Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

5 Benefits of Oil Pulling

6/23/2022

5 BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING

Oil pulling is an oral detoxification done by swishing 1 tablespoon of coconut oil around in your mouth for 10-15 minutes. It works by pulling the toxins out of your mouth and creating a clean environment that contributes to the proper flow of saliva. This makes it curative as well as preventative when it comes to oral health.

5 BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING

Can kill harmful bacteria
Could help reduce bad breath
May prevent cavities
Decreases gum inflammation and improve oral health
Simple and inexpensive

HOW I DO OIL PULLING

First thing in the morning before eating or drinking, swish 1 tablespoon of organic unrefined coconut oil in your mouth and between for 10-15 minutes. I like to do this while I am taking a shower or getting ready for the day.
Make sure you don't swallow the oil. After 10-15 minutes, spit it in a trash can (not in the sink or it will clog the drain over time). Rinse your mouth with warm water and then brush your teeth.
The recommendation is 3-4 times weekly but after doing this for years, I have found that my mouth and teeth feel gross if I don't do it daily.

* I like to add 1 drop of Clove Essential oil to my mouth after adding the coconut oil for an added oral health boost.

Life is Better with Copaiba

3/29/2022

LIFE IS BETTER WITH COPAIBA

Do you struggle with sleep, anxious feelings, poor digestion or poor circulation? Do you wish that you had something that would just make your life better and more comfortable?

Copaiba is an essential oil that most people have never heard about. It comes from the copaiba tree which is native to South America. The main constitute of Copaiba is beta-caryophyllene which is powerfully relaxing, soothing and supports your endocannabinoid system. This system in your body is responsible for managing inflammation and bringing the body systems into balance.

SO HOW IS LIFE BETTER WITH COPAIBA?

Taking a softgel capsule before going to bed can promote a better night's sleep
Using 1-2 drops internally under the tongue or as a softgel daily can support healthy hormones, a stronger nervous system, less discomfort, better digestion, circulation and immunity
Massage on topically to ease discomfort
Add a few drops to your moisturizer to reduce the appearance of blemishes and keep the skin looking clearer and healthier.

WHY I LOVE COPAIBA-

Taking a softgel nightly before bed helps me sleep better and keeps my fingers from falling asleep during the night.
It helps me have an overall calmer mood, less anxious feelings and makes life's challenges easier to deal with.
I notice less congestion in my lymph (think less PMS issues), sinuses, liver (clearer skin and less head tension) and healthy inflammation levels in my veins (think less discomfort and better circulation).
I also notice more hormone balance (less moodiness, bloating and fatigue).

Does this sound like an oil you would like to try? I would be happy to share a sample of this with you so you can also feel power and support of this amazing oil! Or if you don't want to wait, get yours now!

I WANT A SAMPLE

Are You Normal? What Does Your Gut Tell You?

2/3/2022

ARE YOU NORMAL? WHAT DOES YOUR GUT TELL YOU?

I am amazed at how many people I know think that having a bowel movement every other day is normal! Or easily dismiss bloating, gas and indigestion as something that everyone deals with. It doesn't have to be that way!

Our gut health is so important and tied to so many other functions in our body!

Our gut health affects our mood. Our vagus nerve, which travels from our gut to our brain, signals that "gut feeling" to our brain. So the more inflammation our gut has, the more anxious and depressed we are going to feel.
70% of our immunity is in our gut. Imbalanced bacteria depletes our immune systems and leads to so many conditions.
Our skin is a direct reflection of our gut. The healthier and more balanced our gut biome is the clearer our skin will be.

How to support a healthy gut:

Limit sugars which are inflammatory, feed yeast and other bacteria in the gut.
Processed foods are full of preservatives, chemicals and food dyes. These increase inflammation, irritation and discomfort
Probiotics replenish good bacteria and help balance the gut biome. Anyone can benefit from them! Fermented food such as kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut are all good ways to get probiotics in your diet. Or you can take a probiotic instead.
- When choosing a probiotic, make sure you have at least 6 billion CFUs for it to be effective. doTERRA's PB Assist is double encapsulated to allow for the outer capsule to be dissolved by stomach acid and the actual probiotics to get to the gut where they need to work.
Often gluten is a hidden trigger for inflammation and gut irritation. Try eliminating gluten for several weeks and notice what changes you experience with your gut health.
A digestive enzyme can be helpful for absorption of our nutrients so out body has what it needs and can function better. Digestive enzymes also ease digestive discomfort from gas and bloating.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIGESTIVE HEALTH

5 Ways to Start the New Year Off Right

12/29/2021

5 WAYS TO START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT

January-that time of year when the holiday festivities leave us feeling a few pounds heavier, a little more brain fogged and a little less energetic than we'd like to be. It's a New Year and a great time to reset our routines and choices!

Here are five simple ways to start the New Year off right!

DE-STRESS- Start with noticing signs that indicate you are stressed. Even better is to make a list of these things. Focus on awareness of when you are stressed and listening to your body.

Make a list of 10 things you truly enjoy that you feel refreshed and renewed after doing. As you become increasingly aware of when you are stressed, pull out your list and spend 10-15 minutes de-stressing.

EXERCISE- Just 15 minutes of movement every day, especially outside will help to balance your hormones, increase your energy and mood. Talk a walk in the snow, go sledding, ice skating or a bike ride when the weather is good.

GET YOUR SLEEP- Getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night is foundation to everything! Your weight, ability to detox, mood, energy, hormone balance, stress levels and even digestion!

Set a sleep and wake time and stay within an hour of that time frame to regulate your circadian rhythms. Take the 30-60 minutes before bed to turn off all screens, do some reading, journaling, devotions, gratitude or a relaxing bath with essential oils.

If falling asleep or staying asleep is hard for you, try Serenity softgels. They promote deep and restful sleep and are truly amazing!

DRINK WATER- Drinking water hydrates your skin, improves digestion and elimination, reduces feelings of hunger and calorie intake and helps flush out toxins. Half your body weight in ounces daily is the general recommendation

REDUCE SUGAR- The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar daily! Sugar slows down your immune system, increases inflammation, creates brain fog and drains your energy. It's also contributes to heart disease, fatty liver, diabetes and cancer.

Get my Sugar Substitute Reference Guide

Bone Broth Basics

11/30/2021

Bone Broth Basics
It's that time of year when we all want to cozy up with a bowl of steaming soup! And what's better to use as a base than bone broth? Bone broth doesn't just taste good, it's full of nutrition and essential minerals. It also provides amino acids and is a great source of collagen and gelatin.

Bone broth supports:

Restoration of leaky gut
Food allergies/intolerances
Joint health
Immunity

How to Make Your Own Bone Broth:

For a quality bone broth recipe, it’s important to use all the body parts like organ meat, feet and neck.
You also want to buy animal products that you know are pasture-fed and free of antibiotics and hormones in order to truly unlock all the bone broth benefits.
Add vegetables (carrots, onions, celery) and garlic for added taste and nutrition

Cooking Suggestions

Place bones into a large stock pot and cover with water.
Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to water prior to cooking. This helps to pull out important nutrients from the bones.
Fill stock pot with filtered water. Leave plenty of room for water to boil.
Heat slowly. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for at least six hours. Remove scum as it arises.
Cook slow and at low heat. Chicken bones can cook for 24 hours. Beef bones can cook for 48 hours. A low and slow cook time is necessary in order to fully extract the nutrients in and around the bone.
Alternatively, you can use a crock pot to make the broth. Use the same directions by covering bones with water and adding apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 8-24 hours.
Remove large pieces of bone, meat and veggies and discard. Strain through a sieve and then store in jars in the fridge or process in a pressure canner for later use.

After cooking, the broth will cool and a layer of fat will harden on top. This layer protects the broth beneath. You can eat this layer along with the broth if desired.

*You can also purchase bone broth instead of making it yourself. Organic, grass fed bone broth with no preservatives with provide you with the best nutrition and benefit.

I'd love to hear if you make your own bone broth!

Let's Talk Sleep

7/28/2021

"Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to rest your brain and body for health" -Dr. Mathew Walker. Better sleep equals a better you!

No amount of change to your diet and exercise will create lasting physical health if you aren't getting good sleep! It's like rowing upstream in a boat with a leak in it.

Not getting enough sleep causes:

Decreased energy levels
Weakened gut
Disrupted hormones
Weak immune system
Decreased brain function (stress, anxiety, memory)
Less emotional regulation
Weight gain

Getting enough sleep involves realizing the value of it and making it a priority. Getting deeper and more restful sleep involves little changes you make throughout your day.

Tips for restorative sleep:

Morning exercise - 20 minutes of morning sunlight boost circadian rhythms
Deep breathing- Deep breathing activates the vagus nerve and calms the nervous system
Regular sleep and wake times - Go to bed and get up within 1 hour of your set time
Establish a bedtime routine- reading, journaling, prayer and listening to music
Turn off screens at least 1 hour before bed- EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) can limit melatonin production, impact circadian rhythms and impact memory and learning
Sleep in a dark, cool room
Don't eat 2-3 hours before sleeping- If you go to bed full, your body will spend time digesting rather than repair, restoring and detoxing
Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep every night

Garlic- So Much More Than Just a Food!

4/28/2021

Garlic is something almost all of us have in our kitchen. It's almost a universal food found in many cuisines and adds powerful flavor and smell to our food.

Delighting our taste buds, isn't all garlic is good for. Garlic contains sulfur compounds called alliin and allicin which are responsible for garlic's potent antifungal and antibacterial actions. It also contains vitamin A, C, E and selenium.

This food is particularly beneficial for the respiratory, circulatory and immune systems in our body.

Cardiovascular Benefits
- aids in thinning blood
- supports blood pressure within the healthy range
- support cholesterol within the health range
- stimulates circulation
- protective to the cardiovascular system

Respiratory Benefits
- supports decongestion
- helps expel mucus
- helps with fluid on the lungs
- aid the body in fighting infections

Immune Benefits
- soothes sore throats
- supportive to tooth discomfort
- soothes ear discomfort
- supports sinus discomfort

Garlic can be used several ways. The simplest is to add raw garlic to your cooking. You can also use it topically by placing a garlic clove next to your ear or throat for discomfort. Lastly, you can take garlic oil in a capsule to boost immunity, cardiovascular and respiratory challenges.

This week, save $6.50 on any bottle of garlic oil at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury! Sale price -$16.49

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.

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.

A Must Have for Your Medicine Cabinet!

11/15/2019

Have you heard of anyone talking about elderberry recently? These amazing benefits make this a must have for your medicine cabinet!

Elderberries grow on elder bushes and are wonderfully tasty. But they are also wonderfully beneficial to your immunity! Traditionally they've been used to cleanse the stomach and bowels, fight against respiratory congestion, boost lymphatic drainage and boost immunity. In America, the most common species is Sambucus. The flowers from the elder bush, which are often made into tea, can also support your body against viruses.

How to Use Elderberry:
Adults: Elderberry D3fense is a combination of Echinacea, Royal Jelly, Olive Leaf, White Willow Bark and Vitamin D3 in a capsule, all which promote healthy immunity as well as restoring your body to health when you are under the weather. This can be taken daily to stay healthy all winter long! Learn more here.

Kids: Elderberry syrup is a sweet liquid form of elderberry that is easy and convenient for kids to use. Integrative Therapeutics Elderberry Syrup is a great tasting, natural berry with a high potency extract. This can also be taken daily to maintain strong immunity!

Both Elderberry D3fense and Integrative Therapeutics Elderberry Syrup are available at the Country Cupboard for purchase!