Breathing

“Feed Me Seymore!” Candida Exposed

Liz James · February 5, 2017 ·

“Feed me Seymore!” if you remember, this is a famous line out of the movie, Little Shop of Horrors. When I teach gut health classes, I use this analogy in reference to another monster within us who has an insatiable appetite….. Candida.

Candida is a sugar fermenting yeast that naturally lives within our digestive tract, and is helpful and necessary in our gut ecosystem when colonized in appropriate amounts. Unfortunately, 70-80% of all Americans have fallen below the wellness line and now suffer with chronic Candida overgrowth. How in the world did this happen to so many of us? The possible list of culprits is long:

Immune dysfunction in the form of:

exposure to toxic metals
poor digestion leading to buildup of toxins within us
stress

Reduction of good bacteria (who act as the national guard and keep Candida in check). This happens by:

heavy consumption of refined carbs, alcohol, and caffeine
heavy consumption of refined sugar
antibiotics
mercury fillings (double whammy! they also affect our immune system)

An adjustment in intestinal pH (allowing Candida to flourish). This commonly occurs when:

acid blocking medications (like Prilosec, Nexium, etc) are used regularly and in excess
we have a decrease in production of digestive enzyme
we age. In the normal aging process, our stomach acid actually becomes less acidic, allowing Candida to grow out of control.

One of the hallmark signs of a Candida overgrowth is an insatiable craving for sugar and carbs. It feels almost like something is living inside you telling you that you MUST eat sugar and carbs…..ie: Feed me Seymour! If you have those feelings (and can’t stop after just one cookie), chances are, you have a heavy Candida load. Candida is ASKING for this “nourishment” to survive, and you are feeding it each times it asks….. just like the plant with the voracious appetite in Little Shop of Horrors.

Symptoms of Candida overgrowth are varied… they include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, hyperactivity, sinus problems, bad breath, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, hypoglycemia, eczema, psoriasis, skin fungus, yeast infections, chronic fatigue, swollen joints, and gout. The list is much longer…. but you get the idea…. Candida overgrowth is very problematic in all aspects of wellness.

Young Living has many products that will help keep you above the wellness line (ie: Healthy!) when it comes to Candida. One such product is called Detoxzyme. This powerhouse capsule combines digestion enhancing essential oils with several fast acting enzymes that assist in the complete digestive process. They help detoxify and promote intestinal cleansing (a critical component for maintaining overall body health). The enzymes within the capsules are designed to help us digest starches, sugars, proteins, and fats. Efficient digestion helps the body detoxify. Importantly, Detoxzyme also helps in opening the gallbladder duct and cleansing the liver, preventing Candida and other yeast overgrowth…. also important in the detoxification process. Remember, your liver is the main “garbage processing center” organ of our bodies…. and if it has a backlog of work, then toxins simply sit in our body and wreak havoc as they wait to be excreted.

So, if you are looking for ways to lose that sluggish feeling and regain your energy, quit feeding that monster no matter how much it asks to be fed, and grab yourself a bottle of this dragonslayer!

Have a great day, and contact me if you have any questions!

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Can Oils Support Our Emotional Health?

Liz James · January 11, 2017 ·

Using essential oils is not a new found fad… it is something that has been used for thousands of years in most countries to help balance emotions. When Big Pharma entered into the picture, oils fell by the wayside in the United States. Young Living was and is key to reversing that trend, and you see inferior oils in many stores now. Do not be fooled by the others….. Young Living is THE world leader of Essential Oils… the oldest essential oil company in the world…. AND the only with with its own farms and Seed to Seal guarantee.

Survival tools should be multifunctional, and YL oils are no exception to this rule. Every single one of them has health promoting abilities and many have powerful emotional support.

Can you imagine how the spritz of fragrance from a fresh orange peel can brighten your day? Within the oil of the peel lies a constituent called Limonene. This is a naturally made chemical that works almost magically on our Limbic system as described above to promote feelings of calm and happiness. I encourage you to do some research on your own as each of the citrus oils (Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Bergamot, Orange) do this very very well. Other oils can be very helpful with different emotions and feelings…..

StressAway: a blend of 5 oils known for their abilities to relieve daily stress and tension. This is a blend unique to Young Living, and is a personal favorite of mine. I carry it in my lab coat at work, and use it daily.
Lavender: probably the most well known of essential oils, and best known to create a calming and relaxing environment. When you are preparing your bag, this is one oil you won’t want to be without due to its many functionalities.
Anger is another emotion that can be difficult to harness and manage and can often lead to escalated issues. You may find that some or all of these oils of benefit if this is something that is struggled with: Tranquil (a blend), Bergamot, Lemon, Ylang ylang…. and many more…
Lack of concentration and focus can be detrimental, especially when focus is of utmost importance. Oils that may help with this would include Lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint, Clarity (a powerful blend) .
Grief and sorrow are both something we have to deal with on occasion. Oils that may help with this would include Bergamot, Joy (a blend), Juniper, White Angelica (a blend), and Gentle Baby (also a blend).
Fear is an emotion that none of us enjoy experiencing, and we all feel it on occasion…. whether that be thru our jobs, as we drive, or simply as we prepare for the unknown. Oils known to help alleviate these feelings may include Bergamot, Cypress, Geranium, and Valor (a blend)

Many of the oils mentioned above can be found in the Premium Starter Kit. If you’d like to learn more about managing emotions with oils, I’m happy to help!

In Health and Preparedness,
Liz James, RPh

NSHC Certified Health Coach & Wellness Educator
YL Silver Leader #1602257

Important Vitality Oils

Liz James · January 11, 2017 ·

If you have been exploring oil companies at all, you will find that many have labels that say “do not ingest”. Pure oils should be edible. Young Living not only stands behind the purity of its products, it has also created a line of oils and oil blends that are specifically labeled for consumption.

Vitality Dietary essential oils are the perfect way to add flavor and nutrition to foods and beverages of all kinds…..which, as a prepper, could come super handy if we’ve stored food and water that is somewhat bland, but more importantly….. these oils supplement your health & wellness regimen!

There are 4 types of Vitality oils for you to try (remembering that while adding amazing flavor to food and drink…. they also each support various body systems!)

Herb Vitality – Add flavor and freshness with a drop of your favorite herbs.
Spice Vitality – Discover your favorite new way to deliver a culinary kick.
Citrus Vitality – Brighten your water, smoothies, and recipes with vitamin-rich citrus.
Supplement Vitality – Nutritious drops to support your body and enhance your day.

These little 5ml bottles are a perfect addition to your Bug Out Bag. While taste and smell are important, their value to health and wellness management is priceless!

You can check them all out here.

In Health and Preparedness,
Liz James, RPh

NSHC Certified Health Coach & Wellness Educator

YL Brand partner #1602257

“Making Wellness A Contagious Pursuit”

The Magnificent 7

Liz James · January 5, 2017 ·

Thanks for your continued interest in Young Living’s essential oils and supplements.

Essential oils have been treasured by nearly every ancient culture for thousands of years….Why? It wasn’t just that they smelled good. The unique thing about essential oils is that they are multipurpose… much like a Swiss Army Knife. And as you, The Prepper knows, multipurpose tools get bonus points in the bug out bag! To learn more about their incredible properties – feel free to Visit my Website

Although there are 11 oils in the Premium Bundle, here are 7 that I think you will find interesting and worthy of intensive researching. In fact, I would go so far as to call these ” The Prepper’s Magnificent 7” for your wellness preparations both before and after disaster strikes.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

Usually, when we think of Frankincense, we immediately think of the 3 Wise Men and this gift to baby Jesus. It turns out, those three were very wise indeed! Historically, Frankincense was used in healing, as a form of currency and barter, as a key ingredient in cosmetics and perfume, and even used in embalming/funeral preparations. In using “Frank” in your daily life, you will find it supports the following body systems: Immune, Respiratory, Integumentary (skin), Nervous, and Musculo-Skeletal systems. It is also amazing for emotional support. I’m pretty sure we are all going to need a little (or alot!) of emotional support when the SHTF, right?

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Lemon essential oil smells “happy”… as well it should. One of the key constituents within it, Limonene, is known to boost our emotions in a positive direction, if you get my drift. As Phil Robertson would say… “Happy, Happy, Happy!”. All that water we preppers have stored? Flavor it up with Lemon Vitality oil and boost your immune system majorly while you’re at it by doing this. A few drops is all it takes to make your world a better place.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Ahhhh… Peppermint! It is as cool as it sounds… making it ideal for invigorating tired and sore muscles. It is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for supporting normal digestion and gastrointestinal system comfort. No bug out bag should be without Peppermint Vitality. Considering that 74% of Americans have digestive issues….. and who knows what we’ll be eating should the SHTF….this is another must have for your bag. A single drop to help aid normal digestion…. Or place 2 drops of Peppermint Vitality on the tongue to support concentration and alertness. PS: mice and bugs don’t like peppermint!

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender: the ultimate oil “swiss army knife”. As a prepper who is “in the know”, I would be remiss if I didn’t suggest that you Google “Rene Gattefosse”. I hope you never need his information, but if you do, you can thank me later. His story is a powerful testimony. Lavender is also known for its abilities to take you to that calm and soothing place we all need to have within us.

PanAway (R)(oil blend)

Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove and Peppermint make this exclusive oil blend a powerhouse for supporting body tissue that has been physically strained. It also supports skin that has been discolored due to trauma… Rocky Balboa would have LOVED this one! I would encourage preppers to educate and familiarize themselves on each individual oil in this blend… individually, they are all Rockstars, but combined they are Super Heroes!

Thieves (R) (oil blend)

Eucalyptus Radiata, Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, and Rosemary. This oil blend is The Immune Boosting Powerhouse you’ve been looking for. While there are no guarantees, I choose to apply Thieves to the bottoms of my feet each day as a means of immune support (I am surrounded by germs daily at the pharmacy). Simply put, if you want to create an inhospitable environment for bacteria, make Thieves your teammate. It is a pleasant smelling blend that can be diffused, applied topically (diluted) or as a Thieves Vitality dietary essential oil to support healthy immune function, which “may” contribute to wellness when taken as a dietary supplement.

Purification(R) (oil blend)

At some point when the SHTF, life will stink…. Literally. And when it does, this is the oil you will turn to for help. Citronella, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Melaleuca Alternifola, Lavandin, and Myrtle. Diffuse it in the air, or put a few drops on cotton balls and place in musty bags, closets, shoes, or your car to freshen air and eliminate odors. Purification® can also be used topically as a diluted spray to keep your world “annoyance free”….especially if those annoyances have 6 or 8 legs.

Learn More About Essential Oils

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Prepper’s Choice: Let’s Get Started

Liz James · January 5, 2017 ·

Perhaps even more remarkable is their versatility:

They can support wellness in every body system
They can support emotional well-being, especially in times of stress
They are small, lightweight, ultra-portable (perfect for a Bug Out Bag)…each oil having multiple purposes and capabilities.
They have an extraordinarily long shelf life…. yep, you heard that right.
They can help clean and purify your home and neutralize odors
They can be added to food and drinks for nutritional support
They provide gentle yet powerful system support for both hair and skin, and can be found in body care products, or better yet, can be used as ingredients when you need to make your own

And they are NATURAL. Young Living’s Essential Oils Starter Bundle is the perfect way to begin learning and navigating a SHTF wellness plan before the SHTF actually happens, AND a great addition to the “what if’s” section of your health goes in your Bug Out Bag. You DO need a health bundle in your bag, right?

And they are NATURAL. Young Living’s Essential Oils Starter Bundle is the perfect way to begin learning and navigating a SHTF wellness plan before the SHTF actually happens, AND a great addition to the “what if’s” section of your health kit within your Bug Out Bag. You DO need a health kit in your bag, right? The 11 oils contained within this bundle have been purposefully selected to ensure every body system has a means of support. The Premium Bundle is a must for any prepper’s BOB. Just as a Swiss Army knife is an invaluable tool to have in your bag, this kit follows the same principals. Think of it as your Swiss Army Knife of wellness preparation. It literally has all you need to handle what life throws at us daily. I call it ‘The Magnificent 7″ in the following post. Enjoy your day!