Sprouts of Spring for Eating

Even the bee is excited for spring!

I guess you could say that I love the Spring. I just can't get it out of my mind as I sit down to write each day. I enjoy seeing the new growth poking up through the ground and the early flowers blooming. Today was a beautiful, warm day and I enjoyed walking in the sunshine for a bit.

It is still early for me to plant my garden; I haven't yet planted any cool weather crops. I have been getting some nutrient rich "early crops" into my diet by simply sprouting seeds on my kitchen counter, seeds such as alfalfa, sunflower, broccoli, fenugreek, lentils, clover, mung beans and more. Did you know that sprouts are a powerhouse of nutrition and enzymes?

Sprouts are super easy to grow, take little effort (just rinsing twice a day) and one tablespoon yields up to 2 cups of sprouts, depending on the variety. You can find directions all over the internet, so I will just encourage you to give it a try.

Tonight I made a delicious salad and was reminded again how varied and creative salads can be. Start with a base of different lettuce leaves, add a few chopped, shredded or sliced vegetables, some beans, meat or nuts, or even some fruit slices. Top with sprouts or ground flax seeds.

Another salad option is listed in the comment section of my February 28 post  by one of my followers Check out her salad too.

Dill Tuna and Flax Oil Salad

Ingredients:
Plate of varied lettuce leaves, spinach or other greens
Sliced yellow peppers
2 mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbsp of cashew pieces
Organic cherry tomatoes
1/2 can of solid white tuna
1&1/2 tsp flax seed oil
pinch of dill weed
handful of sprouts

Add all veggies to the plate of greens. Mix tuna, flaxseed oil and dill together until blended. Add to salad. Add dressing, if desired. Enjoy!

Have you tried sprouts before? What is your favorite sprout? What method do you use to sprout them?

Tomorrow I will be choosing the winner of the DiGize or Purification oil from among those who commented in March on my blog. Good luck to all!

Pray For Those Who Burglar You?

Last Sunday, I missed a call from my mother at 9:30 in the morning. Within minutes, with heart pounding and high apprehension that someone was in the hospital (they are 78 and 83), I was listening to a voice message that began:

Hi, Susie, it's mom. It's 9:30 Sunday morning and I am just calling to ask for some prayers from you and from whoever you can get a hold of. (Stomach drops, heart pounds) Someone broke into our condo last night and stole dad's wallet and the car keys and then stole the car.

The message went on from there to say they were waiting for the police, making calls to cancel credit cards and taking care of logistics. Needless to say, I was so relieved they were both OK, not having a health crisis and not hurt during the break in, that I called right back and expressed my concern and my gratitude.

The next day as we talked on the phone, my parents shared how they had borrowed a car to go to church later that day. While in church, both of them, independent of each other, began to pray for the person who broke into their condo. Each of them wondered what kind of a life someone would have who breaks in and steals. Both were concerned about the good of the person who had just done them harm. I was so touched and inspired by their genuine concern. Would I have responded the same way?

If someone causes you harm, whether by hurtful words, neglect or an unkind action, how do you respond? Most of us will want to retaliate, pull back or shut that person out. How many of us are able to widen our hearts to include that person's needs in our prayers?

While we don't need to put ourselves in harms way or continue to allow someone to disregard our dignity, we can still pray for the other and want God's best for them. Can you imagine what the world would be like if this were the way most of us responded?

This reminds me of my post about St. Rita and her ability to reconcile families that were bloody enemies. It also reminds me of the mercy that is experienced by Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, when the bishop gives him the silver that Jean Valjean initially stole. Mercy is definitely the theme of Les Miserables. If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it. Check out the official movie site here with great little clips. It is an inspiring movie.

Have you been able to extend God's mercy to someone you thought didn't "deserve" it? Have you witnessed another extending this kind of mercy?

Just a reminder: comment and you might be the winner of an essential oil on April 1. 

"Mommy, I have a tummy ache"

Visit Young Living with Kristen
on Facebook for more kid tips

Growing up I remember some of my favorite commercials were for Alka Seltzer. Of course, as a child I really didn't need anything for indigestion or heart burn. Today, though, I still think of them fondly, because of good marketing.

Does anyone else remember?  "Plop, plop...fizz, fizz... Oh, what a relief it is!"
And, "I can't believe I ate the whoooooole thing!"

Indigestion, gas, bloating, diarrhea, gird, acid reflux, heart burn...we have many names for what happens when you eat too much and combine too many different foods. Add to that the rise in gluten and dairy intolerance, and the lack of enzymes in our foods, the increase in pesticides and chemicals that are designed to cause an insect's stomach to explode, and experiencing stomach discomfort is almost a given. It can be a bit embarrassing too when you suddenly realize you are about to "cause a stink".

Of course, indigestion and gas are not mandatory. Eating a more whole food diet and more organic foods, doing a colon cleanse and using natural remedies that aid digestion and reduce discomfort are all effective solutions. Adding a quality enzyme supplement and probiotics can also be effective for better digestion and elimination (see previous post).

My daughter-in-law was sharing on Facebook, that she made a tummy rub for my grandson. She mixed two drops of DiGize oil (good for indigestion, IBS, parasites) in 1 Tbsp of coconut oil and put it in a small container. You can get these containers from Abundant Health online. She just rubbed a small amount of the mixture on his stomach and he felt better in no time.

A woman with a colicky baby came by my house last week to get something to try. I gave her 2 tsp. of Young Living's V6 oil mixed with 2 drops of DiGize. This helped ease the baby's colic almost instantly and my goodness, you can't get any cheaper (and healthier) than that.

For an adult, you can rub 2 drops of DiGize oil "neat" (that is straight out of the bottle) right onto your stomach. Peppermint and fennel are also good topically. You can put a drop or two of these oils in water and drink them and this will encourage digestion and discouraging indigestion.

Ginger is great for aiding digestion. You can make a ginger tea by just adding fresh ginger slices to hot water. You could add a squirt of honey or agave nectar if you wanted, although I love it unsweetened.

Papaya has natural enzymes and a family member use to give me papaya tablets to suck on after a heavy meal.

So what do you use to aid digestion, eliminate gas and get comfortable again?

So What's On Your Mind?

I am curious about what you have been learning, trying, or have questions about. Today is your day to post and get the conversation started. Don't forget, these comments will earn you a chance to win a bottle of Young Living DiGize or Purification oil (your choice) to be given away on April 1. 

So, what's on your mind?

Schizophrenic Spring

Just when I thought that winter was over, a late snow falls and takes me by surprise. Yesterday, I opened the front door early in the morning, with running shoes on and stopped dead in my tracks. The porch, the sidewalk, my car were all covered in an inch of fluffy, white snow. In that moment, I had a choice.

I could choose to complain, to grumble about the weather and focus on the inconvenience, the cold and my disappointment, or I could focus on the beauty of this moment, the crisp refreshing air and the fact that winter is about to give way to spring, then summer, then fall. Every season is created for a purpose, and winter was still taking its job seriously.

With this in mind, I opened I Declare, by Joel Osteen, and read day Twenty-Six.

I Declare I will choose faith over fear! I will meditate on what is positive and what is good about my situation. I will use my energy not to worry but to believe. Fear has no part in my life. I will not dwell on negative, discouraging thoughts...

Joel continues to explain that both faith and fear ask us to believe in something that has not happened or cannot be seen. They both involve a choice for viewing the future. Faith believes in the positive, blessings that will come, while fear believes that something awful is about to overtake us. Faith does not ignore or deny the existence of evil, selfishness and sickness, but trusts in a love and care in the midst of difficult circumstances. It is all a matter of focus.

• Fear that cancer will win, or faith that God will bring about greater good whatever the outcome might look like. 
• Fear that others will reject me because of my ____________, or faith that I am God's masterpiece and precious in His eyes.
• Fear that I will never be able to be healthier, or faith that I am totally capable of choosing better options for myself and I will be healthier each day.
• Fear that I won't have enough money, or faith that God will provide all that I legitimately need.
  

It takes the same amount of energy to worry and dwell on the negative as it does to believe and focus on the positive. When we dwell on the negative, we set a direction and usually reap what we expect.

We actually bring about that which we fear. That is just how our minds work. We begin to look for and focus on the negative, grabbing hold of it as if to say, "See, here it is, just what I feared." We then miss opportunities to make better choices. We also create stress in our bodies that negatively affects our health.

When we set a positive course, we sail our ship toward a sunny destination. As we think about the good and look for the glimmers of light, we actually change our body chemistry and raise our frequency. We begin to "focus" our attention, like the lens of a camera, on the blessings all around us. We appreciate the smile of a coworker. We enjoy the spring flowers poking through the snow. We recognize the provision of income in order to pay our bills.

Deuteronomy 30:19 states, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him"

God lets us choose. He has shown us the power of love, speaking truth and having faith. He has also shown us what happens when we let fear or negativity take charge of our day.

My encouragement to each of us, myself included, is to pay closer attention to what we say. "Today will be a great day." "Isn't the snow beautiful." "This snow just reminds me of how much I am going to enjoy spring and summer." "I will see God's blessings today." "God will send angels to help me in this difficulty."

Then watch to see how your day is transformed. Come back here to share what happens with all of us!

How do you, well... poo?

There are some topics that just don't come up in conversation, unless maybe you are three years old. Yet, one such conversation could radically affect your health. So...here goes!

When it comes to our health, one of the most important systems in the body is our digestive system. This is the front line for absorbing nutrients, minerals, vitamins, fighting bacteria and viruses, and removing toxins from the body.

How many times has anyone, including your doctor, asked you what your stool looked like? This question could be key in the detective work of discovering the source of a health challenge. Of course, this assumes that you are approaching the body as though it has an innate, miraculous ability to heal itself.  If our bowels are functioning well, there is a good chance our body will have the materials it needs to build, grow, heal and remain vibrant.

Can you imagine being a carpenter who is rarely given good, solid pieces of wood to work with, but is given cheap press board, softer woods that grow quickly and have lots of sticky sap, and only a handful of inferior tools with which to do his work? You can imagine what the final results would inevitably look like, despite his best efforts and skill.

Did you know that healthy, human poop should be a long, smooth log, like a sausage or snake, that passes without strain or discomfort in about 1 minute? Did you know that optimally a bowel movement should occur shortly after every meal? "Three trains in, three trains out" is a common expression to describe this process. When this is not happening, our bowels struggle to absorb, detoxify and help keep our immune system strong.

Stacey Kimbrel has a great book, Living Balanced, that includes the seven common types of stool and information on colon cleanses, enzymes and much more related to this topic. It is a great resource for learning more about household toxins and natural solutions for a healthier body and environment.  Visit Stacey's website, www.livinganointed.com, to learn more and order the book.

This subject is close to my heart (well, not literally) because for the first 48 years of my life I lived in a perpetual state of constipation, whether mildly or more severely. I can remember being a child and in agony trying to eliminate. I don't understand why a doctor never asked me about this.

When I joined Young Living, even after drinking Green Smoothies every morning for breakfast for a year, I was still experiencing mild constipation. As I started to learn about the importance of enzymes, probiotics, and healthy eating through Gary Young and other Young Living leaders, the light bulb went on for me. What I learned made so much sense. I decided to try the Essentialzyme capsules and the
NingXia Red juice every day. Within two days, my trains were moving efficiently and regularly. I was shocked!  I wondered, "Is this how it is suppose to be?" For the first time in my life I was having a bowel movement three times a day, and I began to drop weight almost immediately that had been unwilling to budge for nine months. Over the course of 10-12 weeks, I lost another 10 pounds. Acid reflux was gone too.

So take an inventory, so to speak, of your "movements". Do you drink enough water, eat enough fiber, have enough enzymes, take a good probiotic? I am happy to help you with any products from Young Living and to answer your questions. You will be amazed how different you will feel when the digestive system is functioning well.

Anybody want to share on the topic? Hmmm...

Surprising Natural Remedies

Sometimes we are surprised by remedies that work when we don't expect them to. We may not see the logic in the choice of product or in the results we are told to expect.
Here are a few fun examples of remedies that might take you by surprise.

Ring Worm

My grandson has ringworm on his neck. They live in the woods and are always outdoors. It was bound to happen. Using Purification and Oregano, his mom is treating it throughout the day, usually putting two drops on location three or four times a day. Here is what she has to say on day 7:

We had a busy weekend and didn't have time to post but here is day 7. Almost gone, it's fading more and more each day. I put some oils on every time Edmond seems to be bothered by it or says it itches. (See the whole progression and other great testimonies for kids on Facebook, "Young Living with Kristen").

Oil Pulling
An example of an unexpected remedy for me is oil pulling. Using coconut oil in the mouth, swishing it around for 20 minutes and then spitting it into a garbage can (never down a drain) seems a bit unusual. But I have read many testimonies that oil pulling helps eliminate bacteria in the mouth, improves gums and whitens teeth. Just 2 tsp of oil is all that is needed. What could be easier?

Cold Sore
One woman shared that she had a cold sore developing and all she had with her was lavender oil. She put a drop on her finger and rubbed it on the cold sore and within a short period of time, the cold sore was gone. She was surprised as lavender did not seem like the "right" oil for this problem.

Flower Oil Helps Allergies?
Who would think that using the essential oil of a flower would help with spring allergies? Inconceivable! Yet here is one of many testimonies that YL Lavender oil does the trick:

Good Bye Allergies: Spring is bursting forth here causing my eyes to itch and water and my nose to run like crazy. Mid morning I put some lavender behind my ears and under my eyes on my check bones. Now I am sitting outside with my boys feeling great and am not having any more allergy issues. Thanks YL Lavender!

Leg Cramps
I may have already posted this, but one woman was surprised that when she put Purification on a leg cramp in the middle of the night, thinking it was PanAway, the cramp released within a few minutes. She repeated this same treatment another night and again her cramp went away in minutes. That purification would be used for cramps was unexpected and surprised all of us.

Have you tried any of these remedies?  Is there an unusual natural remedy that you are surprised by?

Spicy Indian Eggplant

We have been enjoying this eggplant dish for several years. I came across it quite by accident when I had an eggplant that had to be used and was looking for something different to try. It has been a family favorite since.

Turmeric, garlic and ginger are all spices believed to have great medicinal properties, good for boosting immunity, strengthening the heart and aiding digestion.  This recipe is very simple to make and comes together quickly.

Spicy Indian Eggplant 
Ingredients
1 medium eggplant, washed
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1 medium onion, cut in chunks
1 carrot, cut into thin rounds
1 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped
1/2 inch fresh turmeric, finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder)
2 cloves garlic
1 large tomato, peeled and chopped (or 15 oz can tomatoes)
1/2 tsp sea salt
dash pepper
Cayenne pepper, if desired

Instructions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put whole eggplant on a cookie sheet and bake in oven for 30-45 minutes
until soft when poked or squeezed. Be careful when you poke it as I had an eggplant "blow up" in my face. Comically, I was not hurt, but the pressure under the skin just burst like I was popping a balloon and I ended up with a face full of hot air. Needless to say I was stunned, to say the least.

In a frying pan, heat oil over medium heat and add whole cumin and coriander seeds for 1-2 minutes, just until brown. Be careful not to burn them. Add onion, carrot rounds, garlic, ginger and turmeric and saute until soft. Add tomato and keep cooking over low heat.

When eggplant is soft, remove from oven. It will deflate pretty quickly. Cut in half and scoop out eggplant from the skin. Discard the skin. Cut eggplant into pieces and add to frying pan. Continue cooking until flavors are blended. Add salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, if desired.  Serve over brown rice.

Let me know what you think of this recipe. What is one of your healthy family favorites?

Leave a comment, and on April 1 I will draw the name of one person who commented in March to win either a DiGize or Purification essential oil blend from Young Living. The winner can choose which they would prefer. You can share this post on your Facebook and tell me in a comment and that's another ticket in the drawing.

Inspiration from Saint Rita

Today I watched the movie, Saint Rita, from Ignatius Press and was really inspired. St. Rita is considered to be the patron saint of hopeless situations.

St. Rita of Cascia lived in 14th century Italy during times of violent feuds between families. She married a handsome knight and discovered that her husband and his family were involved in alliances, murder and revenge. The whole town lived in fear, and families on both sides were continually mourning the death of loved ones.

St. Rita is said to have been a brave woman who suffering greatly because of her husband and the violence in his family. She prayed fervently for him and, after eighteen years, he repented of his violent ways and converted to the faith. Shortly thereafter he was murdered. Her two sons vowed to avenge their father's death. Rita prayed that the boys might be turned from their plans. Tragedy struck again, and her sons died of the plague, repenting of their violent intentions before they died.

Rita struggled for a time with her faith in God, and eventually she found peace, new hope, forgiveness and purpose. She determined to bring an end to the violent feuding, something others declared impossible. Miraculously, she was able to bring about reconciliation and healing between the families.

The next 40 years she spent as an Augustinian nun and was known both for her prayer life and her service to the sick. There were many miracles attributed to her and, though she died in 1457, her body remains incorrupt (has not decayed) and can still be seen in Cascia, Italy.

I was inspired by the depiction of her courage in the face of circumstances that seemed hopeless and bleak. Today we can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the poor choices of government officials, food industries and drug companies. We can feel fear as nations war with one another and terrorists strike. Self-centeredness abounds in our "do it my way" society and violence reaches even into our school where children should be safe. We can feel powerless to make a difference.

May you be encouraged by this story to realize that you can make a difference - in your family, in your community and in the world at large. Just living a life of faith and love is a witness of hope to others. Living a healthier life will inspire others to make better choices. Voting for change and encouraging others to do the same can have an impact on our communities and country. Networking with other like-minded individuals can build strength and purpose.

Never underestimate the difference that just one person can make. I have been praying for the courage to be bold, to share God's love and be willing to make a difference in whatever way God might want to use me. There are many stories of how one person inspired the transformation of a town, an industry, a country. You and I could be that person!

Who has inspired you? Is there a book or movie that you can share with us so we can be inspired too?

An Explosion of Natural Resources

The longer I am in this natural healing journey, the more resources that I am pleasantly surprised to learn of. Yesterday, I attended the Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh and enjoyed talking to many vendors about the products and services they offer. I wanted to share some of these with all of you as I believe you may find them to be a valuable resource.

The purpose of this conference is to encourage the connection of local farms and natural providers with consumers who are interested in a healthier lifestyle. Vendors attending included providers of raw, organic milk and organic, grassfed meats, fresh eggs, vegetable/fruit/herb cooperatives. There were vendors who made soaps, salsa, cheese, jams, energy bars, olive oils, wines, and more. Our own, Dr. Bulow, of Revive Upper Cervical, was in attendance, as well as a wholistic dentist. Organizations committed to educating the public about GMOs, humane livestock practices, "gleaning" for food banks, creating chemical free cleaners and personal care products, were available to talk with. Lots of family businesses were represented, including the owners of the Dillner Family Farm CSA, and many of the farmers attend farmer's markets around the Pittsburgh area. One vendor stated that the Sewickley Farmer's Market is an especially nice one.

These would be some of my top picks from the conversations I had in the 3 1/2 hours I spent at the conference. If you don't live near PA, see what is offered below and look for comparable services near you.

Footprints farm: provides top quality meats and heirloom vegetables from a small, sustainably designed farm. They host a spring and fall event for families to visit the farm and are willing to have groups (such as a homeschool fieldtrip) during the spring or fall if arranged ahead of time. Learn more about farmers Jeremy & Ellen Swartzfager at www.footprintsfarm4U.com.

Weatherbury Farm:  offers Grass-fed & finished meats and family vacations. They hope to soon have certification for organic ground flours. Family vacations include working on the farm for a day and learning about farm life. Located in Avella, PA.  Find out more at www.weatherburyfarm.com

Dr. Mark Buzzatto, nutraDentist: Holistic dentistry and nutrition in the Pittsburgh area for 30 years. For more information, call 412-831-9700 or find him on Facebook. 

Women for a Healthy Environment: is a non-profit organization whose mission is "to educate and empower women to act as ambassadors about environmental risks so that they can make healthier choices for themselves and their families, and advocate change for a better tomorrow for all."  They provided some free brochures on toxins and some recipes for natural cleaners (some with essential oils). To learn more, go to www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org. 

Gateway Lodge in Cook Forest, PA: From fireside Jacuzzi suites with a balcony and king-sized bed to rustic forest cabins, Gateway Lodge looks to be a wonderful place to reconnect with nature and unwind. I can't wait to spend some time here. Try a getaway package, such as the Mom's Spa Getaway complete with a two night stay in a suite, wine reception, breakfast and Sunday Breakfast Buffet, and a head to foot massage (hint, hint...). There is a Bed & Brew weekend for Father's Day, a Murder Mystery Weekend (Cathy?) and Wine & Dine Weekends. To learn more, visit www.gatewaylodge.com

Your Family Farmer/The Family Cow: is a family run dairy farm that delivers raw, organic milk all over the state of Pennsylvania (even to Paris, PA). Evidently, raw milk is legal in PA but not in OH, WV, NJ, or other local states. You can learn more about their offerings and drop points on their website, www.YourFamilyFarmer.com.

Frankferd Farms: specialize in growing a wide selection of grains, herbs, spices and provide cheeses, snacks and other items in a large catalog. Deliver all over the eastern side of PA and to Steubenville (Panhandle area) once a month. Delivers to your door if your total order is $300, so families can join together to order (FF will package these orders separately but deliver to one drop point). See an online catalog at www.frankferd.com. 

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: How would you like to Glean? Gleaning involves volunteers donating three hours to pick produce after farms have finished harvesting. These "donations" are then sent to the food bank for distribution. If you want to volunteer some time (ages 7, with guardian, or older) visit ww.pittsburghfoodbank.org or call 412-460-3663 x301. Weekdays or weekends in June through December.

Tait Farm Foods: I had a very interesting conversation about Shrubs at this table. Shrubs are family friendly drink mixers that make everything from an old fashioned fruit spritzer to fancy cocktails. I learned that it is an old English invention and means "acid food drink".  Original shrubs were vinegar based and aided digestion yet were low in sugar. Also available from Tait Farms are condiments, sauces, oils, vinaigrettes and gift collections. Check them out at www.taitfarmfoods.com.

Animal Welfare Approved: This organization is nationwide and audits, certifies, supports and promotes family farmers raising their animals humanely, outdoors on pasture or range. The AWA food label gives consumers peace of mind that animals are treated humanely even as they sacrifice themselves for our use. (I recently watched the movie "Vegecated" which was a shocker for me in realizing many of the practices in the raising and slaughtering of animals). Learn more at animalwelfareapproved.org. 

Obviously, this only scratches the surface, but hopefully it peaks your curiosity and encourages you to take a fieldtrip or try a local service. 

Which of these most interests you? Does this list inspire you or motivate you in any way?

This is the Day! This is your Day!

Today is your day to share on whatever topic you would like. So what are you learning? What's on your mind. What are you curious about?

If you live in the Pittsburgh area and have not yet signed up for the Young Living Exceptional Expectations conference on April 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., I encourage you to do so today. We will be in the ballroom at the Embassy Suites and the conference will be packed with incredible information on the use of essential oils and the miracle of the human body. If you appreciate natural remedies, you will love this conference. Shannon Hudson is a great teacher and speaker. Dr. Bulow will be speaking, as will I, and my team members will be treating you to a short theatrical performance. Download a flyer here.

You can contact me by email at s.weiss.yl@gmail.com, or on Facebook at Young Living with Susie with questions or to register.

Primary and Secondary Diets for Weight Loss

Did you know that we have a primary and a secondary diet? Did you know that if our primary diet is not fulfilling, then we turn to our secondary diet to compensate? If I could share a way for you to refocus your energy so you could lose more weight, enjoy life more and experience greater satisfaction, would you be interested?

If you spend more time focusing on your primary diet, your emotional eating will decrease, you will turn to food less often to meet your needs and you will experience a more profound happiness.

So what is this primary diet?

Your primary diet consists of the relationships in your life, your acts of service, your sense of purpose and belonging, your attitude and ability to be grateful and positive. When people feel appreciated, connected, needed and loved, they tend to turn to food less often to meet their emotional needs.

How often do you find yourself going to the refrigerator because you feel lonely, bored, frustrated, upset or a host of other emotions? I know I still struggle with this sometimes. The days I feel the most disconnected or concerned about the future are the days I most want to eat something crunchy, chocolate, or bready. These give me a quick buzz, but then I am left feeling lower than before. This can create a vicious cycle that leads to weight gain, swinging blood sugar, aches and pains and lowered self-confidence.

Our secondary diet is the food we eat, our proteins, fats, carbohydrates. This diet is suppose to nourish our cells so we will have a strong immune system and all the benefits of a healthy body. Food really does not have the power to love us, hold us, care for us or meet the emotional needs that can only be met by meaningful relationships and interactions.

So if you think you'd like to get healthier this spring and lose weight, why not telephone a positive, uplifting friend and go out for a chat, volunteer your services to others in need, listen to self-development audios that will challenge you to be all you can be. Get involved in activities that are meaningful for you. Watching others live out their lives on TV is no substitute for living your own life large and in color. Balancing time with others and time alone, time for work and time for relaxation, time for self and time serving others, is key.

Do you have any ideas for enhancing your primary diet?

Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh

For those of us trying to learn more about healthy living and eating, I thought it was worth mentioning this local conference for those in and around the Pittsburgh area. For those of you living elsewhere, I encourage you to find a conference or event like this in your area (or start one!).

Attending an event like this can give you great ideas for healthy recipes, local sources for organic locally grown vegetables and fruits, and can be an inspiration in so many ways. I plan to attend on Friday and enjoy the day. You can see more details and register online.

Here is what the website has to say:

The conference provides consumers with two days of networking and educational opportunities. Hands-on cooking demonstrations, gardening and information about nutrition and health are available. The conference provides consumers with ideas and information about where their food comes from and where to find businesses and organizations who can provide them with healthy food and healthy lifestyle choices.

Lots of activities happening too, but this one caught my attention: 

Michael Fracasso, musician & author, will play at the Local Food Tasting on Friday, March 21. He is also the author of a cookbook, Artist in the Kitchen. Michael & local food celeb Leah Lizarondo will be doing a cooking demo earlier that afternoon.

If you attend, I'd love to hear your feedback. Is there any other events, in your area, that you find especially helpful?
As you may know, leaving a comment puts you in the drawing for a free essential oil - DiGize or Purfication by Young Living. 

A Typical Essential Oil Day

Tonight I attended a meeting with a number of distributors in Young Living and guests interested in natural healing. We had a great discussion about the many ways that we use essential oils and other Young Living products throughout a typical day. It was an enlightening discussion and I thought it would be fun to share some of our daily habits with you.

Starting the day

• A woman who has epilepsy uses Clarity and Citrus Fresh oils on her temples and neck and this has helped prevent her seizures.
• Thieves oil is dropped on a toothbrush before brushing to kill bacteria in the mouth.
• Aroma Life is placed over the heart (high blood pressure), Myrtle on the throat (supports Thyroid) and Thieves oil on dark spots. 
• Ocotea oil is dropped under the tongue to aid in balancing blood sugar.
• Valor oil is rubbed on the bottom of the feet for balancing and courage for the day; while Joy oil is rubbed on the heart to increase positive energy.
• Many said they drink NingXia Red each morning to start their day as it is a powerhouse of
  nutrients and antioxidants.
  

Throughout the day

• Lemon, peppermint, citrus oils, fennel are used in water for therapeutic properties, but also because they taste good.
• Clarity oil is rubbed on the temples to improve memory and clear thought, while valor oil is used by those wanting to improve alertness. 
• Peppermint helps many who are getting tired or to get rid of a headache.
• NingXia Nitro was enjoyed by several as a natural, effective energy drink mid afternoon.
• Many people used enzymes with their meals to improve digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Pan Away and Deep Relief blends are used for pain by many with arthritis, joint pain or muscle pulls or strains.
• Many use Thieves hand soaps and cleaners and are avoiding the toxins associated with many home cleaners and popular soaps. 
• Several people shared using Thieves foaming soap to wash their veggies and egg shells when preparing meals.

At Night

• One woman shared that she rubs Valor on her husband's feet at night and his terrible snoring is now mild at worst and she can get a good nights sleep in the same room.
• Spritzing the pillow with lavender is something many of us do increase relaxation and enhance sleep.
• Most of us have a nightly routine of oils that we use based on our specific health challenges or the stresses of the day.
• Diffusing oils before bed has been helpful to many; i.e. R.C. for congestion, Peace & Calming for reducing anxiety, Thieves for colds or infections.
• One woman shared a powerful story: she was visiting her son out of town and ended up with a deep, nasty cough that greatly concerned them both. She had brought her son a home diffuser, so she decided to use it and dropped several drops of Frankincense into the water. She slept with her nose right near the diffuser and in 2-3 hours, her cough was completely gone. Even her son was amazed.
  

So how do you use essential oils in your own life? If you haven't tried them yet, you are missing something that could bless your life on so many levels. I would be happy to help you get started.

Comment, comment, comment and maybe you'll win a bottle of oil on April 1.

Celebrate the Eatin' of the Green!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I read recently that St. Patrick's Day is one of the most celebrated holidays, and it seems everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's day. I have a bit of the Irish in me and have made the Irish soda bread, the corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes. Today, however, I am trying to create some new, healthier traditions with some green delights.

Try your hand at a few of these fun recipes. Your body will thank you and your taste buds won't mind either.



Emerald Isle Sauce

1 ripe green kiwi, peeled
1-2 stalks celery, chopped
1 ripe pear, cut into pieces
1 gala, fuji or other sweet apple, chopped
dash of spirulina
1 tsp cinnamon and/or 1 drop YL cinnamon bark essential oil

Add celery and fruit to the blender and blend thoroughly. Add spirulina and cinnamon and blend until well mixed. Sprinkle with ground flaxseed for added Omega 3 benefits.
Note: To make anything a bit greener in color, add a 1/4 tsp of spirulina. Besides being high in protein and extremely nutritious, it's bright green/blue color will be dazzling.

Shamrock Shake
This will rival any McDonald's shake and it is so much healthier. Full of protein, a full spectrum of nutrients and enzymes, this shake is a meal replacement. 

1 frozen banana
8 oz coconut (or almond) milk
2 scoops YL Balance Complete or Power Meal powder
1 Tbsp maca powder (optional)
2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1-3 drops YL peppermint essential oil 
small handful of chocolate mint or other mint leaves 
1/4 tsp spirulina powder or 1/2 cup of spinach leaves

Put all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth and creamy. No green food coloring needed. Enjoy!


Leprechaun Hummus Dip

1 15 oz can garbanzo beans - drain & rinsed
1 cup kale, in pieces
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp dried lemon peel 

1/2 tsp fine black pepper

1/2 tsp celtic sea salt (more if needed)
3 dashes of cayenne (or more)
1/4 cup raw cashews
1 & 1/2 Tbsp tahini, roasted
1/4+ cup warm water
1/4 cup chopped cilantro or parsley leaf
1/2 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp spirulina (optional)

3-5 drops YL Lime essential oil

Add all ingredients to high speed blender (or Twister jar of Blendtec). Blend from low to high until creamy and color is consistent. Add a few extra splashes of water or drizzles of oil if needed to blend smooth. 

Pour in serving dish and chill in fridge for 1 hour or overnight. The mixture will thicken slightly when chilled and flavors will blend.  Serve with a drizzle of olive oil on top and fresh cilantro or parsley as a garnish. Serve with veggies, rice or flax crackers, organic corn chips or other.

There are lots of recipe ideas on the internet. Here are just a few other sites that I found for Green St. Patrick's Day ideas.  

http://greatist.com/health/healthy-green-recipes-st-patricks-day

http://redtri.com/naturally-green-food-for-st-patricks-day/slide/1/#slide

www.rawfamily.com

What are you doing for St. Patrick's Day? Do you have a healthy idea you could share with us?

Inspired by Abraham

One of the readings in church today was about Abraham being called by God, and I found myself pondering some of the similarities of this story to my own life. 

Abraham was called to leave everything and go to a new land. Abraham was a nobody special, from an insignificant town and he certainly did not have the credentials to be the leader of a great family. He didn't even have any kids!

Abraham did not have a map, a GPS or any indication of the real estate values in that part of the world. He probably had to listen to lots of criticism, skeptism and concerns as he shared his call with others. Some may have tried to talk him out of going. It may be that his calling made them uncomfortable. Were they embracing God's invitation in their own lives?  

As we know, Abraham had to wait a while to see God's blessings unfold. He had to live each ordinary day in faithfulness, journeying day by day toward the promise. There may have been weeks and months when he wondered when something dramatic was going to happen and the promises would begin to be visible. He persevered though, and became the father of a nation.

Can you relate to Abraham at times? Do you find yourself trying to follow God's direction in your life with seemingly ordinary results? Does it seem as if God's promises are delayed?

I am a nobody famous, from an insignificant town, trying to follow the call of God in my life to share His love and natural healing with others. Most days seem pretty ordinary; I talk with a few people, order a few products, write my blog for the day and continue to learn new skills. However, like Abraham, I know that my small, seemingly insignificant positive choices made moment by moment consistently over time will compound into something dramatic. I can help transform our culture of pain and suffering to one of vibrant health, one person at a time.

So hang in there. Keep making good choices, speaking positive messages to yourself, declaring God's promises, using natural products consistently, make good food choices, and you will see remarkable results in your life.  

What are some of the day to day positive actions that you are taking? Have you seen past choices compound for you in a way that can encourage us?

Share your comment and you can win on April 1!