Our 4th annual Guns ‘n Poses is in the books! This is my favorite event of the year…. it was a vision Terry (one of my bff’s) and I had 5 years ago, and each year it just gets better and better as we work to empower women in all the ways! Every year, the topic content is slightly different but three things remain the same:
yoga / stretching
💥 gun safety / marksmanship / confidence building with firearms
👩Health and wellness topics that are science based with a primary focus on self empowerment. #theapplicationofknowledgeispower We are the CEO’s of ourselves and our homes and as such, we need to learn how to run our “company” as efficiently and effectively as posssible so that we can live vibrantly and our “company” can thrive and prosper🙌. Living a life of “meh or okay-ness” is not how we are supposed to live according to the word of God.
We are always sold out at this event…. next year, our 5th annual, is already in planning stages and we are strongly considering a “retreat style” 2-3 day event. It’s time to kick it up a notch for year 5! 💥❤💥❤💥
About 4 years ago, I asked God to help give me a business plan/model that would honor Him, allow me to serve others using the gifts He has given me, and empower others to do the same.
The result was not so much a plan, but a daily🙏 prayer:
“Lord, bring me people who need healing… whether that be physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, or in community.” Each year, Guns ‘n Poses is a celebration and reminder for me, and hopefully, for others too, that God is faithful in all the ways if only we seek Him and come together in a supportive and loving community.
I am blessed beyond measure, and I hope that paying it forward inspires others to do the same. THIS is how we change the world😘.
xoxo~ liz
#caringissharing
#thanksYL
#4thannualGunsnPoses
#useyoursuperpowersforgood
Archives for October 2021
Digize for Colic in Horses!
It has been a few years since we’ve had a colicky horse. Colic in a horse isn’t like colic in a baby…. it is not unusual for a horse to die from it if not caught early and treated quickly.I lost my first horse I ever had when I left for college. He colicked the first semester I was gone and was unable to be saved.😥
The following post 👇is from a friend of mine who has a fantabulous holistic barn education group (it is a paid for group, but very reasonably priced— its called the Healing Barn Movement). She and her husband have many horses, and part of their life’s work is to teach other horse families how to “do equine life” toxin free both physically and emotionally (horses tend to mirror their humans).
And meet Donkey Boy, if you haven’t already! He’s one of our equine herd of 5 on our farm. We do life as holistically as possible out here too. Our farm-ily is most definitely healthier for it. I’ve managed animals both ways…. the holistically managed animals tend to live longer healthier more productive lives….. just as it is with humans😉.
xoxo~ Liz
If you’d like to learn more about Digize and other products I use on my farm-ily, let’s chat!)
Health Clues from Your Urine
What does your pee say about your health? Part I
Have you noticed that body fluids often take center stage in a crime scene? The same is true in a health detective scenario. A urinalysis may reveal such things as hyperglycemia, diabetes, kidney stones, blood in the urine, or a bacterial infection. Even without an official set of eyeballs and a urinalysis machine, the average Joe (or Jill) can still glean much from examining their “pee life”.
*Urine is a pretty interesting body fluid. As the body breaks down amino acids, ammonia (a potent toxin) is left over as waste. Ammonia is then broken down into urea (predominately by the liver), combined with water, and then flushed out of the body through the kidneys and bladder.
*Urine is 95% water & 5% urea combined with other solids. Those “other solids” typically contain over 3000 chemical compounds which result from daily exposure ……ie: what we eat or drink, drug byproducts, bacterial waste, household chemicals, skin care products, pollution, work related toxins, etc. As you might imagine, chronic exposure to some of these more nefarious compounds can cause some unpleasant effects on the kidneys and bladder over time. Thankfully, we have Young Living clean skincare, the Savvy makeup line, and the Thieves Household Cleaner which can eliminate many routes of daily toxin exposure.
*Urine color is an easy clue to observe. Ideally, urine should be a “pale lemonade” color. If the yellow color is any darker than this, it is usually a sign of dehydration. The more dehydrated a person is, the darker yellow the urine will be. Dehydration can be acute or chronic (often seen in the elderly), and can easily lead to brain fog, headaches, dizziness and constipation. Considering an estimated 75% of the USA population is chronically dehydrated, this may be a VERY IMPORTANT CLUE to monitor regularly.
*Red or pink urine may be a clue that there is blood in urine (Time to involve a health professional). Bear in mind, foods such as beets, blackberries, and rhubarb may turn urine pink in some people!
*Urine which has a brownish to orangish tinge may also reflect dehydration or an underlying liver condition. (Hint: if urine is dark and stools are light in color, the liver is likely struggling). There is a serious medical condition called rhabdomyolysis that can also cause this color change. Rhabo is caused by muscle breakdown in the body, and can happen as a result of a traumatic event, over exertion, or as a possible side effect from statins (a class of cholesterol lowering medications) and some of the newer vaccines. A medication called phenazopyridine will usually turn urine reddish orange as a non harmful side effect.
*Cloudy urine is often a sign of an impending urinary tract infection or kidney stones.
*Foaming or “fizzy” urine may indicate excess protein in the diet. If this type of urine is a regular occurrence, it may be time to bring it to the attention of your favorite healthcare professional.
If you’d like to show your 💛kidneys and bladder💛 a little extra love, let me introduce you to Young Living’s K&B liquid supplement. Those who know and use K&B love her well and do not want to imagine life without her!
*NingXia Red is another way to shower some serious love on your 💛kidneys and bladder💛 (as well as the rest of your body).
See you next week…. We’ll chat about the clues behind urine odor and frequent trips to the bathroom.
xoxo~ liz
#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicine
#whatismypeetellingme
#ThanksYL
Minerals are a MUST
Do you follow Jen O’Sullivan over in the FB group, “The Human Body and Essential Oils”? She drops great info on the science side. This particular post [f hers isn’t science-y… but it is super helpful!
Mineral Essence is a highly underused YL Supplement because:
1. Many people do not understand its value. (Most people walk around with mineral deficiencies and don’t know it… and the symptoms of a particular deficiency shows up and often gets labeled as something it’s not…. or the doctors scratch their heads and say, “We aren’t quite sure what’s wrong, but here’s a medication to mediate the symptoms”… never addressing the actual deficiency. Heavy sigh. The reality is that mineral deficiency is an enormous problem in the USA, and western medicine health professionals are given very little education about it unless they learn on their own.
2. Mineral Essence has an “interesting” taste😋.
I’m trying this recipe today! Who else wants to join me? ❤
xoxo~ liz
*********************
You know how Mineral Essence is an acquired taste? Well I haven’t quite acquired it just yet. 😆 My friend Patricia Paes shared her recipe and I’m now hooked!! Seriously! Let’s come up with a name for this one!
Glass full of ice.
One dropper of Mineral Essence.
One squirt of Jade Lemon Berry YL Vitality Drops + Energy.
3 drops Tangerine Vitality.
12 ounce of water.
Shake or stir and drink up!
It has such a refreshing taste!
Should we call it:
Energy Essence
Mineral Magic
Thank you, Patty!
Health Clues from Your Eyes – part 2
Before diving into a deeper discussion of all the clues our eyes give us, I wanted to issue a call to action. ⏰Do you have an ophthalmologist (MD) or doctor of Optometry (OD) that you see annually? Remember that the application of knowledge is not only power… it is also where wisdom is born. As is the case with regular lab work (which we will discuss at some point!), having professional insight into the health of your sight organs 👀provides invaluable clues to help you manage the rest of your body, thereby perhaps avoiding consequences later in life. When you go to your appointments, do not be shy about asking questions and taking notes! Additionally, any abrupt changes in the eyes should warrant an ASAP trip to your eye professional. If you have a relationship with yours, they will be more likely to see you quickly in cases of urgent need.
Secondly, be aware that any💊 medication 💊that affects neurological function may also affect vision and cause changes throughout the eye, including the cornea, optic nerve, lens, macula and retina. Some of these changes may be gradual or nearly instant and some may be temporary while others can lead to permanent vision impairment. I won’t be able to list all the medications because there are so many! If you suspect a medication may be partially responsible for an eye disturbance, do some digging and then talk to your doctor.
With that…. Let’s start unpacking more clues!
👀The appearance of slightly bulging eyes is a significant clue for a possible overactive thyroid that is also called Graves disease. Frequently, this disorder is ignited by exposure to environmental toxins in the home, workplace or in the water. Latent viruses such as Epstein Barr have also been implicated in playing a role in developing a chronically inflamed thyroid (leading to either hyper or hypo thyroid manifestation).
👀Another easy to spot clue from the peepers is a gray or whitish ring that is clearly visible around the cornea. The cornea is the lens that covers the “colored” part of the eyeball. Evidence of this ring usually indicates unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels and is a marker for increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
👀Droopy eyelids (ptosis) may be a be a genetic issue, especially if present at birth.
Eyelids that become droopy are the clue for this discussion. Medical conditions that can lead to droopy eyelids include:
👉Injury/trauma to head or eye
👉Decreased blood flow to either the eye or the area of the brain controlling the eye (a droopy eye may be an early stroke sign)
👉Diabetes. Remember that diabetes quietly becomes a vascular disease if not controlled.
👉Headache syndromes. (a visible manifestation of the headache)
👉Neuromuscular conditions
👉Myasthenia gravis. A droopy eyelid is often the first symptom of this autoimmune disease that is most commonly seen in people over the age of 50. It may be accompanied by occasional double vision, a hoarse voice, or weakness in the arms and legs.
👀Optic neuropathy simply means damage, disease, or dysfunction of the optic nerve. It may be caused by toxin exposure, infection, an autoimmune disorder, chronic inflammation, trauma, glaucoma, insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve, or use of certain medications including those used for erectile dysfunction and amiodarone, a medication used to control heart rhythm. Symptoms of optic neuropathy include pain in the face or eye socket, pain inside the eye, loss of peripheral vision, or sudden or gradual vision loss. Ophthalmologists and OD’s can detect inflammation of the optic nerve on routine eye exams. #makeanannualeyeappointment
👀Eyes that are painful, red and sensitive to light gives a vast set of possibilities. Given how “screen focused” our culture is, know that computer eye syndrome is a real thing! Give yourself regular breaks from screen time, and use blue light filter glasses when you are spending hours at a time in front of a computer or phone screen. Unmanaged, this can lead to eye strain or dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses for too long may have a similar effect.
👀If screens are not your eyes source of issue, other causes may need to be investigated. Chronic redness in the sclera (the white part of the eye) is linked to systemic inflammation throughout the entire body, and indicate a possible autoimmune disorder (ex: RA, psoriasis, or ankylosing spondylitis). If light sensitivity is accompanied by “halos” around light sources, get checked for glaucoma!
👀If your eyes sting, burn, or feel “gritty”, chances are, you are experiencing dry eyes. In fact, we have all probably had brief episodes of dry eyes after riding a bike, spent too much time in front of a computer, lived in an area with dry winter heat, or been on a plane for many hours in low humidity recirculated air. Chronic dry eyes have been linked to an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorders, Vitamin A deficiency, or taking certain medications known to cause dry eyes as a side effect. 💊Antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, beta blockers (heart/blood pressure), certain antibiotics, ibuprofen, birth control pills, and meds for bladder control💊 are some of the more common culprits.
👀Rapid onset eye inflammation / sensitivity is often a clue indicating infection or inflammation.
👀Blurred vision is another clue to take seriously. While the clue may be manifesting as an inconvenient or annoying visual impairment, dangerously high blood pressure or high blood sugar are causing problems quietly elsewhere in the body. An estimated 73% of diabetic patients have bouts of blurred vision. High blood sugar causes the lens within the eye to swell, causing the blurring. Certain medications may also contribute to blurred vision:
💊Alendronate (for osteoporosis/ osteopenia)
💊COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex and Mobic (for pain and inflammation)
💊Acetaminophen, ranitidine (stomach acid), and lovastatin (cholesterol) are just three very common medications that also carry warnings about their potential to blur vision.
👀Red itchy “allergy” eyes may indeed be allergy related. However, the same symptoms also occur in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Approximately 1.3 million Americans have this autoimmune disorder. The immune system begins attacking body tissue, and its focus is generally tissue heavily laden in collagen. The sclera (the white part of the eye) and the cornea are made up almost entirely of collagen, and the inflammation there mimics allergen exposure.
👀An eye twitch can be ever so bothersome, yet it’s an important clue too. Check yourself…. They are generally related to fatigue or stress. It may be time to rest and recover! Chronic eye twitching should signal a visit to a health professional as it can be an early sign of a neurological disorder.
👀Yellowed eyes are a sign that the liver is struggling… a classic sign of jaundice. This is another ASAP health professional moment.
👀“Floaters” are gray or black specks, strings or cobwebs that appear in vision. If you suddenly notice floaters, contact your eye specialist immediately. Certain medications are known to cause floaters. 💊, diphenhydramine (antihistamine), diltiazem (blood pressure), amitriptyline (mood), and alprazolam(anxiety)💊 are among those known to cause this.
As I write, I’m reminded again of the impact that chronic toxin exposure has on our bodies… all the way up to our eyeballs! The liver and other detoxifying organs do their level best to keep us healthy, but they are not miracle workers. We have to claim ownership and do our part by avoiding toxins wherever possible by making a conscious effort to exercise, drink plenty of clean water, get plenty of sleep, manage our stress, and eat healthy clean food. So much medication 💊(a class of toxins all its own) may be avoided by caring for ourselves this way.
What conscious decisions did you make today that decreased your toxin load?🙌 I chose to use YL body care products in the shower this morning and YL Cinnafresh deodorant before I put my clothes👖👕 on. I brushed my teeth with fluoride free YL Thieves Aromabright toothpaste, and bypassed an impending headache by using peppermint 🌿on the roof of my mouth. I finished out my time in the bathroom by avoiding some of the worst toxins☠️ in our homes….. standard American cosmetics. The Savvy Minerals makeup line is not only gorgeous and long lasting, it is liver friendly too!
You are worth taking care of!
Thanks for making it easy Young Living!
xoxo~ liz
#sharingiscaring
#supportyourlocalpeepers
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisproactiveinsteadofreactive
#thanksYL