Balms and Manna - Balms and Manna Blog

Tired of Playing Guess and Check with Your Health?

1/12/2023

TIRED OF PLAYING GUESS AND CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTH?

So often when we have a problem, we do what we do best- try to figure it out on our own. Sometimes that's effective and sometimes it's not. When it comes to our health, often it's not just one thing that is causing us to feel bad. It's a multitude of things.

Trial and error is a costly road. We try something for awhile and if we don't see results, we feel like it doesn't work. And it's money that's been spent without getting answers. Maybe it's a piece to the puzzle but there are multiple things that all add up to us not feeling well.

TEST DON'T GUESS

Stop guessing and start testing.

I am excited to now offer a multitude of functional testing options to identify hidden stressors in hormones, immune, digestion, energy, liver health and detoxification.

Together with these specialized tests and a comprehensive personal health assessment, I can help you create a personalized program to address the metabolic chaos and get you on a path of wellness and wholeness!

Smell Good or Feel Good? Or Both!

11/28/2022

Benefits of Diffusing Essential Oils
SMELL GOOD OR FEEL GOOD? OR BOTH!

The Healthy Start Kit is a perfect collection to address 80% of your health concerns and feel good! Includes: Peppermint, Lemon, Tea Tree, Frankincense, Oregano, Lavender, OnGuard, Breathe, Digestzen & Deep Blue

FEELING GOOD- WHICH OILS SHOULD I DIFFUSE?
*Immunity- OnGuard, Breathe, Tea Tree, Oregano, Cinnamon, Thyme

*Emotions- Peace, Cheer, Serenity, Balance, Adaptiv, Forgive, Console, Lavender, Wood oils

*Uplift- Any Citrus, Motivate, Peppermint/Spearmint, Rosemary

*Clean the Air- OnGuard, Purify, Lemon

Place some oils from each of these categories by your diffusers so you have them ready and handy to diffuse when you need a pick me up.

The Aroma Essentials kit is a perfect way to replace toxin candles and artificial fragrances and make your house smell amazing! Includes Peppermint, Balance, Breathe, Wild Orange, OnGuard, Citrus Bloom, Serenity, Cheer, Adaptiv, Northern Escape and the LaLuz Diffuser!

SMELLING GOOD- I WANT MY HOUSE TO SMELL GOOD!
Choose 2-3 oils you like the scent of, open the bottles and hold together and swirl under your nose. If you like the scent, diffuse together, if not, continue to experiment until you find a scent you like.

These are a few of my favorites:

*2 drops each of Rosemary & Spearmint (also supports mental & physical fatigue)

*Oatmeal Cookie- 2 drops each of Cassia, Cedarwood & Wild Orange (calming & supports stress)

*2 drops each Balance, Serenity & Frankincense (so good for stress & anxiousness)

*Seasonal blends- Citrus Bloom, Harvest Spice, Holiday Joy, Northern Escape, Hygge, Island Mint. These are formulated specifically for the scent!

Headaches- What They Are Telling You.

11/14/2022

HEADACHES- WHAT THEY ARE TELLING YOU.

We've all probably had a headache a time or two in our lives. Maybe some more often than others. They can be frustrating, annoying and even sometimes debilitating. But all headaches are our bodies way of communicating that something isn't right.

Let's consider some of the messages our bodies may be communicating to us through headaches.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Hormones
- For females, if headaches are monthly or bi- monthly they can be from imbalances with your hormones. Generally if you have headaches during ovulation or just before getting your period, it's due to a rapid drop in estrogen and is likely linked to an estrogen/progesterone imbalance. Headaches several days after your period starts and with heavy bleeding can be due to low iron.

Stress
- Many headaches are stress related. These are frequently at the base of the neck, shoulders or discomfort in the jaw area. Pausing to see if you are holding tension in these areas can give you an indicator if stress levels are causing tension to build.
- Stress in the form of lack of sleep can also contribute to headaches.

Toxins
- Environmental toxins, chemicals, artificial fragrances or foods that your body is sensitive to can all lead to headaches. When the liver becomes overwhelmed with toxins, it will often alert the body by producing a headache. Keeping a journal of where you spend your day, what you were exposed to and what you ate can help you identify toxins that you are sensitive to so you can eliminate exposures.

Mineral Imbalances
- Magnesium loss and copper & sodium excess can all lead to headaches. A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis can help you identify if mineral imbalance is a factor.

Our bodies are complex and often there is more than one cause for persistent headaches. If these simple suggestions don't get you the results you want, it might be time to dig deeper.

I offer a Personalized Wellness Program that consists of a comprehensive personal health assessment, specialized testing and regular check ins over the course of six month to create a custom wellness plan.

For those of you who are frustrated with the guess and check approach and not getting the results you want, this will give you data to uncover root causes and find a solution that makes a difference!

LEARN MORE HERE

Bye-bye Weight, Brain Fog, Fatigue & Cravings!

10/24/2022

BYE-BYE WEIGHT, BRAIN FOG, FATIGUE & CRAVINGS

Have you ever been suprised to find out how old someone actually was? Maybe because they looked significantly older or younger than their age? Our metabolic age, meaning the rate at which our bodies actually age, isn't always equal to our biological age.

Our metabolic health is responsible for our weight, energy, body composition and cognitive performance. All of these things influences how old we appear to be. The stronger and healthier your metabolic function, the better you will feel from the inside out!

Factors that reflect the state of your metabolic health include blood sugar, blood pressure, lipid types and levels and weight. Only 6.8% of American adults have optimal cardiometabolic health! That means 13 out of every 14 people can benefit from metabolic health support right now.

Meet doTERRA's New MetaPWR System

MetaPWR- (short for metabolic health) meets PWR- Personal Wellness Realized
Helps to optimize metabolism, curbs cravings, sheds excess weight and increases stamina
3 products- MetaPWR Essential Oil blend, MetaPWR Advantage and MetaPWR Assist

A closer look at each product:

MetPWR Essential Oil Blend-

A blend of Lemon, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Ginger & Cinnamon
Scientifically tested to curb cravings & stop fat cell accumulation
Available in multiple forms- beadlets & gum for on the go, softgels for travel and oil to add to water

MetaPWR Advantage-

Includes nine unique forms of marine collagen (more comprehensive collagen support & effectiveness)
Added NMN- which is a powerful molecule that helps with cellular repair, energy & aging
Packed with antioxidants- also support healthy aging and works against inflammation
Improves skin elasticity and firmness
Supports lean muscle and connective tissue
Improves cognitive function
Improves metabolic age

MetaPWR Assist-

Evens out blood sugar spikes and dips throughout the day (constant spikes & dips are hard on the body & contribute to poor functioning cells)
Slows absorption of simple carbs, evening out glucose levels in the blood
Been shown to decrease post meal blood sugar spikes by 45% when taken with your meal
More steady blood sugar equals consistent energy levels!
Includes Berberine, Mulberry Leaf extract & MetaPWR Essential Oil blend

My Testimony
After using these products for just two weeks, I noticed:

Significantly firmer, more elastic and toned skin everywhere on my body
Clearer thinking, more motivation and less distractible thoughts
Less inches!
A more positive outlook, emotional capacity and steady emotions

If you are looking for less brain fog, more energy, less weight, stable blood sugar levels, less cravings, better sleep then you likely need some metabolic support!

The MetaPWR system comes in a kit for $179 and includes a free 1-year wholesale membership (25% off) for new customers through December of 2022! For existing customers, the MetaPWR kit is available through LRP orders. Check it out here!

I Want to Learn More about MetaPWR!

A Simple Guide to Buying Healthy Eggs

10/12/2022

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO BUYING HEALTHY EGGS

Buying eggs used to be simple, right? Just decide which size you wanted and that's it! Now when you go to the grocery store, there are so many choices- cage free, omega-3 eggs, pastured eggs, organic eggs, vegetarian feed eggs and conventional eggs.

It can feel overwhelming to know what the difference is, if it really matters and if it's just a marketing tactic. Here's a guide to make buying eggs simple!

Kinds of Eggs

Conventional eggs- These are the most inexpensive eggs on the market. They come from chickens who are confined to cages, don't have access to the outdoors and are fed enriched grain feed.
Cage Free- These are eggs that come from chickens that live in barns and are free to run around but don't have access to the outdoors. They are typically feed an enriched grain diet and what ever they find on the barn floor.
Omega- 3 eggs- Omega-3 is naturally found in eggs. Eggs that are omega-3 enriched are fed a diet that is supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, typically flaxseed. These are generally conventional eggs with an increased amout of omega-3. But check your label for the amounts and types of omegas. They should contain both EPA and DHA forms of omegas and in much higher levels that conventional eggs.
Pastured eggs- Pastured chickens are ones that are raised on pasture and grass. They are kept outdoors based on the weather and put in shelters to protect them from predators.
Organic eggs- Organic eggs come from chickens that are raised in a barn but have access to the outdoors and are feed organic feed
Vegetarian feed eggs- These are eggs that come from chicken that are feed a diet of grains and are usually conventional eggs unless otherwise specified. A typical diet of chickens consistents of worms, bugs, seeds and plants.

Which Eggs are the Best Eggs to Buy?

Choosing and buying eggs will be determined by availability and what fits in your budget.

Pastured Eggs- Find a local farmer who allows their chickens to roam around the pasture. The best way to find this is to check with your local farmers market. Talking with the farmer will help you know exactly how the chickens are raised and what they are fed.
Organic/ cage free eggs- This is the next best option. This will ensure that your eggs come from chickens that have some access to the outdoors and have natural forage as part of their diet.

You can always tell how healthy and nutrient rich the egg is by the color and richness of the yolk. Omega enriched or vegetarian eggs don't necessarily mean a more quality egg and isn't necessarily worth the investment.

Just choose the best option that is available to you and know that eating eggs, even if the quality isn't perfect is better than toast for breakfast any day!

Say Goodbye to 80% of Your Health Concerns

9/19/2022

SAY GOODBYE TO 80% OF YOUR HEALTH CONCERNS

Use Lavender to help your family sleep. Place a drop in the palm of your hand, rub it together and then rub on your pillow before bed. It will not only help them go to sleep, but also stay asleep.

Lavender and Tea Tree can be used to help when your eyes are pink.

Tea Tree is very effective to treat an occasional skin blemish. Just dab it on the infected area.

Peppermint and Lavender can be used together to help relieve head tension & open your sinuses.

Lavender can be used to calm itching from bites or after sun and occasional cuts and bruises.

Use a mixture of 10 drops each Peppermint and Deep Blue and fill a roller bottle the remaining way with Fractionated Coconut Oil. This combo has a wonderful, powerful cooling effect on head tension that is a little worse than typical head tension.

Oregano can be rubbed on the bottoms of feet (use a carrier oil– it’s a hot oil) to help occasional sickness. This is powerful for immunity!

DigestZen can be used to help digestive function. 3 drops in a veggie cap or in water, once a day.

Use Lemon & Tea Tree for simple, but very effective household cleaners. Add 10 drops to water and put in a spray bottle.

On Guard supports your body when you don’t feel good and creates a healthy strong immune system so you don’t get sick to start with. It can be used topically, internally or diffused.

Breathe has been known to help clear the sinuses, ease snoring, and clear congestion.

Deep Blue relieves muscle strain after workouts or any muscle/joint discomfort.

Frankincense does anything all the other oils do. Add a drop with all oil applications to boost the effectiveness of the oils.

Peppermint is a great breath freshener and a natural stimulant. Try 1 drop in water or in your palms and inhale the next time you get drowsy when driving.

A few drops of Lemon in water daily promotes regularity with bowels, detox and energy.

Taking two drops each of Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint in a veggie cap each day can help with occasional seasonal allergies.

Next time you have a head congestion take a shower or bath and add 1-2 drops of Peppermint to the water/on the bottom of the shower floor. Add Lavender & Peppermint to bath water for a refreshing after sun relief bath.

With 10 basic essential oils, you can address 80% of your families health concerns. Not only does that save you money from doctor and emergency room visits but it saves you so much time! Essential oils work within minutes and it only takes one drop per application!

The Healthy Start Kit comes with 10 basic essential oils and a diffuser to get you started saving time and money! This month (September 2022) purchase the kit, next month spend 100 pv (or roughly $100) and next month get 50 pv (or $50 in free products)! Contact me for how to get this deal.

3 Steps to Uncover Root Causes for Hair Loss

9/5/2022

3 STEPS TO UNCOVER ROOT CAUSES FOR HAIR LOSS

Hair loss is a real thing. And it's becoming more and more common. And for women, this can be a big concern.

Hair loss/thinning is a complicated thing. There is no easy, one solution. But I can help guide you through steps to help identify your root causes for hair loss.

1- Nutrition
Hair growth isn't essential so if you aren't getting enough nutrition, that contributes to hair loss. Insufficient amounts of protein can be a frequent contributor. It's good to calculate how many calories, fats, proteins and carbs you individually need and see if you are eating enough. Contact me for an easy way to calculate your nutrition.

You also need essential vitamins and minerals for hair growth. Copper, Vitamin A, E, C, B's Magnesium, Iodine and Sodium are some of the most important. Supplementing with a good multi vitamin is essential. My recommendation is doTERRA's Lifelong Vitality Pack.

2- Hormones
Androgens, estrogen, progesterone and thyroid levels all impact hair growth. Imbalances in these will create less energy, can increase stress and cause the body to not prioritize hair health. Contact me for more information about where your hormone levels are.

3- Stress
When we are stress, our bodies require more calories and carbohydrates for energy. Stress impacts our cortisol levels which can increase estrogen, decrease our minerals, decrease progesterone and impact thyroid and hair follicle health

Basic Recommendations

Eat enough, supplement well & balance your minerals.
Check your hormone levels- contact me for more info
Focus on stress management
Topical support- Use a boar or mixed bristle brush and do a Morocco massage, do a hair detox with bentonite clay & apple cider vinegar
Use Nettle Tea - topical or internal.
Add 10-15 drops of Rosemary essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner

*Bentonite clay, Apple cider vinegar, Nettle tea and the Lifelong vitality pack are all available at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury.

Contact Me for More Support with Hair Loss

Make Essential Oil Use Simple!

8/18/2022

Make Essential Oil Use Simple!

I know getting started with essential oils can feel overwhelming! I remember that feeling when I started my essential oil journey. There seemed to be so many uses for the oils and I wondered if it would ever be simple and easy.

I want to assure you that it can be simple! All you need is three things- a box of oils, a reference book to guide you and and a desire to learn.

An essential oil reference book is a wealth of information and the best place to start!

Each oil is listed with it's properties, top uses and how to use it.
You can also look up an health condition to get recommendations of oils to use for each condition.
Detailed information about application methods (topical, aromatic, diffusing)
Info about dilution, quality & oil classifications
Lots of recipes
Safety and storage

The Essential Life and Modern Essentials are my favorite two reference books! The Modern Essentials is great for beginners. The Essential Life has more chemistry, biology and in depth info. They are both available at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury or on Amazon.

Another great way to learn is to receive my weekly one minute essential oil tips via email/text. You'll get tips, recipes, deals, class offerings and education about oils in small tiny chunks to make it easy and fun to learn!

Sign Me Up for Your Weekly Tips!

Caffeine- Good or Bad?

8/3/2022

CAFFEINE- GOOD OR BAD?

Who of us doesn't have days that we are dragging and just want a boost of energy? Energy drinks, coffee, chocolate, tea and sodas are an easy fix when we are tired to get us through the day but is caffeine good for us?

HOW IT WORKS
Caffeine works by inhibiting a neurotransmitter called adenosine which calms down activity in the nervous system. And by doing this it increases the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters. After about ten days, the effect wears off and your body creates more receptor sites for adenosine so you need more caffeine to get the same effects. This creates addiction and why caffeine can be considered a drug.

This is why people who stop caffeine have withdrawl symptoms like fatigue, headache & feeling depressed (caffeine also effects dopamine, seratonin and acetylcholine). It takes about ten days for the body to adjust the amount of adenosine receptor sites back down.

Excessive caffeine consumption can include a risk of osteoporosis (caffeine depletes calcium), rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, anxiousness, irritiability, cold sweats, loss of appetite, nausea & diarrhea.

Your body only has so much energy. When you do use caffeine, you aren't creating more energy, you are pulling energy out of the cells at a faster rate and then creating an energy crash later once your energy stores are delepted. So over time, you are making the problem worse.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
If you really want more energy, stop using caffeine and help your body build up it's energy reserves. Most often fatigue is due to a lack of nutrients and minerals. Try adrenal cocktails to replenish minerals, Lifelong Vitality Pack for a great foundation of nutrients, adaptogens like Nervous Fatigue, Tulsi and Ashwagandha to support the body's stress response.

Adrenal Cocktail Recipes

Lemonade Bar- A Fun Way to Celebrate Friends!

7/21/2022

LEMONADE BAR- A FUN WAY TO CELEBRATE FRIENDS!

In the heat of summer, what is better than a refreshing cool drink? Maybe a refreshing drink with a friend!

Lemonade Bar's are a fun way to customize and try a new version of lemonade! And a simple but creative way to make guests feel special!

What you need:

Prepared Lemonade (see my recipe with honey below)
Fresh fruit- raspberries, strawberries, lemons, limes
Toothpicks for adding oils
Basil essential oil (great with raspberries)
Lavender essential oil
Geranium essential oil
Ginger essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil
Lime essential oil

Directions:
Pour lemonade (8 oz per person) into glasses. Allow guests to add fruit and dip a toothpick into the center of desired orrfice (plastic top on essential oil bottle) and swirl in lemonade. Add additional oil dips to desired taste.

Homemade Lemonade
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup raw honey
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 cups cold water
2 drops Lemon essential oil

Let boiling water sit for five minutes to cool and then add raw honey. Stir in lemon juice, cold water and essential oils. Enjoy!