Natural Health and Wellness

Connie Scheel, a two time cancer survivor enjoying remission today, believes she has enhanced her life and her health by choosing many complementary and alternative approaches for herself and her family. I've invited her to share some of her story below along with recipes for simple, effective, and cost-effective recipes for green and healthy cleaning products created with Young Living essential oils. She would enjoy hearing your feedback. Please leave comments. You may learn more about Connie and the Young Living oils by visiting her on her Facebook page -- Catalysts to Connie's Wellness.  Do you want it all when it comes to Spring cleaning? Perhaps quick, easy, inexpensive, pleasantly fresh smelling cleaning products that are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-sept ic and anti-fungal without any harsh chemicals? Therapeutic grade essential oils offer all of this along with a boost to the immune system and mood. This may sound nerdy but I was really excited and r...

A few months ago one of my regular massage clients arrived and said she would like to try reflexology but she wasn't sure because she loved her massage so much. After a little think I suggested that we do a bit of both. She was thrilled and so off we went. I adapted the treatment to what she needed at the time and she left a very happy customer. Next time she came back she simply said, 'Can I have the Nurture Special please' and so that's what I've decided to call it! It's not just limited to massage and reflexology however. It can be a combination of any two treatments.  So what combination does your heart desire? Get your wish list fulfilled with a mix of therapies in a 90 minute 'Nurture Special'! You choose! Loretta's suggested combinations: - Facial Massage & Reflexology* - Back, Neck, Shoulders & Facial Massage - Hand Massage & Reflexology* - Reiki & Subtle Aromatherapy (using aromatherapy oils in the auric field) 'Nurture S...

  Does Footsteps In Eden Reflexology in Bartlett, TN, have eco-friendly practices, and what are they? While I have been pondering a blog post on this topic for awhile now, I was smacked in the face with it this morning as I was registering my business with Angie's List. That was a 'surprise' question to me in that 'setting,' but a great one as well to make me think how to answer. Kudos to Angie's List for asking! First of all, don't you just love the green footprint?!?! How perfect to find that little jewel for a post on eco-practices in my reflexology business. Just love it! Now on to what Footsteps In Eden Reflexology does do to be green. Just the very nature of reflexology makes it a VERY GREEN business. There's really nothing actually required for this therapy except a client and a reflexologist's hands (OK, they will need to be attached to the reflexologist - LOL). I work from my home. Situated in a park like setting, it is surrounded by GREE...

Leading successful Self-Help Reflexology sessions has been quite exciting. . . just love introducing people to this great therapy. "Love Your Feet with Reflexology Workshops" are now scheduled monthly through June. Here's your chance to discover reflexology for yourself and learn how valuable this experience may be for minor health challenges and just pure relaxation for you, your friends, and family.  In this hands on workshop, provided by Footsteps In Eden Reflexology owner, Lynn Watson (that's moi) you will learn about every part of the body being mirrored on the hands and feet, and how to use your hands and a few common household items to do quick reflexology, self-help on yourself and family members. A few aromatherapy suggestions, which may enhance your enjoyment of reflexology even more, will be included. Below you will find the schedule with dates and times. All workshops are being held at Singleton Community Center in Bartlett, TN. Call them to reserve yo...

We continue in this month of counting blessings and thankfulness with our celebration of Footsteps In Eden Reflexology's 4th Birthday. From our very beginning, Footsteps In Eden chose to offer you way more than a reflexology "session." Our goal was to offer you an experience of delight for all the senses. We appeal to your sense of smell through the use of aromatherapy. In our case, high quality therapeutic grade essential oils from Young Living .  Did you know that of all of our senses, the sense of smell is the only one where we react first and think about our response later? Something to think about, but not the question for today. So, the question is, what is your favorite essential oil, how do you use it, and why?  To familiarize yourself with essential oils and their benefits, begin your journey of discovery here .

We've had a few cooler days, the kids are back in school in many areas of the country, and you may have thought about fighting germs and colds and flu bugs in the months ahead. In our home we have found the Thieves® line of products from Young Living™ to be most helpful. We clean with it, we diffuse it, we wash with it and more. My clients often comment on the fresh and clean fragrance of my hand soap. It is diffused at my husband's office. While not everyone there may be in agreement about its effectiveness, the fact that when it runs out they ask for more, speaks for itself. The purse sprays are a healthy option for spraying shopping cart handles, and use in public restrooms. There is also toothpaste, mouthwash and hand sanitizers -- all made with wholesome, good-for-you ingredients. Thieves® has also been shown to be highly effective in removing mold and mold spores. Here's a little history of this great line. It just may surprise you to learn of its origins. "A...

Aromatherapy is the use of concentrated aromatic liquids known as 'essential oils'. These plant oils are found in flowers, leaves, berries, herbs, roots, grasses, twigs & bark. These blends can be used in a variety of ways for examples in soothing massage, inhalations, compresses, baths, at home, in the office, the list is endless. Our sense of smell through the various aromas can invoke great emotions & clearing for the body. Essential oils of aromatic plants have been used for thousands of years for their healing, preserving, cleansing & mood-enhancing qualities. Book an Aromatherapy session with Loretta at Nurture Therapies on 087-1267427

This is very exciting. Those of us that know the potential of essential oils have been aware of their potential to be an highly effective pesticide without the toxic effects to humans and animals and the environment. Now National Geographic is reporting it as news in their Green Guide. They are calling them "killer spices." I'll call them essential oils. The article refers to both. You may read the whole story here . This is such valuable information. Wonder what took them so long to figure this out? Cedarwood (discussed for many interesting reasons in a post a day or two ago) has long been used to line closets and chests to keep insects from eating their way through clothing, linens, etc. Citronella is sold in candles and sprays, which often contain other more toxic ingredients in their formula as well. Those are just two common ways essential oils from plants are used for the critter battle already. And without the side effects of the toxic chemical solutions. It makes ...

"Quietude, which some men cannot abide because it reveals their inward poverty, is as a palace of cedar to the wise, for along its hallowed courts the King in his beauty deigns to walk." - Charles H. Spurgeon You may recall that King Solomon built the temple and his own palace of cedarwood. But do you know the aromatic influence of cedar's aromas besides being an enjoyable treat for the olfactory sense? In his book, Healing Oils of the Bible, Dr. David Stewart, Ph.D. says this about the aromatic influence of cedarwood: Solomon built his temple and palace out of the Cedars of Lebanon. Thus, his places to live, govern, and worship all had the vapors of cedarwood in the air. Cedarwood oil contains the highest concentrasion of sesquiterpenes of any known substance (98%). Sesquiterpenes oxygenate the brain and support clear thinking, which is what wise rulers need to have. Perhaps King Solomon was wiser than we thought. Perhaps he knew of the aromatherapeutic benefits of cedar...

Returning to ALIVE! yesterday, one important item on my agenda was to go visiting...blog hopping...checking in with a few I follow, and discovering a few more linked to those. You know, I believe that's a great way to make new friends in the blogosphere world. One new friend is Smiling Sally . I'm following her now, and will be adding her blog to my favorites list. "Blue Monday" is Sally's own fun way to interact with blogger friends. Be sure to visit. A mention of her "Blue Monday" posts drew my attention to her "home." I'm not sure why. Purple, orange, teal, coral, caribbean sea green, brown . . . those are my colors. But recently I bought a bathing suit in brown with big blue flowers. Then I purchased some awesome blue lagoon batik and made a skirt to complement it. An old (but beautiful) necklace and bracelet with a couple shades of blue was the inspiration for another sewing project -- a deep rich blue dress. And then, of course, I lov...

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers." I Kings 19:4 (New American Standard Bible) He sat down under a juniper tree -- of what importance was the type of tree anyway that the author of I Kings was inspired to include this tidbit in his writing. That question jumped out at me as I studied I Kings 18 & 19 in preparation to lead the women's Sunday School class this week. The author's focus is "The Faith Test." (You may wish to read the account to refresh your memory on the details. The NIV calls it a broom tree, by the way. King James and New American Standard refer to a Juniper tree.) Elijah's faith is certainly being put to the test here. He has just asked God to call down fire on the very wet offering in the showdown with Baal's followers. W...

Valor® , is a proprietary blend of therapeutic grade essential oils from Young Living . Young Living offers over 100 different essential oils and essential oil blends. This specific blend reached out and caught my attention in a BIG BIG way . . . That experience, which I'll share today, not only grabbed my attention, it hooked me on the oils that I love so much. Young Living also incorporates these therapeutic grade oils into a host of personal care products, dietary supplements, and household products that are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and wonderful to use. Now for my personal story of Valor® -- A bit long, but I truly wished to share the whole traumatic experience for you to know how truly blessed I felt upon the discovery of this great essential oil. Three years ago this past December -- it was the day after Christmas -- the Mid-South section of the county was recovering from a major ice storm & a devastating tsunami was hitting Thailand. That was the day! Our son and daug...

Aromatherapy oils have shown in many cases to be highly effective when used on the feet to promote health & wellness for the entire body. This was a significant factor in my personal decision to pursue reflexology training. It was my desire to intentionally introduce more people to the therapeutic effects of the oils by using them in a reflexology setting. The following aromatherapy tip comes directly from a Young Living distributor through the Young Living weekly newsletter. I'm passing it on to you. This is an awesome testimony to the power of Young Living essential oils . “My husband has a hard time sleeping at night, especially when he travels away from home. He uses lavender and Valor® essential oil blend together on his feet and sleeps all night long! (The author of this post, the Young Living distributor from which the tip comes, and the Young Living Company assume no liability for any damage caused by use of this tip.)

It's that time of the year...at least in Memphis it is... It's beautiful!!! The azaleas and dogwoods are producing their short but spectacular spring extravaganza showtime! All of this also produces lots of allergy and sinus issues for many people. My discovery of high quality (therapeutic or medical grade) essential oils has contributed greatly to my ability to enjoy this season with much less of the itchy, watery eyes, irritated nasal passages, sinus drainage and all the rest of what this season often brings. Accordingly, I've shared what I've learned and experienced with others. Occasionally I'm believed. More often my audience is considerably more skeptical. Recently I came across this article featuring a doctor's suggestions of essential oils for sinus problems. To find the medical community encouraging the use of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is always exciting. Please take the time to check out Dr. Mao's thoughts on the subject of es...

”Tranquility is life to the body, and contention is rottenness to the bones.” These incredibly wise words of King Solomon (at least in part) are seen at the top of this blog every time you visit. They also ring so true. Last week was not a tranquil one in the life of our family, and my body has felt it . . . particularily in exhaustion and what appeared to me as diminished mental capabilities at times. Anyone else been there?!? The events our family faced last week – some blissful and some quite sorrowful – were all ones we are unable to avoid. While we welcomed a beautiful new granddaughter into our lives, bringing us much joy, demands on our time and energy were truly stretched. Last week we also lost a beloved uncle, and readmitted my mother-in-law to the hospital once again as we watch her life diminishing. Stress is all around us. Sometimes, as in the situations above, it takes all that we have to make it through. Then our bodies let us know they are exhausted and in need of rest...

SENSE ABOUT SCENTS has morphed. As an Independent Representative of the Young Living Essential Oils company, many received a monthly newsletter via email, SENSE ABOUT SCENTS. Since discovering the wonderful ONEGroup miessence® line of organic skincare and cosmetics , and launching my FOOTSTEPS IN EDEN reflexology business I've seen what I believe are some awesome reasons for morphing that newsletter into this wonderful blog. Since late October I have been working to bring blog readers helpful information on a variety of health and wellness topics. I've also included links to fun, informative, and educational spots on the web offering products and services I believe my readers will love and enjoy. When I am forced to categorize this blog, it's under health and wellness, but my readers also find posts and links relating to greening our world, family, spiritual matters, shopping, and more. In the last couple of weeks I've learned to offer an opportunity for readers to be...

Abundance™, one of my favorite essential oil blends, is said to "resonate at the frequency of attraction." Now I'm not exactly sure of the technical explanation for that one, but as its name might indicate, the use of this oil has been known to have a magnetic influence drawing blessings to the user. There is a living energy captured when plant materials are distilled at optimal low temperatures and pressures for all the hours it takes to bring every tiny valuable constituent of the flower, leaf, bark, or root into the final product. Young Living works patiently to assure their oils are of the finest quality produced at these most exacting standards. The aromatics of essential oils do have some incredible influences over the mind, body and spirit. It's interesting that Young Living's Abundance™ Essential Oil Blend contains to single oils, frankincense and myrrh, oils that have been highly cherished for centuries for their spiritual, emotional, and physical heali...

A certain brand of room fresheners you plug into your wall may cause home fires. An email with this message came across my screen this morning with an origination date of Sunday, March 23, 2008. All indications were that I was in the 2nd generation of readers after the originator of this WARNING! This sent me on a quick search of the internet. Would you believe that the same message has been circulating verbatim for four (4) years now?!?! Yep! Four big years. What did I learn? There had been a concern that a "lot" of them may cause fires, and were recalled by the manufacturer before any did. A child stuck a copper penny in one once. The penny and the electricity didn't quite mix well. The current arced the penny and a fire was started. And then there was the information that I already know. The ingredients in these air fresheners may be rather noxious and toxic to your health as you breathe the fumes into your lungs. Allow me to offer you what I believe to be the better c...