My Vortex of Health

     My kids like to make fun of me because I call our house "My Vortex of Health"!! Every time my children would to go to school, go to an event in an enclosed space, spend time at a friends house; they would come back all sniffly and miserable. I would then spend the evening or weekend counter acting everything they came up against. Some things were easy to combat, some were not. However, all of the remedies required that I gave my children chemical concoctions colored by red dye no.5. I couldn't read 99% of the ingredients, and that made me uncomfortable. I have been working really hard this past year to strive for a more natural lifestyle. Even the kids that come to spend time at our house, bring with them a myriad of seasonal and environmental threats. I know I sound like a germaphobe, I am not. I know that some bad germs are necessary. A lot, are not! Believe me, I do not live in a pristine palace of cleanliness. I'm not that mom that walks around squirting hand sanitizer into everyone's hands, but I do have it on me! I just want my kids to enjoy their days as much as possible. Being under the weather puts a wrench into that plan. Then there is the missing school. No-one wants that to happen! This single mama needs a break! (Thank you to all the teachers out there!) But, we don't want to send kids to school sick either, that's probably what got them sick in the first place.
     So what's a Mama Bear to do? Create a Vortex of Health, of course! I am always learning new ways to protect ourselves from the beginning so less combating has to happen after. The key is to create a shield or barrier against all the crummies out there. I truly believe that good nutrition is the foundation of this shield, but when you don't feel well, your body seems to craves things that aren't good for you. Misery must really love company when it comes to health upsets! So it's a no brainer, to me, that feeling good from the jump leads to better nutrition and vice versa. It's the best kind of cycle to be trapped in! My second line of defense is, of course, with oils.
     To support our immune systems, I diffuse dōTERRA's On Guard blend. I always make sure to have a small spray bottle at the ready for scratchy throats and any surface that can hold on to the yuckies. I also keep a roller ball on hand with our Immunity Blend. It's a combination of On Guard, Lemon, Melaleuca, Oregano, and Frankincense oils with Fractionated Coconut Oil. We spread it on our throats and down our spines for best absorption and support. We have lots of tummy issues in our house that we work to keep in check with dōTERRA's DigestZen blend. I have also been testing out our new oil Copaiba (our BCP/CBD oil) and Peppermint to help with occasional discomfort. This has been helping my youngest son, who used to take a powder laxative supplement every day. At night, we diffuse dōTERRA's Breathe blend to open our airways. 'Tis the season for some low, dull head pressure; using dōTERRA's Past Tense offers quick relief. If some of the little devils do sneak their way into our systems, I make a wondrous concoction that I like to call a Sinus Bomb to bring it to it's knees!
     Since beginning to work with these natural remedies, I can report a remarkable increase in my family's ability to staying healthy! If we do wake up feeling less than, our time spent down is less and less. I feel better as a Mama Bear to be using all-natural products that I can pronounce. While I firmly believe that certain medicine's are useful and necessary in some treatments, I don't believe in the preventative stage is that place.
     Now my daughter always says, "Mom, so & so is going to come over. Please don't ask to put oils on her as soon as she gets here!" Hey, I can't promise anything!

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.”

Wedding Reception...a petrie dish of love and germs

     A Wedding Reception, what a glorious event. To celebrate the union of two souls in love is a many splendored thing.   When it is your best friend's wedding, it is even better! Whether you are a part of the wedding party or a guest, you are all a part of the same room full of people. Lots of hugs and kisses, hand shakes, close talking, and shared sneezes or coughs. This is the nature of the beast. We wouldn't forgo this wonderful celebration just because someone may come that can, in fact, get us sick.  
     What's a Mama Bear to do?  Well, protect herself and her family, of course!  My go to for this protection is always dōTERRA On Guard®. It is called our Protective Blend, after all! There was a scientific study performed, testing 12 separate cleaning products and it's ability to fight off all super bugs, dōTERRA On Guard® was one of the 12. The On Guard blend mixed with water was sprayed on a counter top surface.  One week later, there were still no germs found on the surface. With results like that, I feel confident in using it in every way possible.  With the new alcohol-free hand sanitizing spray, I never have to worry about not having a sink near by. There are usually a lot of sticky hands running around the reception room that like to touch everything and everyone in sight.  I also use it in a small spray bottle as a throat spray.  Our hands and mouths are our first line of defense as they are the first affected. Keeping my beadlets nearby so I am sure to protect myself internally as well as externally.  I make a roller ball blend with several other oils along with On Guard. It is called The Immunity Booster, but I call it Flu Bomb! That roller ball goes everywhere I go.  When I got home from my best friend's wedding last night, I felt the familiar scratch in the back of my throat and was sniffling.  I grabbed my dōTERRA On Guard® Throat Drops and settled in for the night. Upon waking this morning, not a scratch or sniffle in sight! 
     I try my best to be proactive in my approach towards my health.  I can best fight off the attacks if I am armed and have a shield of resistance. Diffusing it in my home really helps to keep our environment fresh and germ free. I also use the same spray bottle for my throat, on surfaces in my home.  From door handles, to counter tops, to upholstered furniture. The possibilities are endless.  So today, I am enjoying a much needed snowy day off, and not coughing and sneezing in bed instead.   
     The dōTERRA On Guard® product line is now comprised of 11 choices. This provides for a lot of protection! 

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

I Have A Dream...

     In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, I listened to his infamous speech 'I Have A Dream', as I always do.  Today, it stirred something new inside of me.  Maybe because of the changes that I have been going through, or maybe because of our current social climate.  I think it was mostly because I heard the news of Dolores O'Riordan's passing.  Her voice plays an integral part in the soundtrack of my life.  This news hit me hard. I have been listening to her all morning on YouTube. That alone has awakened things long dormant from my past. Love, pain, accomplishments, and loss. As a person that believes in the synergistic melody of life, it was fitting that I read this as I opened Facebook this morning. Allow me to share it with you:

   
     So what's a Mama Bear supposed to do with all of this?  Hash it out, I say. The me, AFTER. This is an amazing concept.  I have spent a lot of time trying to recapture the person I was, BEFORE. Before so many things. I think I actually have wasted a lot of time in  my life trying to make that happen.  It can't happen. It shouldn't happen.  Who I was before didn't have 4 beautiful children. Who I was before didn't have the knowledge I have today. Who I was before didn't have the same dream inside of her.
     Do you have a dream?  Something that wakes you up at night? Something that you think and talk about incessantly?  Something that you feel wakes up your soul? I do. It stirs in the pit of my stomach every time that I realize I am still not living it.  It is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing before bed.  It's like an elusive lover that taunts me day and night.  I have written it down, drawn up proposals, pulled it out and polished it up, put it away for safe keeping, and let it infect the inner resources of my brain.  That doesn't even cover the amount of times that I have subjected my children to "hear it all out" again and again and again. So why do I let this dream only stay inside?  What am I waiting for?  As I continue to tear down the walls I have built around my life, there are  less and less excuses that I believe. The fear that I have built up in my head does not warrant the time and energy I have given it. What if Martin Luther King, Jr. had given into his fear. His was real. He gave his life for his cause.  Have I been beaten down so much that I cannot get up this time?  I could play out all the scenarios and it always comes back to the same result. The time is NOW! The time is is NOW to get out of my own head. The time is NOW to leave a legacy for my children. The time is NOW to take control. The time is NOW for this DREAM to come alive!
     I leave you with these parting words from MLK. The first time I read this, it stopped me in my tracks. My spirit is very much alive!

Ouch...That's going to leave a mark! Or will it??

     I have terrible nails and teeth.  This is a fact about me, that if you see me in person, you know right away.  I have worked long and hard to fix both.  When it comes to my nails, they will grow to a certain length and then tear at the quick.  The quick is right at the bed of the nail.  Boy, does it hurt.  I have tried taking biotin, gelatin treatments, and using strengthening nail polish or gel nail polish. None of it works for me.  So I wear acrylic nails.  It is the one luxury I allow myself, and we all know I don't get my hair done!  I do like them, they make my hands look more feminine.  I will use all the help I can get!  I also like the "me" time getting them redone gives to me.  The salon I go to is amazing and my nail guy is great.  I definitely no longer have the issue of my nails tearing anymore.  I really haven't had any issues with them.  Until 3 days ago.  As I reached to open the freezer to get something out for dinner later, I jammed my index finger into the handle.   Apparently, I hit it harder than I thought.  I woke up the next morning and it was swollen and throbbing. I can see the bruising where my natural nail has grown. I couldn't bend my finger.  Doing things has been interesting, especially typing.  It's amazing how much you use your index finger!
     So what's a Mama Bear to do? Time to start using all the things you have learned about natural remedies and get to work on healing this finger, of course.  I am a huge fan of Epsom Salts and, of course, Essential Oils.  The 2 of them together make the perfect marriage.  When most people think of this pairing, they imagine some beautifully scented Bath Salts.  What that tranquil soak does for you goes way beyond some peaceful moments, happy olfactory glands, and loosened muscles.  Some of the key benefits achieved from using Epsom Salts range from relieving pain and muscle cramps, to easing stress, to preventing blood clots, to removing toxins. It really is an underappreciated mineral.  If you don't have a bag in your home, get one!  Depending on the Essential Oil you use, the benefits are endless.  Lavender is very popular one and even added right into the mix for purchase. Its benefits include eliminating nervous tension, pain relief, disinfectant for scalp and skin, enhancing blood circulation, and treating respiratory problems. An oil that is easily overlooked is Lemongrass. This is the one I used. Its ability to relieve muscle pain, kill bacteria, and reduce body aches and fever were enticement enough to catch my eye while looking for a remedy. I also used our proprietary blend called Deep Blue.  This blend is made up of  Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile. This is a staple in our home.
     This is the method I used.  I took a small bowl and mixed the Epsom Salts with a small amount of water to make a paste like mixture.  I added the Lemongrass to the mix.  I took a paper towel and folded it to the length of my finger.  I placed my finger about a third of the way to the middle and coated my finger with this paste.  I then wrapped the towel around my finger tightly.  I did this twice, leaving it on my finger 20 minutes each time that day.  I then used 1 drop, after each time, of Deep Blue directly on to the nail.  The lemongrass helped with the swelling and the Deep Blue helped with the pain.
     As much I use and believe in Essential Oils, I am always pleasantly surprised when they work better than I hoped for.  And so much faster! I woke up yesterday with no pain or bruising in sight. I don't fear that my nail will fall off, which usually happens with trauma and bruising to the nail bed.  It's definitely what happened when I dropped an iron on my big toe over 15 years ago.  Boy, I wish I had known all this back then! I am just so thankful that I know it now.  Now that the swelling and pain are gone, I feel confident in getting my nails fixed.  Just in time, as I am in a wedding next weekend!  This recent remedy just adds to the list of how essential oils have changed my life and how I care for my family.  I am so grateful!

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

Did I just figure out my WHAT?!

     I was introduced to the world of AA last year when a close friend of mine joined.  Well, technically introduced to the edge of the world of AA. They are a very exclusive group, as they should be.  I believe it is a fantastic organization doing wonderful work. I have heard about the successes of the 12 step program they follow. I'm pretty sure all of us know the Serenity Prayer.  I don't really know much about it other than that.  While everyone's path along these steps will always remain individual, the bond shared in the journey remains strong and devout.    
      So, what happens to those of us that need that kind of guidance back from the edge but don't have the specified addictions to become a member? What if you are addicted to the pain inflicted into your life?  What if something knocked you off your trajectory and you couldn't find your way back? What about those of us that struggle in silence with our issues because not one single element defines our pain?  What if you haven't been clinically diagnosed with depression and don't have the means to seek private counseling?   What if our outlets weren't drugs or alcohol, but self-loathing, isolation, eating, shopping, and about 1000 other things that aren't categorized as these group worthy "addictions"? What if we are just alone and overwhelmed?

     I decided to look into what they steps were and how they pertained to my needs in moving myself passed my pain.
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. ~ I can replace the word alcohol here with about 10 other words and this speaks volumes to me.
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. ~ I believe there are a lot of us that feel the same way I do, and that feeling is that we have been left alone or forgotten about. Some of us need help back to realizing we are not alone.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. ~ I know from personal experience that being led back to God is not a straight path. I also know, for me, that it's a very personal relationship and is not easily defined by any formalized religion. 
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. ~ Whew, this is a big one.  I am assuming this is a big one in AA as well. To go down that well, to trust that you will emerge and not fall into a sea of despair when you begin is definitely something you need a guide for. When you feel alone and isolated and angry at the world, you make a lot of mistakes.  
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. ~ This one goes along with #4 for me. A biggie. There are some things I have never admitted out loud to another living soul. So I carry that burden around with me every day. 
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. ~ Letting Go. Simple, yet difficult. 
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. ~ I would think this would be a difficult step as well, since most of us are defined by our story. Our story of pain, being wronged, of feeling justified to do the things we have done. We would also have to forgive ourselves and not believe we deserve those shortcomings any longer. 
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. ~ There's that well again. I would assume that everyone finds themselves on their own list. 
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. ~ What an ultimate healing step. I think this step should also specify that you need to prepare yourself for not being forgiven. 
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. ~ Living with intention is what comes to mind when I read this step. This is something I have worked for, for a very long time.  Now reading the steps that precede it, I now understand why I haven't gotten there yet. 
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. ~ Laying down my pain. Actually walking through life without it. Living my life as it was actually intended. Amazing. 
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. ~ To be honest, I feel as though I had a spiritual awakening just reading through these steps.  Light and heavy all at the same time. A burning passion stirring inside. 

     Wow. Just, Wow.  

     I have decided to work through these steps, as it pertains to my needs.  Taking an inventory of your life is an amazing experience.  I felt it on a small scale when I sat down with a Life Coach recently. We sat down and hashed out some life and business goals.  That was looking forward.  To be honest, as much as we may ever plan, until we look backwards we will always hold ourselves back. The key is, of course, to then let it go. So far, I feel it is going well.  I am alone on this journey and realize this is why they are passionate about their sponsors.  

     While watching Super Soul Sunday one day On-Demand, I came across an episode with Brené Brown.  She is a writer of books 'Rising Strong ', 'Daring Greatly', and 'I thought it was  just me' to name a few. She stated that her focus was to begin a global conversation about the experiences that bring meaning to our lives – courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. That statement really struck a chord within me.  I thought long and hard about what kind of global conversation I would like to create. I believe the answer reveals the heart of our passion or WHY.  Those of you that know me well, or have read my other entries, know that I have a wicked crush on Simon Sinek, the writer of 'Start With Why'.  I am extremely passionate about finding your WHY. Finding my WHY has made a huge difference in moving myself forward.  The next steps are then finding your WHAT and HOW. As I sat down to write this entry, I began in one place and ended in another.  That's usually the way self discovery goes, but we seem to never brace ourselves for that, do we? 

     So what's a Mama Bear to do now?  I believe my next logical steps are to create something that I always needed. They say 'Necessity is the Mother of Invention'. I am very passionate about single moms (single parents, really). I am mostly passionate about the effects this status has on their families.  I am also very passionate about nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle.  I have done a lot of research and learning in these areas.  For the people that find themselves in a stressful, financially dire, and unsupported situation with their single parenthood, I want to offer a way out of that quagmire. I felt like I have floundered for years. There are a lot of poor decisions that are made when you are pushed into a corner.  Unhealthy eating is a big one, either done out of lack of funds or pure exhaustion. Time spent away from your children as your try to provide all they need.  Not being able to offer extra-curricular activities either because you can't afford them, or you cannot get them to all the practices and games or shows.  Not being able to move yourself forward in a career or business venture that would be able to provide better choices for your family because you cannot give the time required, cannot pursue the schooling needed to advance, or cannot produce the funds to make your dream happen. These are just a few things that come to mind when I think about the needs out there.  Believe me, I could go on for days with a list!  What this whole thing looks like is hard to explain.  I see it all perfectly in my head, I even have a building picked out.  I know, for sure, that the necessity is there.  
     Now let's get to work on the HOW.  

State of Emergency

     These last 2 months have been a whirlwind of emotion, busyness, and eye opening experiences.  I have written 3 other entries that seemed to each fall by the wayside. As my birthday happened, the holidays crept up quickly, and the end of the year drew near I couldn't seem to focus on one single thing. I think I wasn't allowing myself  any introspection until I really had the time to do it properly.  Once all of the holiday stuff was taken care of, I could finally sit and take it all in. Yesterday became that day.  I can't guarantee it will all make sense, but I do guarantee it needed to come out!
     I found out recently that a previous neighbor of mine was killed suddenly in a car accident.  It was shocking on many levels. She, her husband, and kids were that family that were just generally happy.  Nothing flashy about them, just pure unadulterated love for each other.  They went through their days as a solid unit. They were nice to all they met, just all around good people.  So, when she and her 3 year old perished in the accident, it shook me to my core. It really all can be over in an instant.  I can't imagine how hard this Christmas was for him and their eldest son. It really made me then think hard about people that get notified of something like that or a health scare diagnosis and turn their life and health around.  What do we all wait for?  We all know our mortality is a fact. We are all in a State of Emergency. Or, at least, we should be.
     What am I waiting for?  A dire diagnosis? A notification about a family member after it's too late?I already know what getting a cancer diagnosis feels like. It may not have been for myself, but as a parent, that feeling is the same.  I knew the changes that needed to happen instantly for my son.  So why not me?  Did I need to hear those words directed towards me to be effective?  I know that my body is not healthy. I know that my mind is not clear.  I know I am not happy with the way things are.  I decided, I am not waiting any longer. I am giving myself that notification and dire diagnosis today. I can give it a scary name, but I'm not sure it needs one.  For now we will simply call it out for exactly what it is.  I have Inflammatory Disease and someone I love is dying from it as well.  This is the leading cause of 99% of all fatal diseases, so that name is scary enough to me.  If I stay the current path I am on, I am looking at a lifetime of joint and muscular pain, a plethora of prescriptions for daily consumption, more prescriptions to counteract the original ones, possible heart attack, possible stroke, cancer. Take your pick, So there it is. My diagnosis. Consider me notified. Now is time for my State of Emergency flag to go up and signal the need for change.
     So, what' a Mama Bear to do with that news?  Well, make changes of course.  I wouldn't currently be in the condition I am in today if making those changes were easy.  I'm not going to kid myself that it will be all sunshine and daisies from here on out.  But, I do believe that this is the first time I really acknowledge the need for real change. I have built an amazing support system around me and am expanding my knowledge each day.  I am more mindful than ever of my choices and how they affect my future.  I'm not here to convince anyone that my way is the best way.  I am not following one person's suggestions.  I am using all of the things that feel authentic to me and know that is the right way for me. I am beginning a cleanse on the 8th, I joined a gym, daily meditation, yoga, essential oils, and I am committing to a Pescatarian diet once my cleanse begins.  Those are just a few things to begin my new journey. I am open to sharing my journey with anyone that wants to join in.  I believe wholeheartedly in accountability and information sharing.
      Over the past 2 weeks, I have been asked several times what my word for 2018 is.  After some work that I did with a Life Coach, I landed on Authentic.  Last year my word was Worthy.  That worked out fabulous for me! I believe it is time for me to get back to the basic core of who I am.  A lot of twists and turns, jaded experiences, and improper intimidation made me dull my shine.  I molded myself into someone that I thought people wanted me to be. They all kept leaving me. And I kept getting unhealthier as a result.  I thought I did it for them.  I was wrong.  Now, the right people are sticking around.  I believe it will only get better from here.  I still need to work on being comfortable in my own skin.  That doesn't have anything with being a size 6 for me.  That may never happen again.   And, that's ok. Being healthy, interesting, active, curious, and my best self is the end result that works for me.
     I wish you all the things for 2018 that make your heart swell, your pulse rapid, and sets your soul on fire!