Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

Zinc- It's More Than an Immunity Supplement

1/21/2021

Lately, I've heard a lot of people talking about taking zinc to stay well. It is great for the immune system but it has so many more benefits!

Here are the Top 6 Benefits of Zinc:
1. Supports Immune Function- Improves macrophage, neutrophil and natural killer cell activity

2. Encourages Digestive Absorption- Helps break down amino acids and carbohydrates

3. Helps Balance Hormones and Improves Fertility- Needed for the creation and release of healthy eggs, supports healthy testosterone levels, and needed for the production of estrogen and progesterone

4. Balances Blood Sugar- It binds to insulin and then allows insulin to be released from the pancreas when glucose enters the bloodstream

5. Supports Heart Health- Supports healthy circulation, inflammation and nourishes the lining of blood vessels

6. Powerful Antioxidant for the Eyes and Liver- Encourages healthy cell division and fights oxidative stress, slows down vision loss and macular degeneration, support healthy inflammation in the liver and promotes healthy elimination

My favorite brand of Zinc is Nature's Sunshine. You can purchase it at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury for $19.15 or online here.

Tried and True-For Me and You!

12/30/2020

It was one of those days....
I had a rough day at work and needless to say, I didn't come home in the best mood! I was cranky and whiny and my poor sister patiently listened while I vented. She quietly went to diffuser in the kitchen and put in a few drops of Balance.

After 10 minutes of being home, I was feeling much better. In fact, I thought to myself that my day wasn't really that bad and I totally over reacted. I shared this with my sister and she smiled and said, "That's because I put Balance in the diffuser!"

This was my first experience with Balance and after feeling the difference, it has become part of my daily routine. I roll it on the bottom of my foot in combination with Serenity essential oil. I also have a small bottle of it that I keep in my purse and I feel anxious and stressed, I open the bottle and smell it or rub a little drop on the insides of my wrist.

I have seen this oil calm babies, anxious dogs and confused grandmas! It's an oil that I recommend to almost everyone because who of us doesn't need a little bit more grounding and a little less stress in our lives?

If you don't have this amazing oil and would like a sample, please let me know and I would be happy to send one to you! Or you can get a whole bottle for yourself!

How Do I Know Which Way to Use My Essential Oils?

12/29/2020

Investing in essential oils is one of the best things you can do! But once you get your oils home, it can be a little overwhelming with how to use them. Let me make it super simple for you!

Aromatically

To clean and purify the air
To boost immunity and open the airways
To support emotions and uplift the mood

How to use:

Add 6-8 drops of any combination of essential oils to a diffuser
Drop or roll directly on palms, rub together, cup hands over face without touching, and inhale deeply

Topically

To address any area of the body that needs support (pain, skin issues, etc)
Apply to the bottom of feet, back, back or sides of neck, forehead, temples, chest, abdomen, arms/wrists, legs/knees, hands

How to use:

Use with hot compress when applying to an area of concern
Dilute at a 1:4 ratio with Fractionated Coconut Oil or use a doTERRA touch roller
Use one drop or circle (with roller) up to every 30 minutes as needed

Internally

To address the whole body or body system (such as digestion, metabolism, immunity, hormone balance, nervous system, etc)
For cellular support

* Only for doTERRA essential oils that are labeled for internal use and have supplement facts.

How to use:

Put 1 drop under the tongue
Put 1-2 drops in a water and drink
Put in empty veggie capsule and swallow

If you would like to learn more about how to use your oils, contact me and I'll work with you until you feel 100% comfortable with your oils!

6 Tips for a Healthy and Happy Holiday!

11/27/2020

1. De-stress: Stress can greatly impact your immune system! Take 10-15 minutes every day for "me time" to do something relaxing to slow down your mind and body. Deep breathing, reading, bubble baths, puzzles, hot tea with music or reviewing your day with a friend.

2. Moderation and Healthy Substitutions: Limit your desserts to half portion or only one cookie from the tray. Say "no" when you are full. Substitute less processed sugars like coconut sugar, sucanat, honey and maple syrup for refined sugar.

3. Exercise: Don't forget this important part! Dance to your favorite Christmas music. Take a walk in the snow or to see the Christmas lights. Go sledding, skiing or play in the snow.

4. Simplify: Decide which things are really important to you and eliminate the rest. Don't let pressure make you do things because "you've always done them".

5. Get Your Sleep: You will be a better you when you are rested and can have energy to serve and love others. Try Serenity softgels or diffusing your favorite calming oils!

6. Rejoice! Gratitude lifts our spirits and helps us see joy in the journey. Try writing in a thankful journal every day.

Corn Syrup- A Hidden Imposter

10/2/2020

Corn syrup is a cheap food filler that is found is most processed foods. It is produced from corn that is likely sprayed and GMO and is a sign of very poor quality of food. Our bodies aren't able to process corn syrup in the way we typically metabolize food. It bypasses the pancreas and goes straight to the liver where it is stored as fat. So why does that matter? This triggers the production of cholesterol which can contribute to leaky gut and increased inflammation.

Corn syrup increases:

risk of insulin resistance
triglycerides
food cravings
risk of fatty liver disease

This is an ingredient that I am adamant about staying out of my diet and life! If I do accidentally eat something with corn syrup, I notice that I have cravings for sugar for the next several days and have terrible irritability.

This imposter is hiding is so many foods that are in everyone's cupboard:

cool whip
ketchup
salad dressings
mayo
barbeque sauce
marshmallows
cereals
bread
soda
juice
cough syrups
crackers
pretzels
cottage cheese
yogurt
ice cream
pickles
baked beans
most packaged and processed foods

If you are going to make one change to have a healthier diet, this is the most important- eliminate corn syrup! It's not hard to do. Just start reading labels to become aware of where it's hiding and then look on the shelf next to the product. There is generally another brand that doesn't have corn syrup in it. Do yourself and your family a favor by taking the steps to live a corn syrup free life! They will thank you for it!!

Simple and Easy Immune Booster!

9/18/2020

Right now, staying healthy is on most people's minds! Having a strong immune system is always a priority to me pandemic or no pandemic!

OnGuard Protective Essential Oil Blend is my go-to for year round immunity support! This blend of Clove, Cinnamon, Wild Orange, Rosemary and Eucalyptus not only smells so warm and inviting but it's easy to use!

* Add 6 drops to your diffuser
* Add 30 drops to a 10 ml roller and fill with Fractionated Coconut oil and roll 1 circle on the bottom of your feet twice daily. (Or just purchase a OnGuard Touch which is a 10 ml roller already diluted and ready to go!)
*Add 1 drop of OnGuard to a glass of water or under your tongue

For an even more powerful immune boost:
14 drops Lemon essential oil
10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
10 drops OnGuard essential oil
8 drops Oregano (or Thyme for kids) essential oil
Add to a 10 ml roller and fill with Fractionated Coconut Oil. Apply 1 circle to the bottom of feet twice daily.

Lastly, if I feel something coming on and I need something more, I pop an OnGuard softgel in my mouth twice a day until I feel better. Works every time!!

Our immune systems stay strong when we support them consistently so these recommendations give the best results when done daily.

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!

Want to Change Your Health Habits but Overwhelmed with Where to Start?

8/12/2020

Here are five simple things you can start today to feel and look better!

1- Eat Real Food- Eat food in its natural state. Try shopping around the perimeter of grocery stores and eating more raw fruits and veggies. Choose foods that represent all the colors of the rainbow to widen your intake of nutrients and vitamins.

2- Minimize Processed Foods- This means anything that comes in a package or bag. The longer the shelf life of what you eat, the shorter yours will be.

3- Eat Healthy Fats- Upgrade your choice of oil from canola, vegetable, corn, soybean and margarine to avocado, coconut, olive oil and butter. Fill your diet with nuts, seeds, olives and salmon.

4- Eat with Friends- Eating with friends improves digestion by slowing down your eating, stimulating more stomach acid to fully digest your food, increased enjoyment and savoring of your meal and decreasing your stress. Turn off the tv, phones and avoid reading or scrolling while you eat.

5- Drink More Water- Drink half your body weight in ounces of water (not tea, juice or other liquids, just water). If drinking water is difficult for you, add doTERRA citrus essential oils to flavor your water and ease your toxin load.

6 Benefits Of Fennel Essential Oil

7/10/2020

Fennel essential oil is steam distilled from the crushed seeds of the fennel plant. It's a sweet, somewhat spicy and licorice like scent. Use Fennel to go from unproductive to flourishing!

1- Breast feeding or low milk supply- use in a capsule or water to stimulate milk supply

2- Stomach discomfort- Take in a capsule or massage over abdomen to ease occasional gas, upset stomach or tension.

3- PMS or menopausal issues- Take in a capsule or massage over abdomen to balance and tone organs

4-Move fluid- Combine with grapefruit and take in a capsule or massage over affected area to stimulate movement of stagnate fluid

5- Blood sugar balance- Take in a capsule to curb cravings

6- Sluggish bowels- Combine with lemon and take in a capsule to keep things moving

Hormones...We all Have Them but Don't Always Like Them!

7/1/2020

In my daily interactions with women, it seems like the topic of hormones frequently come up.

I hear conversations like, "I think my hormones aren't balanced. What is the best way to know?" and "I'm suffering from really bad mood swings for no reason," and "My husband says 'Please ask Becky to help you with your PMS'".

We all have hormones and they are beautiful, amazing things when they are balanced. Hormones are responsible for our metabolism, regulating body temperature, healthy inflammation levels, building muscles and bones, sleep cycles, stress levels, weight, energy and many other body functions.

But in the society we live in, it's easy for hormone imbalance to be a real thing that many women deal with! Pain, irritability, fatigue, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, poor digestion, food sensitivities are all symptoms of imbalanced hormones.

Stress, nutrition, exercise and toxins are fundamental building blocks of healthy hormones. With a little awareness of what your body is telling you, some education about how the body works combined with diligence and time will go a long way to bringing your hormones back into the balance that God intended them to be.

I would love to encourage you on that journey! I offer a 6 month personalized program to help you restore that balance using supplements, lifestyle modifications, nutrition education and encouragement along the way. Email me to schedule a time for us to start your program!