To balm or not to balm...

Health is partly in how you feel, so why is it that some things that feel healthy really aren't?  Let's take lip balm for instance.  Great product, when done right.  It helps chapped lips to recover from the elements they are exposed to like wind, sun and cold.  However, when you add ingredients like preservatives, salts, petroleum products and even menthol, you may end up drying the lips further.  Many of the ingredients that feel so thick and smooth while being applied, are really the same ingredients that will later cause problems.  Lesson learned? - Like all good things, be informed, and read those labels!  Our lips, skin, and hair like the soothing things of nature, but not in a shiny chemical package.

Next, water.  Learn to like it, add lemons, honey, limes, orange, cucumber, whatever!  But, make sure you know what's already been added, too.  Most water supplies have levels of chemicals or contamination that the municipalities deem at safe levels, but safe can be relative.  Don't stop drinking your water, but learn what you can about where it comes from and what it goes through.  I have 3 preferred methods myself for water: 1 - I get bulk water from a local supplier who uses a 3 step UV and osmosis recycle system.  I also get a lower price by purchasing a punch card.  2 - I love my GE system for under my sink, it's complete, small and easy to install.  3 - I also have a filtration system in my fridge, works fine for most of the time.  I do purchase bottled water for some occasions, but I also know what it takes to produce those, so we have quite a few reusable bottles in our home for everyone.

Immune boosters - I will cover more about this in a while when we talk about people's experiences with major illness.  That being said, it's flu season.  What do you know about what's on your shelves?  Just a quickie for me... vitamin D (almost no one gets enough), vitamin C, spirulina, and Oscillococcinum
Side note: Eucalyptus essential oil and hazelnut carrier oil are on sale at Mountain Rose Herbs this month.

Fitness Goals

I promised it would be forthcoming, and here it is. Suggestions for your fitness goals. First I'd like to begin by raving about help. GET HELP! (hehe) Workout with a friend, having someone you're accountable to, or use an online program. There are a BUNCH of online things that are starting right now and reward you for doing well. YES, bonus! Here are some that I've tried before and are available now.

Self with Jillian
Body By Glamour
Special K

If that isn't your route, know that success in fitness goals will always get easier with time.  There is no best time to work out in my experience.  The experts tell people not at night because they don't sleep as well, but in my years of helping people, some people do experience the extended adrenaline of moderate workouts or endorphins interrupting sleep, but others who work out at lower intensity just after work do exceptionally well.  I have worked with athletes who just have to discover what works for them, and I, along with any other non-athletic types, have the same objective.  To find what works with your own body and family schedule, though, will require inital flexibility. 

Finding where should be easier, some can only be motivated in a gym, others prefer the privacy, or cost of doing it from home.  I've had a number of successful experiences with both.  Here's a video that my DH and I just started with.  It's pretty awesome for the different levels and required time, but DH adds that Jillian doesn't know when to stop talking. 


Keep in mind that the best fitness goals incorporate the triangle of fitness, stretching, strength and cardio.  Cardio should be 5 times a week with a raised heartrate, great calculator here.   Strength is at least 3 days a week of targeted strength workouts.  Stretching, I believe, should be incorporated into every single day.  I will post later a wide range of stretches for various health purposes. 

So, to sum up, do it, find what works, tell or work out with a friend, and vary your workouts.  Simple enough, just have to find the time and motivation.  More on that later.  :)

First Herbal Post

Sorry that it's been 2 days, I've had my darling 3 year old with a fever that's been going to over 105 for the past 3 days. This brings me to my first post about herbs and natural remedies that I have learned. This is in no way a complete list and if you'd like more information or ideas, let me know. Keep in mind that cold symptoms (or strep and UTI symptoms which is what my daughter has) have a purpose. The fever is the body's way of creating a hostile environment for the virus or bacteria, the congestion and swelling, is to protect the body and bring needed nutrients and immune fighters to the area. That being said, here are some ideas that I have personally tried with success and recommend.

Garlic, echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc are common cold fighters. They all can help to varying degrees for different things. Ginger, cayenne and honey work well to help with conditions of the throat or digestive tract.

For herbal tea treatments (not black tea, just steeped herbs) I highly recommend elderberry and marshmallow root. They taste good together and help aid the body in immune restoration. Turmeric and elderberry can also be taken in pill forms, but I don't recommend the root in pill form, I haven't had as many good experiences with it like that. I love marshmallow root and try to have it on hand at all times if possible. White willow bark is an excellent anti-inflammatory if that is more of the issue. Calendula and Yarrow root can also be great, but watch for sensitivities with these.  I use calendula cream for many things including burns, bites, and rashes.

Marshmallow Root

Mountain Rose Herbs Marshmallow Info




For aromatherapy, I recommend tea tree (a natural antiseptic), peppermint (dilator), eucalyptus, and spruce (pain relief).

Keep in mind this is not a complete list, just things that I use regularly for myself or my clients. As always, to aid your body's natural health, sleep 7-9 hours each night, get plenty of water (learn how you like it), and take in wholesome foods. See you tomorrow!

Going to waste... and smiles

I like the reflection, it's bringing some interesting things to mind.  It's funny that sometimes we do something just so it doesn't "go to waste".  It's important to make sure that when we don't want something to go to waste that the alternative isn't wasteful either.  Eating something, buying something, or doing something we don't really want can be a tremendous waste.  Our time, energy and health are precious commodities.  Let me give you a couple of examples.
My kids don't eat all of their dessert, but it's the homemade pie that we made, so I finish it off.  Is that really saving food?
Or, I've seen great deals on small bottles of concentrated detergent.  I have 2 detergents that my family use regularly, one organic, the other regular, but if I buy one of the small concentrated bottles am I saving money or the planet?  A small plastic bottle that won't biodegrade and minimal detergent until I have to drive to the store again. 
Or, if I spend the extra few minutes to finish a game or book and not have to save it or carry it around longer and I miss tucking my kids in, what was wasted?

In some cases it's worth it to save waste, in some it depends on my personal circumstance, and in others, it's just about changing my views. 

For those of you wondering I've included a link to our favorite organic detergent.


So what do you think?  How can we avoid waste and still prioritize what's most important?  Let me know your thoughts!

Remember to smile, it releases endorphins, uses more muscles, and improves all those who see it. Happy day!

This was fun, want to appear as a Covergirl? Check this out.

A begrudging thought

I should have warned you about this yesterday, it's a great side effect of conscious breathing, but can also require personal will.  I did my conscious breathing last night before bed, which I recommend as a great reflective time. 
As a side note, I also recommend having a notebook beside your bed each night to write down ideas, thoughts and things you remember in the evening.  It helps you to obtain better sleep because you can write them down and then let them go. 
Anyway, while breathing I was thinking about what to discuss on my blog and how to illicit ideas from others.  If you've read my profile on here, or if you know me, you know that I love hearing other people's stories.  I love learning what they know, and I love to listen to them.  I wanted my blog to help me to learn more about health and well-being for myself, share what I learn and know, and learn from the readers.  This was a great reflection until I awoke with a start at 4am this morning, unable to go back to sleep, because I realized that I was not helping my kids to be as healthy as they should.  I know parents sometimes overlook the behaviors and attributes of their children out of love, but sometimes I know that we also need to look at those things.
My new appointed task for today, and hopefully in the coming weeks to be carried out, is to find ways to help my kids be healthier.  I want them to make better food choices, not just because I set the example or because some are available, but because I make it easy and important for them. 
I welcome, even beg for, your ideas. 
See you tomorrow.

First Monday 2011

The real week is beginning.  This is when resolutions, and constitutions meet.  A new year of believing that I can be healthier, happier and better.  I worked out last night, AND I started a new book today. CHECK!  I heard from a friend that she prefers a word for the year as opposed to an actual resolution.  It becomes like an affirmation or mantra and helps you to focus your goals and activities accordingly.  Sounds great to me. 

Health tip for the year number one - Breathing.  Yoga stresses it's importance so if you practice yoga it's a part of what you do.  For the rest of us, (or even those yogi's that haven't mastered it) breathing is an integral part of health.  When doing massages for people who are rebuilding strength, we do some intensive work together.  It makes great progress, but I remind them, if you feel like you need to hold your breath, it's too much.  Sometimes stress, emotions, or illness changes our breathing, but it's one of our greatest resources that's always around.  Conscious breathing can help lower blood pressure, lower stress hormones, and even reengage your metabolism helping your energy levels. 

This week start a habit of breathing deeply for 5-10 minutes.  Let me know where your mind goes, it's a most fascinating journey.  See you tomorrow, and keep emails and comments getting started!

Happy New Year 2011

Read my two December posts if you haven't, and let me know what you think!  I'd love to hear what YOU are working on, and I'd love your input and ideas for 2011.  This year is will likely see people while recovering from the economic stress by seeking personal growth.  In a state of recovery people will be refocusing on home, health, and those things that will help them prepare for what's next.  Along those lines, I have decided on my resolution. 

I resolve to seek and overcome fear.  In this past year I have felt overwhelmed, lost, and alone at times, in the coming year I will actually seek for gratitude, hope and ideas when having those feelings.  I will seek to learn more, do more, and experience more.  I will reach out to others and overcome my own feelings of fear.  I will appoint time to read something new, meet someone and learn about them, and make a time each month to reflect on every blessing in my life. 

Check this song out, it's kind of a fun thinking about what we "should" be doing and what we can be doing. 

So everyone, here's to what we CAN be doing!  Let's make the most of this year!  Yea, 2011!