Short compilation video of the pictures and videos I took yesterday.
Joy,
Cheryl
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New Year, new you. What’s the hype about the new diet alternative?
Getting healthy should be a main concern for all of us if we are to live lives that are happy and full of energy. I want to address the recent conversation regarding a new alternative to dieting. Folks, there’s nothing new here, just common sense. Our brains need fat for optimal functionality. That’s no secret. But most people think that gorging on bacon is healthy because they try to follow a Paleo diet. A meat and veggies approach seems more plausible than a high protein / high fat diet with much of its fat derived strictly from meat sources.
Here is what could be deemed as a way of eating that most are now calling alternative. I avoid using the term diet as much as possible because the word has such negative connotations.
The alternative is to add more healthy fats to your diet. Coconut oil, avocado, olives and olive oil. Because the old rule of less calories, more exercise doesn’t work, more people are finding that all calories are not created equally. I have first-hand experience as I’ve been loading up on organic veggies, adding the good fats for extremely high calorie meals and losing weight as a bonus. No longer do we want to burn sugars as our main source of energy. Low-glycemic fruits such as berries help sustain a balance. Foregoing grains as much as possible also helps. I eliminate sugar as a rule, so no baked goods for me. Free range eggs are an excellent source of protein as are free range chicken, turkey and wild caught fish. Lowering the amount of red meat is helpful too, but I will occasionally indulge in grassfed beef.
Dairy products are questionable. For some of you, try eliminating cheese or ice cream for a few days to see if your body has issues with them. Add them back in to notice any changes. I find that dairy can cause my body to create more mucus than desired, and the salt content in cheese can be extremely high and will cause bloating and weight gain. Check it out for yourself. Some people who are lactose intolerant understand some of the side effects. It’s best that you determine for yourself if dairy is a good option for you.
I also add in raw nuts and seeds in my eating plan to stay happy. I keep a small amount in my purse for use in situations when I need a snack and a healthy choice is not readily available. In this way my need to crunch is satisfied, and I don’t reach for potato chips. I’ll add nuts and seeds to green drinks or smoothies. Keep in mind that most smoothie recipes or ones you’re likely to find in commercial arenas are filled with sugar. I don’t know about you, but I find that sugar is hard to eliminate because it is added to most foods. I find it in the most unexpected places. Take a look at a commercial tomato sauce ingredient label sometime. Better yet, look at all food labels. That’s a great habit to get into. Swap out rice for quinoa, a seed that adds a protein punch and compliments many meals.
Keep in mind, the closer your food is to its original state is best. The alternative way of eating does not allow for those processed items placed into colorful boxes on grocery shelves. Remember, there is no such thing as junk food. You can either eat Junk or you can eat Food. Pick food. Eat clean.
Try incorporating some of these suggestions this year. You’ll be happier! Smiles, and good luck to you in the new year and new you!
Feel free to ask questions in the comment area.
Joy,
Cheryl
For many, a new year means resolutions: Lose weight, make more money, or something else that screams ‘needs improvement.’ Loads of self-help and goal-setting materials are abound to establish the feeling of inadequacy.
I decided to be me this year. It might be a better version of me by the end of 2017, but nevertheless, it will be me despite a new job, my weight, my relationships, my haircut, or how much money I have in the bank.
Why? Because manifesting anything comes from allowing the universe to do what it does best. I’m tired of pushing for what I desire when I know the universe has an abundance of those things in store. Often, I need to look back and see what each year brings. And more often if I want to recognize all the blessings around me.
Reflection, not Resolution should remain our focus. Be grateful for what has come to fruition during the past year. An attitude of gratefulness sets the universe in action so we can receive the new things we desire in the future. Put intentions out there. Speak of them loud and clear. Aim for concise thoughts and allow the cosmos to work.
May 2017 be the year of manifestation in your life. Happy New Year! 🍾
Cheryl
2017
Ah, peppermint. Where do I start?
You might have a love relationship with peppermint if you put it in some water to boost digestive health and relieve gas symptoms.
You might have a love relationship with peppermint if you rub it into your temples when you have a headache, or onto the back of the neck to boost athletic performance or to help relieve stress.
Do you diffuse it into the air to help with mental clarity? Or do you add it to your toothbrush for fresher breath?
Peppermint is so versatile. I like to add it to homemade chocolate or chocolate brownies.
I like to add it to my natural homemade room spray. It pairs well with purification for a homemade bug repellent, another featured oil in this series.
My mother grew this plant in the yard while I was growing up. I loved grazing on the leaves. Later, in my own yard, I was surprised to find out that it’s quite an invasive plant. Be careful to try to limit its root system to a contained space. It will take over. The oil, therefore, can be less expensive than the others. Aim to find the best quality available.
Peppermint tea has been around for years. Make your own by adding a drop of 100% pure therapeutic grade oil marked as a supplement to hot water for the best results.
Remember that in order for these oils to work in your favor, their use must be coupled with a healthy lifestyle. Don’t expect to go out and eat fast food, then come home and try to remedy poor, unhealthy habits. You simply will not reap the benefits. And like many herbal supplements, oils must be used daily to enhance the great health you’re looking for.
Enjoy Earth Day.
Joy,
Cheryl
Oh, my stomach…..
What did you eat last night at that unfamiliar restaurant that caused you so much discomfort the whole night through? Not sure? I’ve been there too. Traveling in new places and dining out can expose your system to unforgiving foods, or just ways those foods are prepared cause tummy issues.
It’s essential to ask the server how your food is prepared; however, even the simplest item on the menu can cause indigestion. What do you do? When I was growing up, my mother gave me some disgustingly thick, pink fluid with a wintergreen flavor. I think that stuff made my stomach issue even worse. Eventually, that same company had to reformulate their product because some children grew extremely ill from taking it. It’s best not to run to the nearest drug store; here’s why:
This is a list of the natural items those commercial companies based their products on but chose to take the chemical route instead: Essential oils of tarragon, juniper, anise, ginger, fennel, patchouli, peppermint, and lemongrass make up Young Living’s DiGize, an all natural, non-toxic way to optimize your digestive system.
Most of you might know that ginger on its own is helpful, but often found in a sugary drink like ginger ale. Sometimes ginger tea is available. Tarragon, fennel, juniper, and lemongrass are known for digestive and flatulence relief. Anise aids in irritable bowel syndrome. Historically, patchouli is a natural diuretic that enables the body to quickly move the problem out of the system. Peppermint helps to relieve the heartburn.
The combination in DiGize essential oil is unsurpassed by any over-the-counter drug you might find. Used regularly, one will find optimal, normal digestion. Use two drops in liquid in the evening after a meal, or in the morning. You may also add 1-2 drops to a vegetarian capsule and take with a meal. Use daily to prevent digestive mishaps at home or while traveling.
Joy,
Cheryl
As you have read through this series, I hope you’ve come to recognize the benefits of essential oils and how they can help you and your loved ones choose a healthier way.
To obtain your Premium Starter kit, and start to live a non-toxic lifestyle, go to http://www.youngliving.org/cheryl9059.
Sometimes the air conditioning units in hotels just make my nose stuffy. That is when I reach for RC, Young Living essential oil. RC is a blend of oils known to help with allergies, sinus issues, and colds. Basically, RC stands for Respiratory Conditions. This blend of eucalyptus, myrtle, marjoram, and pine (among others) is the best oil to carry while traveling because it not only helps calm the muscles around the sinuses, it helps to open up the airways, a must for sleeping at night. I say it acts much like the commercial chest rubs without the petroleum oils that seep into our systems. The scent is much lighter too. Diffuse and apply to the chest and back for the best benefit. This oil can be applied to the bottoms of the feet of younger folks or added to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over the head and inhale for sinus relief.
Joy,
Cheryl
Lemon!
One of my most favorite essential oils is lemon. It’s so versatile.
Because it tastes so fresh, it helps me get my daily recommended quota of water everyday. I don’t know about you, but there are days I just struggle to swallow 64 oz of the stuff. It can be outright bland.
Lemon, makes my water a treat. And, gosh, if you own one of those Soda Stream machines, you’ve got yourselves an amazing substitute for all that sugary soda we drink. When I want to get a little fancy, I will add a drop or two of lime essential oil as well.
I don’t miss the sugar, and I stay hydrated.
I keep a small bottle of lemon in my purse, so whenever I’m out at a restaurant, I just add a drop of lemon oil, especially in places where the water doesn’t taste so good.
While less exotic as some essential oils, this one does have its perks. Besides its taste, lemon oil, and most other citrus oils, are invigorating. Lemon is known for its d-limonene content, 68%. Used daily, it can help dissolve gallstones, relieve heartburn and reflux, and counteract against different types of cancer (Sun, 2007). Lemon is a commonly used flavoring in food and juices. I add the essential oil to my freshly baked fish, baked goods, in salads, and my morning smoothie knowing I’m getting the added benefits of d-limonene.
Many people question whether this oil will have an adverse effect on sensitive teeth. The answer is simple. The oil is much different from the juice. It’s pH neutral. Lemon juice is acidic at about 2.3 pH which equals about 5% acidity. The oil, on the other hand is made strictly from the rind and skin.
75 lemons are distilled to make one 15ml bottle of Young Living Essential Lemon oil. The result is a highly concentrated oil and safe for consumption.
If you’re ready to ditch the chemicals for a toxic free home, lemon oil can help. You’ve probably already noticed that the commercial products for polishing furniture use the scent of lemon. The synthetic oil is not the same. Why not make your own? This is exciting – add one or two drops of lemon to a tsp of coconut oil on a soft cloth. Not only will the wood shine, but the house will smell incredibly clean. Don’t forget to diffuse the lemon oil to purify the air too.
A 15ml bottle of lemon oil contains 250 drops making this oil economical. Brace yourself. The retail price of YL Lemon oil is less than $15.00. It’s included in the Premium Starter kit as well. Once you purchase the kit, your cost will be lower since members receive 24% off all products.
Think about the money saved here. You are sure to find so many uses for Lemon oil. It’s also a main ingredient in the immune building oil, Thieves.
Another great advantage to diffusing Lemon is its uplifting effects and as an aid in concentration. So much better than caffeine, I am more alert when working from home or while I’m at the office. Even if you’re not close to a place to plug in a diffuser, just rub a drop into the palms of your hands and cup them over your nose while inhaling deeply for the same effect. Wow.
I don’t want to forget to mention that while it seems that detoxing is the latest craze in weight loss, the lemon oil does help flush the system effectively and aids with normalizing digestion. That’s really what detoxing means. The goal is to help your body do its job – eliminate the harmful toxins that are ingested each day. These toxins aren’t just what is consumed by mouth. Toxins are in the air we breathe and the stress we accumulate over time. Removing toxins is just one step toward weight loss and mental clarity. Who wouldn’t want that?
Yes, this post has a lot of information, but I hope you’re just as excited about using lemon oil as part of your daily supplemental routine as I am. For information on how to order, use http://www.youngliving.org/cheryl9059.
Joy,
Cheryl
Reference :
Sun, J. (2007). D-limonene: Safety and clinical applications. Alternative Medical Review, 12(3), 259-264. Retrieved from http:/ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Travel with Frank – Frankincense, that is.
Frankincense (Olibanum) is one of the most widely known essential oils, and for good reason. Used as currency and trade for centuries, as early as 500BC, its original form was resin which was burned as incense in many rituals and ceremonies, and during embalming to cover the scent of the dead. Most people remember this oil from the Bible. It was one of the gifts the three Kings gave to Jesus at his birth (or shortly thereafter).
Grown in Oman, the people have used frankincense for basic necessities in the household, religious ceremonies, and medicine for centuries. Common uses in the home include driving insects away, as a toothpaste, a deodorant, and as a flavoring in food. Interestingly, its more common use was medicinal. I’ve heard it called the father of all oils. Perhaps it received the name because of the variety of ailments frankincense was used to treat.
On my recent vacation, I used frankincense on my toothbrush. It has a pleasant taste. I also added a drop in some water for indigestion. I was pleased with the results. If you have a high quality, pure essential oil, this one is considered safe for consumption and can be used as a dietary supplement. And if, according to Hippocrates, “Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”, people can ward off many illnesses just by consuming natural herbs, food, and essential oils.
Hey ladies, I also discovered that if I rub some of the oil into my skin after shaving, I have less bumps near the bikini area. Men, you might try this oil as an aftershave.
Women have used the oil as an addition to cosmetics. In fact, I remember reading something about Cleopatra’s eye-liner coming from the burned resin. In modern days, it’s added as a main ingredient in products to help reduce wrinkles. I have been using it to clear an occasional bout of acne.
I don’t want to forget to mention that frankincense can be diffused into the air during meditation or yoga practice. Our senses connect the exotic fragrance of the Holy oil with the creator to uplift the spirit during the meditation practice.
The idea here is to do your research. Find the best quality oils available; look for 100% pure, therapeutic-grade oil marked as a supplement. Frankincense has never been cheap. If you find a 15ml bottle less than 30 or 40 dollars, chances are the oil is not pure. In this case you would only hurt yourself.
A common dose is 1 drop of oil to 1 Tbsp of honey or in 4 oz. of water or almond milk. Under 6 years of age is not recommended.
Used wisely, you will find this oil is a treasure. Invest in yourself and use frankincense. You will not be sorry.
Joy,
Cheryl
Reference
The story of Frankincense. (n. d.). Middle East Institute. Retrieved from http://www.mei.edu/sqcc/frankincense
Longing for a break? Stress Away Essential oil to the rescue!
The stress that comes with the demands of the classroom and life can wreak havoc on the immune system. Chronic stress, the flight or fight response present without an actual physical threat, does more damage to the sympathetic nervous system than we think. Perhaps it’s too bad a real threat doesn’t show up on occasion; at least then we can expend that adrenaline for the cause. Without an imminent threat that is dealt with once and for all, we simply remain tense and stressed out to the point of exhaustion. This condition leads to inflammation and a weaker immune system.
Thank goodness there’s an oil for stress. Stress Away is the bonus oil in the Young Living Premium Starter kit. The company even throws in a free roller-ball for use on the go. Just roll onto the wrists or the back of the neck and let it go to work.
Stress Away is a blend of Copaiba, Lime, Cedarwood, Ocotea, and Lavender. Each has its own job. The Copaiba relieves muscle aches and pains, helps with inflammation, and lifts the mood. Lime is uplifting and aids in feeling refreshed and lively. Cedarwood has a calming effect on the nerves. Ocotea balances emotions so you do not lash out at others. Lavender promotes well being as it relaxes the body. Simply, this oil blend brings us back a more relaxed state to enable the body to cope with moments of stress.
Since we cannot often control stressful situations, we can change how we respond to them. Keep a bottle of Stress Away on hand at school, at work, in the car, and just about anywhere else to ease the body through even the most stressful times. It’s like Zen in a bottle. Ahhh.
Joy,
Cheryl
