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Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural pain relief, Natural Sleep Support, Supplements, Women's health

This Is Why I Recommend Copaiba Over CBD
Copaiba essential oil vs. CBD

When it comes to managing modern health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions, it’s best to take a natural approach. People now realize how dangerous it can be to become dependent on pain killers and mood-altering drugs. Cannabidiol (CBD), is a popular natural solution, but the lesser-known Copaiba essential oil is even better in my opinion. Here’s why I think it’s a clear winner when people are considering Copaiba essential oil vs. CBD for holistic health.

Why Focus on the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system has only been studied in depth over the last decade. Scientists discovered that there’s a nexus of cannabinoid receptors on cells throughout the entire body that interact with cannabinoids and can be key in managing disease. So far, they recognize two types of receptors.

CB1 receptors reside in the brain and link with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. This explains the “high” that someone experiences when they use it.

CB2 receptors cover cells everywhere else in the body. They receive two cannabinoids: Cannabidiol (CBD) which is also derived from Cannabis sativa and beta-caryophyllene which is largely present in Copaiba essential oil (also in black pepper, clove, melissa, and rosemary essential oils, but in a smaller amount) . CB2 receptors support the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems and are responsible for healthy inflammatory response.  

CB2 activation does not create a psychoactive experience like CB1 receptors, so one becomes very relaxed but not “high”.

Many of our health issues these days are due to stress, or too much time spent in a sympathetic nervous system state (flight or flight) as opposed to the parasympathetic state (rest and digest). We also have issues with lowered immunity or auto-immunity. Then there’s pain and inflammation that have many causes. CBD and beta-caryophyllene from Copaiba essential oil both create beneficial systemic effects that help manage symptoms of these health challenges and increase our body’s capacity to heal.

Efficacy of Copaiba Essential Oil vs. CBD

One of the reasons Copaiba sets itself apart from CBD is that it’s cannabinoid binds directly to CB2 receptors! Beta-caryophyllene is quickly available for the body and has a long half-life, meaning it lasts long in the body.

CBD, on the other hand, binds indirectly after several internal processes, which means it takes longer to provide symptom relief. The longer activation cascade of CBD also make dosage confusing because the amount of CBD that’s activated is not always consistent. CBD has a shorter half-life than Copaiba’s beta-caryophyllene

Generally, a smaller amount of high-quality Copaiba essential oil is needed for beneficial effects compared to CBD. You get what you pay for in both industries. But even the more expensive therapeutic-grade brands are still a less expensive option than CBD because of the dose difference.

Research Supporting Copaiba Essential Oil

Exciting research shows that Copaiba essential oil can help with many health challenges!

Check out these studies to learn more:

How to Use Copaiba Essential Oil

Here’s some ideas of how you can use Copaiba essential oil for holistic health at home.

Aromatic

Place a few drops in a water diffuser to relax your mood. It blends well aromatically with Lavender, Douglas Fir, Frankincense, Peppermint, Clary Sage, and many other essential oils.

Topical

Combine 3-5 drops of Copaiba with 1 oz. of carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil and massage into target areas of the body.

Another fabulous benefit of Copaiba is that it enhances the effects of other essential oils. Try these powerful combinations:

  • Blend with Deep Blue to massage into any painful or inflamed regions of the body
  • Add into moisturizer along with Geranium and Frankincense to care for blemished, dry, or wrinkled skin
  • Massage into soles of feet along with Vetiver to support deeper sleep.

Internal

Take 1-2 drops of therapeutic-grade Copaiba essential oil under tongue or in a vegetable capsule with olive oil to access all of it’s health benefits.

Have you used Copaiba essential oil? Please share your experience in the comments! I’d especially love to hear if you’ve been able to compare it to CBD. Which do you prefer? Well wishes to you…

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Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Meditation, Natural pain relief, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Personal Development, Pregnancy, Women's health

Why Float Therapy May Be The Best Holistic Practice For You
float therapy benefits

Want to release stress, dissolve tension, and spark your creative juices?  Float therapy in a sensory deprivation tank can bring you all of that as well as deep peace of mind!  I highly recommend it and here’s why…

Float therapy has been popularized by athletes, celebrities, and other influencers who want to condition both their bodies and their minds.  This is something we all can be striving for though!

Yes, there are several modalities that can do that too: the mindful movement of Yoga, the energetics of Taichi or Qigong, skilled massage, and of course Meditation.  However, these methods are not attractive or accessible for everyone (like my dear husband!).   I believe floating is a happy medium, where most people can experience peace without feeling like they need to learn special skills.

What is Float Therapy?

I had a vague idea of what floating was when Anna from Insight Float invited me to try out their services.  I knew it involved two of my favorite things – water and relaxation – so of course I quickly accepted!

When booking my appointment on the website, I learned that Insight Float has two different sized tanks.  Each of them provide two very different experiences.  Rumi, the larger, custom-made one, is best for pregnant women and athletic recovery.  Lilly Pad, the standard tank, is best for people who want to feel more grounded and is best for those experiencing anxiety.  I decided to book Rumi, just to make sure I had enough space to move.

At my appointment, I was warmly welcomed by Sarah.  She gave me a thorough 10 minute orientation about the floating experience that quickly turned my fear into fascination.

The float tanks are filled with 10 inches of body-temperature water, in which 1200 lbs. of epsom salts have been dissolved. The salt water matches the pressure inside the body, allowing one to float and feel perfectly balanced.

My Experience with Sensory Deprivation

I entered the water with nothing on.  My legs effortlessly floated up, allowing me to rest back suspended by the warm water.  I had brought in a floating light, but turned it off after a few minutes once I started relaxing.

The sound of my breath was amplified in the silent space.  I stretched out my inhalations and doubled the length of my exhalations, making a conscious effort to let go of tension. 

I became distracted as I started noticing pain in my upper back and neck.  With my arms above my head, the tightness in between my shoulder blades quickly dissolved, but the pain in my neck became more pronounced and pinpointed.  For about 10 minutes I fidgeted, massaged, and wondered if I’d ever get comfortable (not unlike my struggle with seated meditation!) 

There was a shift when I realized I was spending too much time focusing on discomfort. I was saying to myself, “this would be perfect if only I didn’t have this pain in my neck.” Once I acknowledge this, I went back to my breath, knowing that I could still appreciate this simple moment regardless of tension. I don’t know how much time had passed, but when I brought awareness back to my neck, there was no more pain!

From that moment on, which was about 30 minutes into my session, I slipped into the deepest meditation since before I had my son (back when I’d go on silent 5-day retreats!).

Soft music ended my session.  As I sat up, I almost started to cry.  I had tapped into something really big here, not just for myself, but for my family, friends, and clients.  I wanted everyone to know about this therapy and it’s possibilities for healing!

My First Appointment at Insight Float

Benefits of Float Therapy

I felt grounded, clear, and confident for days after my first float therapy session. There are even more benefits of floating than what I experienced though! Here’s a list of possible effects that sensory deprivation in a float tank can create:

  • Clarity of mind
  • Reduced pain and inflammation
  • Relaxed muscles
  • Balanced emotions & improved mood
  • Flow of creative thoughts
  • Relief from pregnancy symptoms (swelling, pain, agitation, etc.)
  • Clear skin
  • Regulation of blood pressure
  • Improved immunity
  • Deeper sleep

What do you think?  Are you up for trying float therapy too?  I’d love to hear about your experience once you do!  Please let us all know in the comments.

Well wishes to you…

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Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Kids Health, Natural pain relief, Organic lifestyle, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Why Is Everyone So Excited About Essential Oils?
excited about essential oils

There was a time in American history when essential oils were only used by traditional healers, massage therapists, and subculture flower children. But now, we have modern families, business owners, and even medical doctors using them in their homes and professions.  Why is everyone so excited about essential oils these days?

Here are 5 reasons why I believe essential oils are back to stay! After reading them, you may decide to incorporate them into your lifestyle too!

Why essential oils popular?

1. We need alternative healthcare

Essential oil knowledge was lost when modern medicine became popular in the United States. This is because people used to think Western medicine was more evolved, and therefore should have greater respect. Some innovations, like life-saving surgeries and fertility procedures are truly miraculous.  However, this standard of care is only focused on palliative measures.  It doesn’t address the root cause of health imbalances. We need and expect more.

We’re realizing that Western Medicine is not making us healthier. We are wising up and asking:

WHY is this happening to me?

WHAT does my body need to be healthier?

HOW can I maintain health?

Nature, traditional medicines, alternative health practitioners, and your own intuition are the best guides.

Essential oils are gifts from nature that help support physiological functions, improve mood, control infections, and thereby add to our health.

2. Essential oils are effective alternatives to toxic products

We are living in a toxic soup that triggers many health problems in our population. Visit EWG.org to learn more about pesticides, herbicides, antibacterial agents, and other threats in our environment. They’re still legal in the U.S., even they disrupt hormones, destroy gut flora, decrease immunity, and cause cancer. Therefore, it’s up to manufacturers to remove them from their products or up to consumers to stop buying them.

Essential oils can clean our homes and bodies. Many families make their own home and personal care products using essential oils. There’s also some trusted companies who provide ready-made products using essential oils.  These are safe and effective replacements to toxic conventional products found on grocery store shelves.

3. Essential oils have been used effectively for thousands of years

Did you know essential oils have been used from the beginning of history? Ancient Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations prized them for their beauty enhancing, spiritual, and therapeutic value. So even though they are new to Americans, that’s not so in the rest of the world.

Our culture is starting to respect older modalities like my profession of Chinese Medicine, as well as using Essential Oils. I would not call it a trend.  Americans are just now seeing what has always been around – an awakening of sorts!

4. People want to feel empowered & resourceful with health choices

Many people these days don’t believe that “doctors know best”. It’s important to have a health practitioner as a guide or for a different perspective.  However, most people have the awareness to know when they’re well or not though, and whether it’s an emergency. They know how to research and experiment with natural remedies and determine if they’re working.

Moms in particular, want to trust their instincts more.  They want to be resourceful and feel empowered with their choices, just as our ancestors were. They know their children better than anyone else! It’s easy for them to use essential oils and they’re accepted well by their children. Experience shows them that essential oils work well to manage illness in the family and to boost their health.

5. There’s tons of research to support essential oil efficacy

Each year, hundreds of research studies validate essential oil efficacy. Here are just a few that show essential oils can improve one’s health naturally:

  1. Protective essential oil attenuates influenza virus infection: An in vitro study in MDCK cells
  2. The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  3. The effects of preoperative aromatherapy massage on anxiety and sleep quality of colorectal surgery patients: A randomized controlled study

Certainly, the excitement behind essential oil use is backed by a compelling need! Do you want to try them out too? Visit my natural products page for more information on the oils I recommend. With over 20+ years of experience using them, I can help answer any questions you have as well!

Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Gut Health, Kids Health, Personal Development, Women's health

What Does it Mean to be Healthy?
indicators of good health
What does it mean to be healthy?

With my work-life centered around health and wellness, this is a question that I ponder often.

Health is not just normal range vital signs, Body Mass Index, and blood tests.   Sure, physical exams with your Medical Doctor are important to rule out serious conditions! But even The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) define health broadly as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not just the absence of sickness or frailty.“

Are You Really “Well”?

“Well-being” has more to do with how one feels and less about a number on some test. But I would also challenge that it’s not simply a personal perspective. I’m often surprised that some people conclude they are healthy when it’s a fact that they are sick often or suffer with chronic conditions like allergies, eczema, colitis, asthma, or are in constant pain.

For some people, “well-being” could be an acceptance of these chronic issues. They are so common in our culture, they don’t stand out as being abnormal.  Some people don’t realize their condition can be improved, which may increase their acceptance of it. Or, there might be a reluctance to acknowledge poor health if major lifestyle changes are necessary.

Wellness is something that we must always be striving for.  This is especially true when we’re challenged with so many social and environmental factors that threaten our holistic health.

Wellness is Not Perfection

Below are the markers that I look for when assessing health, besides what your medical doctor would tell you. And no, I am not in perfect health either. I’m an Acupuncturist with a thyroid disease in remission and a Yoga Teacher who is technically overweight (emotional eating is definitely involved!).

Even though I’m very comfortable in my skin, I’m not resigned to settle where I am. I’m constantly moving toward being the healthiest version of myself so I can share my solutions with others who strive to do the same.

Indications of Good Physical Health

  • Clear skin – Acne and rashes often indicate hormonal imbalance and point to poor gut health and possible food intolerance as the culprit.
  • Daily well-formed bowel movements – Again, we look at poor gut health when stools are either too hard & infrequent, or too loose.
  • Good muscle tone – Skinny does not equal healthy!  Having a low BMI does not mean that you’re in ideal physical shape. In addition to a lower fat percentage, having good muscle tone is important to support the joints in your spine and limbs so you maintain good posture and stay free of injury as you age.
  • Flexible joints – Being able to sit on the floor comfortably and touch your toes from a standing position are good indicators of sufficient flexibility.
  • Having 2 or less colds/year without any secondary infections – If you’re constantly getting sick or you’re ending up with ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia after catching a cold or flu, then there is much room for improving your immunity (gut health) through a better diet, nutritional supplementation, detoxifying your body, and managing stress.
  • Sound sleep – Being able to fall asleep easily and stay asleep is not just a good indicator of physical health, but mental & emotional well-being too. Physical tension, hormonal issues, and indigestion can keep you awake, but so can pensiveness, anger, and regret.
  • Physical ease – Pain is always an indication of inflammation and that your body needs help. In Chinese Medicine, pain is the result of Qi (life energy) and Blood stagnation, that can be caused by injury, muscle imbalance, inappropriate diet, stress, too much/too little activity, and much more…
  • Regular menstrual cycles – Absence of flow, scanty flow, heavy flow, short cycles (less than 25 days), long cycles (more than 31 days), and pain all indicate a disharmony from a Traditional Chinese Medical perspective.  A regular menstrual cycle and proper egg development are responsible for fertility, so extremely important indicators of health.

Indications of Good Emotional Health

  • Resilience – This is harder for kids and definitely comes with maturity. Being emotionally resilient means that you bounce back quickly when challenged by difficult circumstances & stressful situations.
  • Compassion and empathy – Can you understand and feel the pain of others? Can you put yourself in their shoes?
  • Emotional expression – We can express our feelings to resolve conflict and process emotions. At the same time we don’t dump our feelings on people when it’s not necessary or welcome. The appropriateness of emotional expression in situations is what makes it healthy or not.
  • Gratitude and forgiveness – Both of these feelings help us appreciate our life and also help us to move on and build hope about the future.

Indications of Good Mental Health

  • Focus – Are you able to organize your mind and follow through on tasks without overwhelm?
  • Perspective – It’s important to see a situation from another perspective and understand someone else’s point of view.
  • Ability to establish new beliefs – Rigid thinking can lead to cynicism, depression, antisocial behavior, and poor health in general. It’s healthy to have an open mind and consider new possibilities. We should be able to back off or change course when we notice that a certain activity/habit is negatively affecting our health and relationships with others.

We all have something we can be working on to move toward better health. All of the indicators on this list can be improved. 

What do YOU consider to be healthy? What could you add to this list? Is there anything I mention that you’d like to challenge? I’d love to have this discussion in the comments!
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Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Whole Food Diet

Practical Dietary Advice For Healthy & Happy Kids
healthy kids diet advice

Taking care of kids in this day and age can be tough, especially when it comes to healthy eating! If we didn’t grow up eating wholesome food, we may not know where to start. However, it is possible to learn the basics of holistic nutrition, even if you were raised on processed food (as I was). In this article, I offer you some practical dietary advice for healthy kids.

Kids Eat Real Food!

Kids need REAL food to grow and thrive. The biggest pet peeve of mine is the assumption that kid & adult food is different and that they will only eat processed food. Of course mac n’cheese, chicken nuggets, and pizza are acceptable to most kids if you buy into that logic and that’s all you feed them. These manufactured meals offer tons of calories, but very little nutritional value. A child raised on this diet is likely to become overweight but at the same time be severely malnourished.

The increase in chronic disease and health challenges of children in this country are largely do to nutrient deficiencies, poor digestion, and toxic overload (also lack of exercise, sleep, and play).

It takes more time and persistence, but continually offering your child real homemade food is the most loving thing you can do for them. I understand the challenge. Some kids are very picky and their tastes continually change. But it’s still wise to be persistent in offering them a variety of whole food, knowing that they will one day make better choices.

My son still doesn’t eat kale and spinach (unless they’re in smoothies), but he will eat broccoli, peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. And now that he’s a reasonable 8 year old, we’re able to get him to eat even more veggies in an Asian stir fry or noodle dish. You need to be persistent and continue to model what a healthy diet looks like and your kids will come around eventually!

Dietary Advice For Healthy Kids

Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrates are the basic macrobiotics for balanced nutrition.

If you are under the impression that fat is bad, I’m sorry, but you have been greatly misled by our government and the American Heart Association. Read The One Surprising Thing You Need To Add To Your Diet to learn about why good quality fat is essential for our health and why you should reconsider it’s worth.

Basic dietary guidelines/macrobiotics by age:

healthy kids diet advice

~ Complex carbohydrates should consist of mostly organic vegetables and fruits in a 2:1 ratio with no more than 3 servings of whole grains per day. Try seasonal vegetables & fruits, oatmeal, rice, polenta, and buckwheat.

~ Protein should be organic and sourced naturally. Animal sources contain the highest amount of protein per serving. Make sure the animals were fed organic food diets without hormones or processed feeds. Try organic grass fed beef, organic chicken, wild caught salmon, organic whole fat yogurt, organic eggs, nuts and nut butter, and beans/lentils.

~ Fat is the main source of energy for infants from breastmilk. It continues to be important for a child’s brain to develop as they start to explore different foods. Try avocados and their oil, coconut and it’s oil or milk, flax oil, olives and their oil, egg yolk, organic butter, organic nuts & butters, and deep sea fish.

You don’t need to be super strict about the percentages of each macrobiotic, but just be sure that each group is represented and that your child is eating lots of vegetables, protein, and plenty of natural fat.

Dietary Supplements for Kids

Vitamins and minerals are the micronutrients that we all need for our cells to function at their optimum. Unfortunately, farming practices in this country have severely depleted the soil. Even organic fruits and vegetables do not have the nutrients they once did decades ago. Either we need to grow 100% of our food, making sure to feed the soil continuously through organic fertilizers & composting, or we need to supplement.

Choosing supplements can be challenging. A good place to start is visiting your local health food store and speaking to a clerk who has experience using the supplements. My son currently takes dōTERRA’s A2Z chewable multivitamin and IQ Mega Omega-3 oil (he actually asks to have his fish oil everyday!)

Gut Health Basics

Kids love kombucha

My son admiring our homegrown kombucha

I’ve already written about gut health extensively, so revisit these articles to understand what damages gut health (more than most people realize!) and how you can get it back on track. It’s the basis of strong immunity, so an aspect of nutrition you don’t want to ignore!

Improve Your Family’s Gut Health, part 1

Improve Your Family’s Gut Health, part 2

Ideally, try to add fermented vegetables to your child’s meals 1-2 times per day. Pickled cucumbers and carrots, yogurt with no added sugar (add in bananas for the sweetness), and kombucha are usually well accepted. I also suggest supplementing with a probiotic. My son loves dōTERRA’s PB Assist Jr.

I hope these suggestions are clear and get you off to a good start! If you need more help, please post in the comments or reach out to me personally with questions.

You can also revisit these blog posts:

What Does It Mean To Be Healthy?

A Simple Guide To An Organic Lifestyle

3 Quick, Healthy Breakfasts That Will Set You Up For Success

And here’s my favorite websites for kids’ nutrition that will give you even more guidance:

Nourishing Meals – Alyssa Sergersten

Weelicious – Catherine McCord

Weston A. Price Foundation – Children’s Health

——–

References:

Children’s Health Technique Seminar, Annette Schippel, DC & Doris Kutz-Compton, DC, July 22-23, 2017

Do you have any dietary advice for healthy kids that would benefit other parents?  Please let us know in the comments!

Well wishes to you all…

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Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Gut Health, Personal Development, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Women's health

Do You Need An Attitude Adjustment?
attitude adjustment emotional health

Do you need an attitude adjustment?

I think we all do. Our attitudes to life affect our emotions, and many of us don’t see the connection between our emotions and general health.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotions and our vital energy (Qi) are the bridge between our physical and spiritual well-being. We know that many physical diseases actually have an emotional imbalances at the root.

In Yoga, we investigate the emotions in deeper meditative practices to create inner harmony.  In turn, we create physical ease. This gives space for the mind to open up to profound spiritual experiences, connecting us to others, and to the beauty of life in general.

Insight from these Eastern practices is desperately needed here in the West where:

  • psychotherapy is still considered “quackery” to some
  • we complain endlessly about our health, circumstances, & politics, yet don’t take action to improve situations or try new approaches
  • we like to place blame for our misfortune
  • many have poverty consciousness and an unhealthy relationship with money
  • sarcasm and cynicism are considered funny and cool personality traits
  • stress and busyness are valued and intimately linked to our self-worth

How Our Attitudes Create Stress, Disease, and Disconnection

Much of our attention on health is with diet and physical health.  You may have the cleanest diet, and yet, if you’re caught up in the rat race, your body’s stress response can keep you in the sympathetic “fight or flight” mode.  This emotional imbalance increases adrenaline, cortisol, and other stress hormones.  They flood your system, lowering beneficial gut bacteria populations, and proper immune response.

This can lead to:

  • chronic pain
  • recurrent illnesses
  • poor sleep
  • gastric distress
  • allergies
  • high blood pressure
  • heart disease
  • unintentional weight gain
  • unintentional weight loss
  • depression/anxiety
  • memory problems
  • low libido
  • fertility issues

Stress is relative and is a personal habitual reaction to stimuli. We can all be in the same traffic jam, yet have a different response because of our different inner attitudes and awareness of how we’re reacting.

“An emotion in excess, an inappropriate reaction, a self-destructive passion, an emotional response out of proportion to a situation, or a single automatic habitual response to many different life events all can be signs that the human being has lost his or her capacity for harmonious reactivity.”

– Ted J. Kaptchuk, O.M.D. from The Web That Has No Weaver

Manic elation, worry, sadness, anger, and fear are all normal in the human landscape. But if we hold them in, allow them to fester, or even let them become a major part of our personality, they can create disease from the TCM perspective.

Sun Si-miao (590-682 C.E.), a great physician of the Tang dynasty wrote that people suffer illness “because they do not have love in their life and are not cherished.” I think this notion is still relevant today, but that it’s self-love that’s lacking in many people and we have a hard time cherishing our own body, mind, and spirit which causes suffering.

How Do You Change Your Attitude and Achieve Health?

Yoga, Meditation, and TCM are wonderful ways to work with the energy of emotions to help one heal on all levels, but the person receiving still needs to participate.

If you’re laying on the table receiving acupuncture, you’re yielding to the treatment, trusting that energy is flowing where it needs to.  Following the treatment plan provided by your practitioner is also a way you’re participating in your health by adapting to a positive lifestyle change.

In a yoga class, you’re working with a personal intention, paying attention to emotional cues that are linked with your breathing, and not just going through the physical motions.

Participating in your emotional well-being means that we adjust our inner attitude to breed:

  • Positivity
  • Hope
  • Trust
  • Curiosity
  • Equanimity
  • Joy
  • Insight

These are the “higher vibrations” we were referring to in Chakra Meditation: Radiate Out What You Want To Attract.

Adopting a Positive Attitude is a Conscious Choice

If we’re constantly evaluating how we’re feeling and pause often before reacting, we can see how we have some control over the outcome. We can then take responsibility for that outcome.

I just want to share a personal example here to drive my point home…

Yesterday I had the most amazing morning.

After sleeping in, I meditated and expressed gratitude for one more day of life. I took my son to a playgroup at the beach while I worked at a café a little down the road. It was a productive, yet relaxed day. On the way home, my son and I had some lovely conversations. I vowed to myself that I was going to keep this content feeling going throughout the day.

So later on when I discovered that a bird had crapped all over the side of my car, or when I had to deal with disorganized parking at gymnastics, and then with slow traffic on the way home from that, I did not take any of it personally. I did not take on any physical tension.

Today was a different story.

I had to wake early to get ready to teach a yoga class. People were expecting me to be on time and to be creative. I snapped at my son a few times as I was trying to get him out the door. Tension started to build in my body because I wasn’t feeling prepared for class. Luckily, there was some residue from my brief meditation that made me pause. I remembered the day before and knew that it was possible to stay calm again, even though I had more obligations. As long as I stayed calm, I knew creativity would spring from that.

Sure enough, I taught a pretty good class and the rest of the day went well too!

So believe me, you can experience more health and joy in your life if you make the conscious choice. Meditation, Yoga, TCM, psychotherapy, hypnotism, and aromatherapy can all give us a greater perspective on our emotions, inner attitudes, energy, and holistic health. They help us see more clearly how we need to change to release limited beliefs that keep us sick and disconnected.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all had this awareness? The change in that direction starts with you…

If you enjoyed this article, please share with your friends!  I’d love to engage with you in the comments as well.  Best wishes to you…
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Chronic Disease, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Toxin-free living, Women's health

6 Easy Ways To Detox At Home

Detoxifying your body may seem like all the rage these days!   But what does it mean to detox and why is it so necessary?  And how do you detox at home?

The liver is the organ that processes the body’s hormonal and metabolic waste as well as toxins.   A toxin is anything that stresses the body and decreases health.  Examples of toxins are pesticides and sugar in our food, phthalates in skin products, and sodium laurel sulfate in hair products.  Then, there’s chlorine & fluoride added to our city water, pollutants in the air, plastics, metals, pharmaceutical medications, etc.

The liver is aided by our excretory system and toxins are expelled through our sweat, urine, and bowel movements. This is an awesomely efficient system, except when the liver gets overwhelmed and sluggish. Typically, our bowels slow down and we experience constipation, weight gain, and inflammation.  Subsequently, skin rashes and acne may result from this GI tract congestion.

What are other signs that your body needs to cleanse? Take this questionnaire to find out.

We are more challenged than ever with environmental toxins.  Therefore, it’s nice to give the liver some extra support a few times a year with a thorough cleanse.

There are several whole food diet programs that help reduce the load on the liver and clear out all the excretory organs. However, many of these programs are quite challenging to stick with.

Fortunately, there are many changes you can make at home to help your body detox easily every day. Here’s how…

6 Ways To Detox At Home

1. Avoid Toxins!

Of course, it’s better to avoid toxins as much as you can.  Here are the things you want to look out for and change if possible.

  • Adopt an organic lifestyle to avoid pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  • Stop eating sugary, processed, packaged, and fast food made with trans fat.
  • Avoid eating and drinking from plastics, cooking with aluminum foil and teflon, wearing fire retardants in clothes, burning candles and other synthetics substances, etc., whenever possible.
  • Switch to natural beauty products that meet the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep criteria.
  • Avoid pharmaceutical medications and seek out natural alternatives from a holistic health practitioners.
  • Get home water and air filters.

2. Drink a few glasses of water first thing in the morning

Encourage peristalsis and get the bowels moving with a nice big flush of room temperature water.  If you add lemon and a splash of apple cider vinegar,  you’ll stimulate the liver and gall bladder to increase digestive function.

3. Load up on vegetables and fruits

Nature provides the best detoxing program! Just about every fruit and vegetable can support the liver and bowels in eliminating toxins.  However, some work better than others:

Top 10 Foods for Detoxing

Just make sure that they you’re eating organic produce or you’re missing the point!

4. Sweat it out

Saunas, steam showers, and hot baths have numerous therapeutic qualities. Releasing toxins is one of them.

In one study, samples were collected from 20 individuals (10 “healthy” and 10 with known health problems). “BPA (bisphenol-A from plastics) was found to differing degrees in each of blood, urine, and sweat. In 16 of 20 participants, BPA was identified in sweat, even in some individuals with no BPA detected in their serum or urine samples.”

5. Essential oils

Applying essential oils topically is an easy way to support organ detoxification.  Place a few drops on the liver area (right side of lower rib cage) and the soles of the feet (where there are numerous reflexology points) .

The oils below have antioxidant effects, support organ cleansing, and make up the dōTERRA Zendocrine Detoxification Blend:

6. Epsom salt baths

Soaking in an epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) bath pulls out heavy metals and other toxins through our porous skin. Dr. Axe suggests adding 2 cups of epsom salt to hot/very warm bath water and soak for 40 minutes.   (20 min. to purge toxins + 20 min. to replenish magnesium which helps with sleep & digestion!).

If you’re needing a detox, adopting one or more of these practices at home is a good place to start!

Do you have experience cleansing with one of these techniques? How did it work for you? Anything else to suggest? Let us know in the comments!

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Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Thyroid Health, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Powerful Natural Solutions For My Hypothyroid Disease
natural solutions hypothyroid disease

Do you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or Hypothyroidism?  Did your doctor tell you to take prescription thyroid medications for the rest of your life?  Me too, but I trusted my body more than I did my doctor’s advice.  I proved to myself and others that it is possible to heal.  Read on to learn more about my powerful natural solutions for hypothyroid disease that you might want to try too!

I’m passionate about alternative medicine and whole food nutrition. They offer great support and healing potential to people with chronic disease.

I’ve talked briefly about my wellness journey in previous posts.  I’m slowly regaining thyroid function after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism over a decade ago. I want to share the details of my story now since the time feels right.

If you suffer from thyroid disease too, you may want to know what’s possible for you too.  You’re not doomed to a lifetime of thyroid hormone replacement.  You can address the root cause of the disease instead, and be an active participant in your body’s healing process.

Before we get to possible solutions, let me explain how I got here…

My Inflammatory Beginning

I’m one of the 20 million Americans currently living with thyroid disease.  I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks thyroid tissue. However, I’m also one of the many people who are placing their disease in remission and regaining thyroid function.

I’ve read many stories of people who were diagnosed with hypothyroidism after experiencing debilitating fatigue, depression, brain fog, hair loss, weight gain, and constipation.  My case was not that obvious or severe.

I complained to my M.D. about my inability to lose weight even with exercise and dieting. I had sluggish digestion too, but not enough to cause discomfort. On a hunch, my M.D. palpated my neck and noticed that my thyroid was enlarged. He then suggested we do a thyroid panel blood test.

Indeed, my thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroid hormone (T4) were within range.  However,  Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies were elevated to 101 IU/mL, confirming the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

He had no explanation for why this happened.  This inflammation would eventually destroy my thyroid tissue.  It would lower T4 and increase TSH hormones.   Levothyroxine (synthetic T4) is an easy fix for this. I got my prescription and that was that.

Searching For Natural Solutions to Hypothyroid Disease

Shortly after my diagnosis, I made the decision to quit my job in Biotech and get my Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I had a more relaxed schedule and enjoyed what I was doing.  Life was good.

But then I started to question:

How could I be an effective alternative medicine practitioner if I could not heal myself?

I depended on a pharmaceutical product that simply put my thyroid gland to sleep.  Inflammation was the root cause of my condition.  Simply replacing thyroid hormone didn’t feel right.

My condition puzzled my Chinese Medicine teachers. This was over 10 years ago. Our clinic was just starting to notice the increase in Hashimoto’s patients.  We didn’t have a common TCM diagnosis amongst us. My teachers didn’t want to advise me not to take my prescribed medications either. I would get regular acupuncture, which I’m sure helped.  Levothyroxine was still keeping my thyroid asleep though, so full recovery wasn’t possible yet.

Experimenting With Possible Causes and Natural Solutions for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

  • I started drinking filtered water since it’s a fact that fluoride suppresses thyroid function.

  • Since there’s an association between gluten and Hashimoto’s (as well as other autoimmune diseases), I took gluten out of my diet ~4 years ago.

  • I started taking probiotics and eating fermented foods because I finally realized the importance of gut health.  

  • Once I decided to use food to gain my health back, I went off my thyroid medication so I could easily gauge thyroid function.  My thyroid was functioning better with improved symptoms (less inflammation and some weight loss).  I confirmed this with occasional blood tests.

  • I knew that food intolerances can contribute to Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases, so I went on an elimination diet .  Immediately, I dropped 10 pounds quickly.

  • After exploring GAPS, SCD, and Ketogenic diets, I managed well on a low-carbohydrate Primal diet. My digestion was not perfect, but was the best it had been in years.

  • A whole food supplement program supported my thyroid and general circulation.

  • I altered my exercise routine, sticking with a daily moderate-level yoga practice and gentle hiking (no more running, swimming, or jump roping, which all seemed to stress my adrenals).

  • I continued with acupuncture treatment on myself and working with other practitioners, but honestly, I did not do it as regularly as I would’ve liked.

My last blood test was 8 months ago.  Even though my TSH and TPO antibodies still on the high side, they’re now considered within range. Symptoms and how one feels are way more important than numbers on tests though. I still have a few extra pounds of water weight, cold hands & feet, and will occasionally miss a bowel movement here and there.  I know there is more work to do.

New Dietary Approach for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

Recently, I came across an intriguing article in GOOP featuring the “Medical Medium” Anthony William and his theory about Hashimoto’s thyroiditis & other autoimmune diseases and the Epstein-Barr virus.

I have his book now, Medical Medium Thyroid Healing (rated 5 stars with 500+ reviews on Amazon!).  I resonated with this book immediately and it gave me renewed hope. He’s knows a great deal about how bodies work & respond to the environment, toxins, and pathogens. He is sure to be criticized though, because his knowledge was not obtained through scientific methods. Instead, he received this wisdom from Spirit.

Standard health care has no answers at this point, so there’s nothing to lose in trying this out! Anthony William’s main message is a good one.  Our bodies ARE WORKING HARD for us to attack an elusive virus.  The body is not confused and self-destructive after all.

How to Continue Healing My Body 

I know I can overcome this illness with the help of immune boosting foods and avoiding the foods and toxins that feed the virus. This new knowledge has also strengthened my resolve to bring acupuncture back in as one of my main tools.  I know how effective it is at managing other viral diseases.

I’m only a few weeks into this new protocol. My predictable, effortless  bowel movements, more toned abdomen, adjusted appetite, and great craving for vegetables are telling me that it’s working!

Please tell me your story in the comments!  I’m happy to answer any questions you have too. I am an expert in my own health.  I can offer you support as you become an expert in your health as well!

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Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Kids Health, Thyroid Health, Whole Food Diet, Women's health

How To Add More Gut Healthy Gelatin To Your Diet

The benefits of gelatin have been known for quite awhile in cultures where traditional diets are prevalent and respected.

But if you’re like me and grew up in the suburbs on popular processed foods, your only exposure to this super nutritious food is in the form of sugary Jell-O brand gelatin. (It was actually an obsession of mine for quite a while – I even had a Jell-O recipe book as a tween!)

Gelatin could be the missing link to restore your health, so it’s important for us to become familiar with it’s many benefits and ways to include it into our diet (besides eating boxed Jell-O).

The Benefits of Gelatin

Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen, which resides in the skin, bones, and connective tissue of animals. You know, the parts of the animal that we tend to throw out in our culture!

Are you aware of these important benefits of gelatin (and collagen)?

So if you’re dealing with any inflammatory disease, GI issues, or you’re simply wanting to age well, adding gelatin to your diet will do wonders!

I know that the idea of eating animal skin, bones, and cartilage is unappetizing to many people, but there are simple ways to make it more appealing. I’m happy to share a few simple ways I add gelatin to my family’s diet, below.

This might be a harder sell if you’re vegetarian though, even if you are aware of the benefits. I get that. I shared with you all in this post how I was a vegetarian for over a decade and it was during that time that I developed a leaky gut and a chronic autoimmune disease. Of course now I wonder if I would have continued eating meat, or at least isolated gelatin or collagen, if my disease could have been prevented.

How to Include More Gelatin in Your Diet Without Disgusting Your Family

1. Use Powdered Gelatin

This is the easiest way to incorporate gelatin into your diet because it blends so well into many dishes that your family would normally eat. And if you’re vegetarian and depending on your reasons for this lifestyle, perhaps you might be okay with using this form of gelatin.

I use Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin in our home. Go ahead and add it to:

  • Hot breakfast cereal

  • Warm fruit sauce for pancakes

  • Pasta sauce

  • Soups & stews

  • Gravy

  • Smoothies & shakes

Also, you can use powdered gelatin to make nutritious snacks and desserts like pudding, pies, and gummies. Here are some wonderful recipes you might want to try using powdered gelatin:

Paleo Strawberry Pie

Gut Healing Gummies

Homemade Jello

2. Bone broth

Bone broth can easily be made from any animal bones. It’s also super economical and nutritous because it releases essential minerals like magnesium and calcium.

Our freezer is always stocked with either beef, chicken, or duck bone broth. Here’s what you can do with it:

  • Drink it alone

  • Use it as a soup or stew base

  • Add it to smoothies and shakes

  • Use it as the base (water portion) when making rice

  • Use in gravy or other sauces

Food Foundation’s Jessica Campbell has a simple recipe and great How-to video here: Beef Bone Broth

3. Eat collagen-containing meat parts

This may be the more challenging option if you find gelatin unappetizing. But after making bone broth, you may want to try actually eating the meat that falls off the bones. It typically has a lot of nourishing fat with it and tastes great in stews, soups, gravy, and mixed with rice or vegetables.

I hope you can agree now that gelatin is a very beneficial protein that can easily be added to your family’s diet!

Do you currently incorporate gelatin into your family’s meals? Please let us know in the comments, especially if you have any tips!

Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Supplements, Women's health

Is Extra Vitamin C A Reliable Key To Good Health?

Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is necessary for most of us to experience optimum health.  Read on to learn about the benefits of Vitamin C in particular, and why more is needed in certain situations to sustain health.

Are you bracing yourself for the slew of illnesses sure to come as we start to transition toward cooler weather in Autumn? Or are you taking action to prevent illness? 

In my experience, a natural approach of eating an organic whole food diet, lowering stress, and avoiding toxins is more effective than just relying on an annual flu shot. Adding more Vitamin C-rich foods into your diet or supplementing with sodium ascorbate can be an effective treatment if you do get sick. .

What are the benefits of Vitamin C and why is it so unique?

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient that has the following roles in the body:

Anti-oxidant

It’s an electron donor that repairs oxidative damage from…

  • Stress (any type – physical, emotional, etc.)
  • UV radiation
  • Microbes, infections
  • Other chemicals such as chlorine)

Anti-histamine

It helps to manage allergic responses to…

  • Food
  • Insect bites
  • Seasonal threats
  • Pollutants

Enyme co-factor for…

  • Collagen (healthy skin elasticity)
  • Neurotransmitters (brain & motor function)
  • Growth and fertility hormones
  • Carnitine (energy metabolism)
  • Iron absorption

Other benefits

Though Vitamin C is so important for humans, it’s interesting that we’re not able to synthesize it from glucose in the liver like the majority of other animals. (Even though we all have the gene for the needed enzyme, it doesn’t work for some reason). We rely exclusively on food sources for our entire supply of Vitamin C.

Can I get Vitamin C from whole foods or do I need to supplement?

It’s always best to get vitamins and minerals from our food, but we need to make sure we’re getting enough in our diet. It’s also important to know that any form of stress can cause oxidative damage to our bodies and use up our Vitamin C reserves quickly.  Examples of stress may include emotional overwhelm, environmental toxins, too much sun, too much sugar, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, taking recreational drugs and eating pesticide-laden food. 

 

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The U.S. RDA for Vitamin C is 75mg/day for females, 90mg/day for males. But many physicians are realizing that these amounts are the minimum to prevent scurvy and are far from what is suggested to achieve optimum health. Much of our population is deficient in Vitamin C.

Suzanne Humpries, M.D. and Her Vitamin C Suggestions

Suzanne Humphries, M.D. is an expert in the study of Vitamin C and is quite famous in the Alternative Medicine field for her high-dose Vitamin C protocol for Pertussis.

For healthy, stress-free, people who eat lots of organic fresh produce and have minimal toxin exposure, Humphries suggests they take 200-1000mg/day. Higher doses are necessary when traveling, dealing with oxidative stress, when chronically ill, and even with constipation (a sign, she says, of Vitamin C deficiency).

I highly recommend that anyone wanting to learn more about Vitamin C watch Suzanne’s video below, especially if you’re a health practitioner. Much of what I’ve referenced here is in this video:

What form of Vitamin C is best in a supplement?

If supplementation is necessary, taking buffered sodium ascorbate is the next best idea to vitamin C-rich food. The presence of sodium helps with absorption. Even though some portion is not absorbed completely and is excreted in urine, it is better than nothing!

In my family, we strive to eat tons of Vitamin C rich foods. We also use Source Naturals Vitamin C – sodium ascorbate crystals – when high doses are necessary. I give my son Garden of Life Vitamin C Spray after swimming. And he gets a nice dose in his kids multivitamin.

Are there any risks to taking Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is completely non-toxic. The LD-50 is much greater (and therefore less toxic) than table salt (4X), aspirin (60X), and caffeine (62X).

Kidney stones are a concern with Vitamin C supplementation, but have only been reported in older men who were totally dehydrated. Kidney stones have not been reported in women. Good urine output is needed to prevent stones in general, so it’s always a good idea to stay hydrated.

So, is Vitamin C a reliable key to good health? The answer is “YES”! I hope you have a better understanding of Vitamin C’s vital role in maintaining wellness and how it can be used to treat you effectively when sick.

Do you emphasize Vitamin C consumption in your family’s wellness routine? With food or supplements? Let us know in the comments!

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BrandyFalconLAc

Brandy Falcon, L.Ac., E-RYT