Balms and Manna Blog - Balms and Manna

Why A Hormone Test?

7/26/2023

WHY A HORMONE TEST?

Why would I need a hormone test? And what would it tell me?

WHY:
Although these have become part of so many people's lives, they are all signs that your hormones might need some attention:

Weight gain/inability to lose weight
Mood swings- depressed, irritable, anxious
Poor sleep
Night sweats
Decreased libido
Fatigue
Sick frequently
Intense cravings for salt/sugar
Joint aches
Low energy/energy slumps
Digestive issues
PMS- painful, bloating, breast tenderness
Irregular periods/absent periods

HOW:
When our body perceives stress (whether chemical, physical or emotional stress), it sends a series of signals from our brain to our adrenal glands. This is the body's normal response and increases cortisol and adrenaline to appropriately respond to the stress.

As the body adapts to stress, the hormone levels return to normal. However with ongoing stress, the levels in the body start to become imbalanced.

WHAT:
A Salivary Hormone Profile shows you how your body is responding to this signaling pathway and where you are in the stress response. It gives a picture of whether you are in an acute stage of stress or whether you have been dealing with stress for long periods of time.

It will also show how the stress response is impacting sex hormone levels. It includes the following markers:

Total cortisol levels
Cortisol levels throughout the day
DHEA
Estradiol (the most strongest form of estrogen)
Progesterone
Testosterone

Really, it is a big picture of how your body is responding and handling stress and how that manifests in the things you are struggling with in every day life.

It truly gives you answers and connects what you feel to what is going on in your body! Learn more about salivary hormone testing.

Schedule a Discovery Call to Learn More

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!

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

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!

Why Detox?

3/29/2021

Spring is the perfect time to detox! Your body is already naturally detoxing to help it move from winter to spring.

But why do we need to detox? Overtime we pick up toxins from our environment in the air, the chemicals added to the ground, food and products we use and from the things we put on our bodies.

Toxins disrupt our hormone balance, contribute to inflammation, digestion & respiratory problems, weight gain and poor sleep to name a few.

Detoxing promotes:

Better digestion
Better skin
Better metabolism
Better mood
More energy
Less weight
Less inflammation

What is the best detox for you?

Detox can be diet changes such as eliminating dairy, gluten, sugar and process foods.
You can eliminate toxic cleaners and body care products by replacing them with non toxic cleaners such as doTERRA's OnGuard*, Verage or Essential Skin Care lines.
Or you can use herbs and essential oils to focus in on the areas you want to detox.
- Whole Body- Cellular Detox*
- Focus on Chemicals- EnviroDetox*
- Hormone- Indole 3 Carbinol*
- Skin and Body Odor- Liquid Chlorophyll*
- Heavy Metals- Heavy Metal Detox*

If this seems overwhelming, contact me and I would be happy to customize a detox plan for you!
*Can be purchased at the Country Cupboard in Fairbury, IL.

Can You Live Without Grapefruit?

11/15/2019

Grapefruit oil is becoming one of the most popular essential oils on the market. It doesn't just smell good, it IS good! I'm not sure about you, but I don't want to be without my daily drop of Grapefruit! Here's why:

Use Grapefruit oil for weight loss
Experimental research shows that diffusing Grapefruit oil may help to curb cravings. Additionally, when taken internally, Grapefruit can help to support blood sugar levels that are already in the normal range.*

Use Grapefruit oil for skin
Keep its lovely aroma with you all day and improve the appearance of your skin by incorporating Grapefruit oil into your skincare routine to reduce the appearance of blemishes. Remember though, as a citrus oil, the use of Grapefruit oil on the skin poses a risk for sun sensitivity, so avoid ultra-violet rays for at least 12 hours after applying Grapefruit to the skin.

Use Grapefruit oil to support a healthy metabolism*
Because it contains the chemical constituent limonene, Grapefruit essential oil has internal cleansing and purifying properties and gently cleanses the body with detoxifying benefits.* To take full advantage of these benefits, simply add one to two drops to a glass of water, and drink.

Use Grapefruit oil to create an uplifting environment
Feeling bored and sluggish at work in the afternoon? Try diffusing Grapefruit oil at your desk. Need a little pick-me-up in the morning? Place a drop of Grapefruit oil in your palms, rub your hands together, and inhale deeply to take in its energizing, delightful aroma.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sweet and Refreshing!

3/28/2018

Sweet! Refreshing! And Tasty! I love to use doTERRA Grapefruit oil as part of a spring detox routine. Grapefruit helps to cleanse the body of any unwanted toxins in support of a healthy metabolism. It also adds a delicious flavor to any beverage for a sweet twist.

Diffusing Grapefruit makes my house smell so fresh! Combine Grapefruit and Elevation for a tangy combination that uplifts your mood and provides an energizing aroma. It’s a great motivation boost to help set your mindset and accomplish your spring-cleaning this season which is not my favorite job, so I am happy to diffuse anything that will help give me the kick I need to get it done! Grab a bottle for your essential spring collection today!

Winter Blues? Try Liquid Sunshine!

2/1/2017

Seems like I’ve heard a lot of comments lately about the cloudy weather! The lack of sunshine can definitely bring us down!

We get 80-100% of our Vitamin D from the sun which provides energy, lifts the mood, helps us absorb calcium and is linked to cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Taking 2000 iu of Vitamin D during the winter months can significantly lift the mood.

Elevation (Joyful Blend) and Cheer (Uplifting Blend) are both wonderful blends to diffuse or roll on every morning to provoke energy and happiness and drive away gloom and disinterest.

A Healthy Start to the New Year!

1/2/2017

Join me all day Saturday, January 21st at the Country Cupboard for a special day focused on healthy eating and living! Check out new products, experience healthy recipes and save $3 off of any water bottle. Chat with a natural health coach about weight loss.

The Country Cupboard will be featuring allergy free products, sales, samples and a gluten free lunch option.