food

Stress and Naturally Increasing GABA

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A friend schooled me on this recently and I keep going back over the details. Take a peek:

Finding ways to increase GABA naturally to be less stressed out might be an alternative for some people, instead of using medications like benzodiazapines for anxiety.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan are medications commonly prescribed for anxiety issues and other mental health conditions.

One of the reasons these prescription medications are so effective at reducing anxiety is because they are strong GABA activators.

While there is certainly a place for benzodiazepines, especially for patients who struggle with anxiety disorders, they should only be used in the short-term as they can be extremely habit forming, addictive and difficult to quit because of painful symptoms of withdrawal.

Unfortunately, a 2019 study found that the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions in the U.S. increased by about 50 percent between the 10 year period from 2005 to 2015, with most of the prescriptions coming from family physicians.

Some natural ways to increase our GABA include:

  • Cardiovascular exercises like running, brisk walking, swimming, bicycling
  • Yoga and meditation
  • Supplements like green tea, taurine, and magnesium, B6 and zinc
  • Foods like yogurts, citrus fruits, walnuts and almonds, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, lentils, brown rice, shrimp and halibut

I also love the supplement called Adaptiv. The ADPATIV capsules combine specially selected essential oils with clinically studied botanicals to create a powerful soothing, supportive, relaxing formula. Lavender,Coriander, Fennel, and Wild Orange essential oils are included for their mood-boosting and tension-reducing effects. Scelectium, GABA, and Ahiflower are also in the ADAPTIV capsules.

I take one capsule when I am feeling the familiar feelings of stress and anxiousness coming. They also help me sleep well. i actually love the entire line of Adaptiv products all for different reasons and ways to use when life shows up.

Not really sure how botanicals and essentials oil work? Enjoy this free ebook that breaks it down easily.

Thriving Thyroid

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The thyroid, located in the front of the neck, is a small butterfly-shaped organ. It plays a mighty role in your health by producing hormones which travel throughout the body. These hormones regulate our hearts, digestion, muscle control, and equally important, brain development. As a result, you need your thyroid to be performing well to feel well. Did you know that there are many essential oils for thyroid support? 

First let’s look at why the thyroid is so important. Thyroid hormones affect your metabolism rate, which means how fast or slow your brain, heart, muscles, liver, and other parts of your body work. Amazing, Huh?

Paying attention to the language your body is speaking can really give you insight to your thyroid working too fast or too slowly. For example, if you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, you might feel tired and cold. Or, if you have too much thyroid hormone, you might feel nervous, jumpy, and warm. 

The thyroid is controlled by the pituitary gland which oversees thyroid hormone production. Additionally, it tells the thyroid to make more or less according to what the body needs. The pituitary gland is even smaller, about the size of a pea, yet still vitally important to our health. In fact, we can use essential oils for thyroid and pituitary support to keep our body working at it’s best. This blend can support the thyroid in staying balanced and healthy.

The best essential oils for thyroid support are Lemongrass, Myrrh, Clove, Frankincense, Basil and Peppermint. I apply this twice a day.

1. Frankincense – Frankincense, also known as the “King of oils”, is a powerfully supportive oil for the body. Its complex chemistry, coupled with a high ratio of Monoterpenes (25%), make it a multi-purpose oil and a strong support on a cellular and DNA level. Furthermore, Frankincense is calming for the immune and nervous systems, skin and emotions. Combine with Lemongrass, Myrrh and Clove for a daily thyroid support blend .

2. Myrrh – Because Myrrh is very high in Sesquiterpenes (75%), it is a strong support for the thyroid. Sesquiterpenes also stimulate the limbic system, hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. Combine with Clove, Lemongrass and Frankincense for a daily thyroid support blend.

3. Clove – Clove is a powerful antioxidant and immune support for the body. High in phenols which stimulate the immune and nervous system, they further help keep your cells performing well. Combine with Lemongrass, Myrrh and Frankincense for a daily thyroid support blend.

4. Lemongrass – Lemongrass is high in aldehydes (up to 80%). This works to calm the nervous system, relieve stress and promote relaxation while also being uplifting. Combine with Clove, Myrrh and Frankincense for a daily thyroid support blend.

5. Peppermint – Peppermint gives us a natural energy boost. If you’re tired, it’s a wonderful pick-me-up during the day, especially in those late afternoon hours. Try it in a diffuser, put a drop in your hands to inhale or just smell from the bottle. It is also supportive to the thyroid.

Remember, essential oils are so potent that it doesn’t take much to be effective. This roller blend will last about TWO months and each bottle of essential oils is 250 drops! That means you’ll have a long supply of thyroid support, but also the oils in this blend are incredibly versatile and you’ll find TONS of uses for them. 

If you’d like to learn the basics of essential oils, check out this handy guide. It’s super easy to get these oils at wholesale prices, just pop over here or I am happy to make you a thyroid blend to try before you invest!

Contact Me

Purity Testing

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I got to share oils with lots of people today hungry for something to help themselves feel better.

I reminded them that they can get oils anywhere, but can ”anywhere” prove their purity testing? The thing that sold me on doterra was their transparency when it comes to testing.

Grab a bottle…got to sourcetoyou.com and enter in the numbers at the bottom of your bottle. See the testing for yourself.

Your oils don’t have this? ????????????????

(I’d think twice before using them). I’m the meantime, want to learn how and why to use pure essentials? Check out this gorgeous ebook! And, let’s chat!

The Power of Affirmations

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It is amazing to me how our inner narrative about ourselves can be so negative. Years ago I started a pretty solid affirmation practice and continue to this day. By rerouting our thoughts and words to a positive place, we actually retrain our brain to think and see the good in our lives.

Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and truly believe in them, you can start to see positive changes in your life unfold. Practicing positive affirmations can be extremely simple, and all you need to do is pick a phrase and repeat it to yourself.

I don’t know about you, but I have spent many years, speaking things like “I am a mess. I am overwhelmed. I am stressed. I am in so much pain.” I still catch myself and can now rephrase to “I am doing my best. I am handling this with grace. I am feeling my body tell me something”.

Although affirmations require regular practice they can help you to make lasting, long-term changes to the ways that you think and feel.

Do you have a list of affirmations? What’s your favorite one? I love having sticky notes and reminders around my house and I even have an app in my phone that periodically throughout the day sends me an I am_____ reminder of something good.

I encourage you to start a 30 day affirmation practice and see what shows up in your life. Need some help coming up with affirmations? I am happy to help!

Sugar and Gut Health

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Do you know what causes these “warts” all over this pumpkin? ? SUGAR!

They are actually called sugar warts. Sugar builds up inside the pumpkin; it starts to push out of the shell and creates these barnacle-looking blemishes on the surface of the pumpkin. ?

Our skin is exactly the same.

We consume sugar and it feeds the yeast in the digestive tract. That yeast overgrowth emits 79 different toxins, and guess what? It pushes its way out through our skin!!

? The body expresses its toxicity in different ways for different people. Blemishes or irregularities on our skin is one major way! When you solve the problem of yeast overgrowth and balance your sugars, your skin will benefit.

Ever have acne, skin rashes, psoriasis, eczema, hives? Remember, your skin is the largest organ in your body.

Taking care of your gut health directly impacts the health of your skin.

Clean Gut = Clean Skin.

Have you found a great digestive enzyme and pre/probiotic? I have and they have made a tons of difference in my life. Plus walking everyday and loads of water.

Feel free to reach out to me if you would love to try them! And check out this awesome ebook on the supplements that I love.

YOU Are Worth It

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Have you ever felt so uncomfortable in your skin you avoided really ever looking at yourself in the mirror?

Have you ever been so insecure that the thought of being visible scared you?

Have you ever said things to yourself that you would never say about another person?

Have you ever longed to find out why some people just seem to radiate happiness?

Have you ever been so miserable with your health that it felt like you’d never be any different?

Have you ever had so much bottled up emotion that numbing it was your only option?

Have you ever wondered what you are on this Earth to do?

Have you ever listened the quiet inner voice of yourself BEGGING to be let out?

Me too, friend. Me too.

What if I told you that I used to be an angry, bitter, lonely, extremely heavy (in mind, body AND spirit) person that could not be alone with herself for five minutes without some serious negative self-talk? What if I told you I lost over 100 pounds by changing my mindset about myself? What if I told you that I thought the only reason I was born was to struggle and raise my kids? What if I told you that I have been exactly where you are?

What if I told you I learned how to value ME?

Now, what if I told you I could give you some systematic choices and alternatives that are life sustaining and could possibly change all of your answers to the above questions? What if I was in your corner WITH you as you bravely began to navigate across new territory? What if I held the map for you as you take the first few steps? What if I was in your corner to cheer you on and encourage you to live your best self?

Are you ready?

People will drop over $100 per month on lattes and hundreds more on drinking and eating out, yet not want to spend $80 on a gym membership, or hundreds on therapy or a coaching program.

And then they wonder why they don’t feel good or aren’t reaching their goals.

People spend hours scrolling on their phones or watching Netflix and but don’t have enough time to read, meditate or go for a walk.

Your actions show where your priorities are, not your thoughts and ideas.

If you’re having a difficult time making changes to your health, happiness, relationships, business, whatever, take a look at what you’re investing in. Not just with your money, but your energy, time and/or attention.

The more you give to yourself, the more you’ll get back. You deserve to have everything you desire and nobody else is gonna give it to you but YOU.

If you’re worried about the price of getting started, you should see the cost of staying exactly where you are.

We are in the last few months of 2021 and I am offering this package that is worth well over $500 for a deep discount of just $325. Time is limited to grab this deal. This bundle also makes an amazing gift. The awesome thing about this program is some of the content is yours to keep and return to over and over.

  • Two private yoga sessions ($80.00)
  • Assessment and Personalized Wellness plan ($125.00)
  • Two follow up Wellness Sessions  ($80.00)
  • Seven days of Wellness Program to motivate and inspire you ($125.00)
  • One-hour body work/energy session. ($50.00)
  • Crystal and Essential Oil Blend based on you primary wellness goal ($22)
  • Bonus Self-Care Package ($140)
  • Essential Oil consultation (free)

You are SO worth it.

Just send me a message and we can roll up our sleeves and get busy! I cannot wait to work with YOU!

Seasons Change

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A student once told me—choose a path and walk it well.

It is not uncommon that we might feel a slight pull towards a change or shift this time of year. Nature is so obvious in showing us that it is okay to do just that, especially this time of year when we see the trees so effortlessly let go of the season’s growth. Some of us resist that pull, and end up staying stagnant and even miserable, when we could be feeling liberated. Or at the least, we could be aligned with our deepest selves as we welcome in the offering a change may bring.

The season for me is coming to a change as I feel and listen to the pull to welcome in something different. In fact, I have been feeling this nudge for a variety of reasons in the last few months. Part of it is the push to complete some big projects that I have been working on, and the other part of me is listening to the interior landscape of my soul asking me to align my actions with its deepest truth. Add to that some reminders that the Universe is always putting in my path exactly what I need in order to pause, look and learn. And maybe even slow down a bit to refuel.

I realize that there will be some disappointment, much like many of us feel as we watch summer come to an end and we pull out the snow shovels and warm sweaters for the coming months of cold.

I ask you though to feel the disappointment, and then rally around me and my work from the place of curiosity and wonder as I work on some big dreams in the next few months. I also ask for your compassion as I trek across new territory. Walk with me as the landscape changes and together we celebrate what lies ahead.

Know this– seasons come and go. Cycles are here to teach us that everything is temporary and that with each inhale there will be an exhale.

Stay tuned and consider joining me on the path.

The Real Deal

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Think all oils are the same? Think again.

A recent study in the journal of pharmaceutical and biological analysis showed D?TERRA oils to be the gold standard. Compared to 32 other companies , D?TERRA came out on top and 2/3 of those tested were shown to be basically crap—adulterated or synthetic.

Also, our lavender was consistent across batches and batches, over years. Years of consistently PURE lavender. Which is why it smells different and works better.

And this is why hospitals across the globe are turning to PHARMACEUTICAL grade D?TERRA essential oils.

Stop wasting your money and time. This is the real deal.

Ready to jump in? Need more info? Check out this free ebook to dip into a natural mindset.

Garden Beet Caprese

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You either love beets or you do not. Either way, the non-beet lovers just may convert over this one. Nothing tastes more earthy than a fresh from the garden beet.

These powerful little roots are packed with tons of nutrition. Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9) which helps cells grow and function. Folate plays a key role in controlling damage to blood vessels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Beets are naturally high in nitrates, which are turned into nitric oxide in the body. Plus, they may help reduce inflammation in the body. Because these amazing roots are “cool”, in the Ayurveda world they are an excellent choice for reducing the overly hot Pitta that often accumulates in many this time of year. You can check out this post to learn more about Pitta balancing.

Beets come in the traditional deep reddishish purple, but they also come in orange and yellow. Beets contain fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, and are low in calories making it a perfect choice for an elegant appetizer.

Beet Caprese

  • Oven roast the beets until they become soft, about an hour depending on size. Cool the beets and then peel and slice the beets into hefty size coins.
  • Layer softened goat cheese with beet coins making stacks.
  • Simmer one cup balsamic vinegar in a sauce pan until it reduces into a sticky goodness.
  • Drizzle beet stacks with balsamic glaze, top with baby arugula and enjoy!

Benefits of Gardening

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I love to garden.

Beginning my day with an easy stroll through my gardens helps me start my day from a place of quiet groundedness. You might even hear me whisper good wishes to the plants that they have a beautiful day of growth. The first place I go when I am done with work is back to the garden. Being there helps with me unwind after a long day and provides me with a different kind of being productive, but also much needed quiet time.

I have found that not only does spending time with my plants help my stress it also has an array of other benefits.

Planting flowers and vegetables can reap bountiful bouquets and delicious harvests for your dining table. But did you know gardening also can do wonders for your well-being? Here are eight surprising health benefits of gardening. Check this out:

1. Gardening can build self-esteem. 

Maybe you don’t think you were born with a green thumb, but after tilling, planting, nurturing and harvesting plants, you might see a slightly different person in the mirror: a person who can grow things and is a little more in tune with the earth. 

It always feels good to accomplish new tasks, and if you can grow a garden, what can’t you do?

2. Gardening is good for your heart. 

All that digging, planting and weeding burns calories and strengthens your heart. 

“There are physical benefits from doing the manual labor of gardening,” says UNC Health internal medicine physician Robert Hutchins, MD, MPH. “It’s hard work to garden, and it provides some cardiovascular benefit.”

3. Gardening reduces stress.

Gardening can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

“Gardening gives you a chance to focus on something and put your mind to work with a goal and a task in mind,” Dr. Hutchins says, “which is helpful especially now with so much illness and death and talk of death, just to see things growing and things thriving.” 

4. Gardening can make you happy. 

Getting dirt under your nails while digging in the ground can make you pretty happy. In fact, inhaling M. vaccae, a healthy bacteria that lives in soil, can increase levels of serotonin and reduce anxiety. 

5. Gardening can improve your hand strength.  

All that digging, planting and pulling does more than produce plants. Gardening also will increase your hand strength. What a great way to keep your hands and fingers as strong as possible for as long as possible.

6. Gardening is good for the whole family.

Gardening can be a solo activity or an opportunity for bonding with your family and friends. The happiness and stress relief that gardening provides is a great thing to share with loved ones. Also, gardening has special benefits for kids. Early exposure to dirt has been linked to numerous health benefits, from reducing allergies to autoimmune diseases. Plus, when they pull a carrot from the ground for the first time you will see pure happiness and awe.

7. Gardening can give you a boost of vitamin D. 

A healthy dose of vitamin D increases your calcium levels, which benefits your bones and immune system. Exposure to sunlight helped older adults achieve adequate amounts of vitamin D. Just don’t forget your sunscreen.

8. Growing your own food can help you eat healthier. 

If you have a vegetable or herb or fruit garden, you’re getting fresh produce that you know hasn’t been treated with pesticides.

“It’s essentially as farm-to-table as it gets,” Dr. Hutchins says, “if you’re eating what you’re growing.”

Are you ready to start planning next seasons garden?

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