and eating Spring vegetables and fruits!
Right now my garden is still very young, but I’m getting many seasonal foods in my weekly organic CSA and am eager to try out some new meal ideas in the kitchen.
Here’s some recipes I collected that I’m determined to try this weekend! You should try them too, and please let me know what you think!
It’s a good idea to eat a filling breakfast to prime your metabolism and sustain you well until an afternoon lunch. Seasonal fresh berries lighten up this meal and you’ll be getting a huge dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
This salad is a hearty, stand-alone meal! In Spring, we naturally eat lighter foods and have more digestive power to eat colder, raw foods. As long as you don’t have GI issues like bloating, loose stools, or gas (which would indicate that your digestion is not strong enough and you could use help with digestive enzymes or herbs), this is a great Spring meal.
The lean protein, flavored with fennel pollen, lemongrass and seasonal vegetables make this the perfect Spring meal. You can order fennel pollen if you can’t find it in your health food store.
If you can’t find lemongrass either, you can substitute with a drop of lemongrass essential oil to add the flavor to the broth (only Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils that are safe for ingestion). It’s good to have this oil in your toolkit since it has many health benefits, in addition to improving digestion, like toning skin, soothing sore muscles, elevating your mood, and repelling insects.
Of course we need to have new, yummy desserts in our seasonal meal rotation too! For my family, we try to make them a weekly treat though and eat them earlier in the day to avoid insulin spikes and sugar crashes!
Instead of using the lemon extract called for in the recipe, I plan to use lemon essential oil instead since there’s greater health benefits (again, only CPTG oils safe for ingestion).
Are you eager to try one of these recipes? Please let me know about it in the comments and share this article with your friends! Enjoy…
Hurray, it’s Spring! Here in California we have a beautiful display of wild flowers, green grasses, and blossoming trees galore. Unfortunately not everyone can enjoy these gorgeous spectacles. The winds stir up their pollen and many people end up indoors dealing with runny, itchy or congested noses, scratchy throats, and watery eyes from seasonal allergies.
Claritin & Benadryl may be your saviors to get through this season, but then you need to deal with the possible side effects which can be just as miserable as the allergic response (headaches, sleepiness, nervousness, rashes, GI issues, or more serious conditions like jaundice or enlarged prostate glands).
I can tell you from personal experience that you don’t have to choose between seasonal allergy symptoms & drug side effects. I’ve had to deal with a major dust mite allergy and hay fever for most of my childhood & young adult years.
Below is a picture of me in Maine when I was visiting my Father-in-law & his girlfriend in 2008. My sinuses became extremely inflamed when their neighbors cut a field of grass. I remember spending a few days inside, alternating self-acupuncture treatments and clearing my nose with a saline rinse (with the neti pot that I pack on every vacation). I was able to enjoy our visit without a visit to the pharmacy.
This was the last time I remember having ANY allergic reaction and that was 10 years ago.
It was not one thing in particular that helped my body heal. At that time in my life I made a huge shift in diet, supplements, self-care practices, and therapies. If you’re interested in taking a natural approach to managing allergies, you’ll likely need to try a few different approaches.
Here is a list and explanation of the therapies that helped me. I’ve also included a few new ideas that have worked for friends & clients too.
Natural Therapies for Seasonal Allergies
1. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
A Chinese Medicine practitioner may use acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs to work with the root cause of your imbalance. For allergies, there is typically a deficiency in what we call “Wei Qi”, which is the protective energy that is analogous to our immune system. Practitioners will likely work to tonify this energy while also increasing your blood circulation. Treatments will take your time and commitment, but this may be your best chance in resolving your allergies naturally, for good.
2. Use a neti pot or saline rinse
Rinsing your nasal passages regularly is a great way to prevent allergic rhinitis. The rinse removes microorganisms, pollen, dust, excess mucus, and other impurities from the nasal passages. It can reduce discomfort from seasonal allergies and can even shorten the span of the common cold if done in the first few days.
Here’s a helpful video on how to use a neti pot:
3. Eating Local Honey
It’s theorized that consuming local honey helps one to become desensitized to the pollen that is causing an allergic reaction in one’s environment. This study showed that there was a significant reduction in allergic rhinitis symptoms after consuming a high dose of local honey over an 8 week period. Honey is yummy and in my opinion, is worth a shot if you’re trying to heal naturally!
4. Essential Oils
Do you want another reason to love essential oils? They can help immensely with seasonal allergies!
Peppermint supports respiration by unclogging sinuses, soothing scratchy throats and reducing inflammation.
Lemon promotes drainage in lymph tissue, flushes out toxins, boosts immunity, and supports the respiratory system.
Lavender is a natural antihistamine and helps with itching. It’s also calming and reduces inflammation.
Together, these oils are a wonderful blend to keep handy when you’re outdoors and concerned about a reaction. Dilute them in a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil (20-50% dilution) and apply to temples, back of ears, and soles of feet.
DoTERRA’s TriEase Softgels allow you to take these oils internally, which is safe to do daily because of their high purity levels. They provide comfort when seasonal threats are high and help to protect the respiratory system.
5. Heal your gut
The great majority of our immune system resides in the gut in the form of beneficial bacteria. They help to protect our gut lining, increase our immunity by helping to make lymphocytes & other white blood cells, and allow us to digest & absorb nutrients efficiently. So when there is a dysfunction of the immune system, such as seasonal allergies, the gut is the most logical place to make significant changes.
