Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

Adrenal Cocktails-Tasty and Nourishing!

3/13/2023

ADRENAL COCKTAILS- TASTY AND NOURISHING

The adrenal glands are two small glands located just above the kidneys. They play a huge role in our bodies. Specifically with our stress response, metabolic function, hormone regulation and blood pressure and fluid levels.

One way to keep our adrenals functioning well is to consume minerals in the right ratios.

ADRENAL COCKTAILS
Adrenal cocktails are simple, refreshing and designed to provide the body with the right balance of sodium, potassium and vitamin C to give the adrenals a boost and support your overall stress response. If you are concerned with the carb content, add 1 Tbsp of collagen.

*Ideal time to drink cocktails are mid-morning and mid-afternoon

BASIC ADRENAL COCKTAIL
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (avoid additives- should just be orange juice)
¼ tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp real salt

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #2
1 cup coconut water
¼ tsp real salt
½ fresh squeezed lime or lemon or ¼ tsp whole food vitamin C powder

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #3
½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (avoid additives- should just be orange juice)
½ cup coconut water (avoid any with ascorbic acid)
¼ tsp real salt

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #4 (for those with throat/gut irritation)
2 oz aloe vera juice (inner leaf)
2-4 oz grapefruit juice
¼ tsp real salt
2-4 oz sparkling water

ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE #5 (for high blood sugar)
1 cup water
¼ tsp real salt
¼ tsp cream of tartar
1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice (not from concentrate)
1 Tbsp collagen

Curious if your adrenals need support or if your minerals are imbalance?

Schedule a discovery call to learn more about specialized testing today!

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

Hormone Challenges? Uncover the Root Cause!

8/30/2021

Hormone Challenges? Uncover the Root Cause!

Are you tired of feeling yucky and searching for answers to fix your hormone challenges? Has your journey been full of trial and error and sorting through the many voices out there? I know how frustrating this can be!

Everyone deserves to have someone who listens, cares and is trustworthy to guide them to answers and results! I am here to teach, educate and support you to have the health you desire.

One of the major root causes for hormone imbalances is mineral deficiencies. Minerals are the spark plugs of our bodies. They make our cells run and are the foundation on which our body works. Because so much of the endocrine system depends on minerals, when you have better mineral balance you have better functioning hormones.

An HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) is a functional test that shows stored minerals in the tissue and reveals excess or deficiencies of both macro and micro minerals.

The difference between a HTMA and a blood lab test is that a blood test only shows levels circulating in the blood where a HTMA shows what is stored. Often excess minerals are stored in the tissues to protect our bodies from excess levels.

Why get an HTMA? Because it gives you information about:

Liver Problems
Fatigue and Adrenal Dysfunction
Thyroid Issues
Blood Sugar Imbalances
Hormonal Challenges
Reactivity to Stress
Digestive Problems
Heavy Metal Toxicity

Why I love this test:

Easy & non-invasive
Affordable
One of the best foundations to begin hormone balance
Provides so much information

How it works:

Collect a very small sample of scalp hair which is mailed to the lab
Schedule a consultation with me to review the results (the effectiveness of the test is highly dependent upon correct interpretation of the results)
Create a individualized plan including recipes, diet suggestions and lifestyle recommendations

CONTACT ME TO GET STARTED

]Happy Hormones? It's possible!

5/14/2021

It IS possible to have happy hormones! Yes, I know many of you are thinking that you have been dealing with this for years but it is possible! And not just by masking the issues but by really getting to the root causes.

What it requires is a holistic approach to your hormones with a focus on these areas. Using these, I have been able to help myself and my clients find balance with their hormones. All it takes is a commitment to your health and proper coaching along the way.

Sleep- This is when the body detoxes, heals and recharges. If you aren't sleeping well, your body can't do what it needs to do.

Stress- Stress is a huge player with hormones. You can do all the other things right but if you don't manage your stress, you won't be able to achieve the results you want.

Improve Gut Health- This is where it all starts. If you aren't absorbing nutrients or your gut is inflamed, it's hard to make progress with your hormones

Balance Blood Sugar- Insulin plays a key role in hormone levels as well as weight management.

Reduce Toxins- Many toxins are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interrupt the hormone function in our bodies. It's essential to remove them from your body and your environment.

Nutrition- If your body doesn't have the minerals and vitamins it needs, the body systems can't function like they should. Nutrients are the building blocks for hormone function and production.

Would you like to get started with me to change your hormones? I offer several options for coaching you with your health.

3 month plan- A Whole Body Reset

Establish a nutritional foundation
30 day cleanse
Create a personalized plan for lifestyle and diet

6 month plan- Personalized Wellness Plan

Testing, physical assessment and health history

Address root causes
Establish mutual goals
Monthly coaching sessions
Allows time to create new habits

Chat With Me to Learn More!

Make Your Hormones Happy!

5/14/2021

Today I would like to share about some of my favorite essential oils to support hormones. While hormones is a broad and complex topic and effects so many areas of our lives, I'll give you a few tips for where to begin.

Stress- Yes, our hormones are responsible for our stress levels. And how we manage stress effects our hormone health.

Basil- supports physical, emotional and mental fatigue
Balance- supports anxious feelings, emotional swings, stress and enhances mediation
Bergamot- promotes feelings of being worthy and supports all areas of stress (emotional, physical, chemical, mental)

Sleep- Our sleep is regulated by our hormones and when we get deep, restful sleep it balances our hormones!

Serenity- calms fears, nervousness, anger, irritability & agitation and promotes restful sleep
Peace- promotes feelings of calmness, peace, reassurance and contentment
Lavender- is calming, soothing and great for helping children and babies sleep better

Weight- There are many factors to consider with weight but curbing cravings is a great place to begin!

Slim & Sassy- promotes increased metabolism, curbs cravings, promotes blood sugar balance
Grapefruit- promotes weight loss, curbs sugar cravings, encourages release of excess fluid
Cinnamon- promotes blood sugar balance

Menstrual Cycle Regulation- This is what most of us think of when we think of hormones- progesterone, estrogen and testosterone balance.

Clary Calm- promotes hormone balance, eases PMS, calms cramping, and supports regulation of flow, balances mood and hot flashes.
Grapefruit, Thyme- promotes healthy progesterone levels
Fennel- promotes healthy estrogen levels and healthy ovaries
Ginger- promotes healthy menstruation and eases cramping
Clary Sage- promotes healthy estrogen levels, after baby hormone balancing, promotes labor, eases occasional hot flashes

As women, hormones affect all aspects of our daily lives. And when they are out of whack, we feel less than optimal. But the good news is, you don't have to live like that! That's my passion!

If you are tired of feeling run down, moody, carrying extra weight or not sleeping, I would love to connect with you and help you discover what needs supported and balanced in your life! Together we will do some testing to see where you are at, create a personal plan and some lifestyle changes that will make all the difference in the world for you!

Sign up now to start your journey to feeling amazing!

Stress. Who of Us Can Say We Don't Have Any?

9/4/2020

Whew! Does anyone else feel like the last six months have pushed you to the edge? I have! As we have all faced so many changes, uncertainty and fear, our bodies have felt it too!

Stress isn't just something we deal with. It's the major cause of most health problems! We probably all know that stress isn't good for us and we should do something to manage it but what should we do?

Sometimes our stress is obvious but are there times where our bodies are stressed that we don't even realize it? Our body constantly gives us signals to tell us what it needs. We just have to listen. Stress can be manifested by:

weight gain- especially in the belly area
headaches
sleep disturbances
depression
irritability
insulin dependency
sugar cravings
fatigue
feeling overwhelmed
heart palpitations
digestive discomfort
hormone imbalances

As I've felt the impacts of increased stress in the last few months, I've had to increase my stress management skills. These are a few my favorite go-tos:

Avoid sugar and eat whole foods
Exercise daily
Journal and take time to be still!
Supplement with magnesium, B-Complex, Nervous Fatigue and Ashwaganda (all available at the Country Cupboard)
Sleep 7-8 hours every night

If you give your body what it needs, it will heal itself! Do yourself a favor and give your body some self care!

Adaptiv. What We All Have to be Right Now

5/15/2020

Adaptiv is a new blend that doTERRA came out with last fall. Little did doTERRA know how much we would need this oil in six months! It's become my purse buddy and goes with me everywhere I go!

Adaptiv helps your body adjust to stress by supporting healthy cortisol levels. What that means is, it helps you to:
*Sleep better
*Feel less anxious
*Sustain attention
*Ease irritability
*Improve energy

It has a fresh but calming scent with Wild Orange, Lavender, Copaiba, Spearmint, Magnolia, Rosemary, Neroli, and Sweetgum oils in the blend.

*To use- Roll on wrist or back of the neck or diffuse 2-3 drops to ease tension and stress. Learn more here.

Dealing with Chronic Stress

2/8/2019

Did you know that prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue?

Our adrenal glands are responsible for producing and secreting steroid hormones like cortisol, estrogen and testosterone. These hormones affect every tissue and organ in your body but also effect the way you think and feel. The primary function of the adrenal glands are to help your body deal with stress.

When you are chronically stressed, you can fatigue and depress your adrenal glands leading you to feel like this:

Trouble sleeping
Irritable
Feeling wired but tired
Muscle tension
Feeling run down, overwhelmed and exhausted
Dark circles under eyes
Sugar and carborhydate cravings
Weight gain
Light headness
Hair loss

Nervous Fatigue has been personally helpful with reducing the effects of chronic stress and is my go-to recommendation for anyone who is feeling wired but tired! Vitamin B6 can also be very helpful to support your sleep cycles, mood and brain function!

Nervous Fatigue TCM Concentrate

Relieves stress
Promotes feelings of well-being
Nourishes the circulatory and nervous systems
Supports digestion
Promotes sleep
Invigorates the body

Vitamin B6

Supports brain function
Regulates mood
Regulates sleep cycles
Eases PMS
Eases morning sickness
Promotes healthy blood pressure levels
Nourishes eye health
Raises plasma levels
Promotes healthy blood vessels

This week save $5 off both Nervous Fatigue and Vitamin B6 at the Country Cupboard.

Contact me for more information about chronic stress and adrenal fatigue!

Basil...One of My Favorites!

8/24/2018

Basil has come to be one of my favorite oils! It's my go-to oil when I need mental focus and energy when I am dragging. I use two drops internally every morning to support my adrenals and my body with stress.

As the kids are getting back to school, it’s important to help them stay focused while doing their school work. Diffuse dōTERRA Basil essential oil in your child’s study area to promote a sense of focus for tasks that require mental clarity creating a perfect stress-relieving experience.

Not only can Basil be used to promote focus and alertness, but it can also add a little extra flavor to your cooking. The spicy, yet herbal taste of Basil adds the perfect flavor for meats, pastas, and entrée dishes.

Tired but Wired!

4/1/2017

Adrenal glands are tiny glands that help us manage our stress. When we have ongoing stress, these glands become fatigued! This may cause you to:

have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep
wake up feeling groggy and tired
have nervous energy and irritability
feel stressed and overwhelmed
have sugar cravings
have low blood pressure

Managing stress is the #1 way to overcome adrenal fatigue. Try exercising, massage, meditation, exercises, going to bed/getting up at the same time, and hot baths. Adaptogens, like Mito2Max, are great supplements for supporting adrenals as well as NutriCalm, Zinc and Vitamin C. (All available at the Country Cupboard).

If you would like to learn more about this, I would love to hear from you!