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...

  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...

Yesterday on Facebook we announced we had received a new treasure. Here it is! And here's what it means for you. Beginning next week we will be offering our  Pool of Delight in Eden At Footsteps In Eden Reflexology we will prepare for you a delightful foot bath of sea salts and aromatherapy. The properties of the salts and therapeutic essential oils provide the potential for warmed muscles, increased circulation and detoxification. We add strokes of relaxing massage, preparing your feet and your whole body for the beautiful reflexology treatment to follow. We use an ionized copper foot basin, providing a healthy environment for your feet. Offered as add-on service to foot reflexology only. Sessions are extended 10-15 mins. This Lovely Delight will be available beginning the week after Thanksgiving. To learn more check out the "Sessions" link on our website .

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...

It's Ruby Tuesday over at Work of the Poet . This is only my second time to participate, but really enjoy showing off my reds. And, even more, I love to visit the other Ruby Tuesday postings too. Always colorful and fun, and we may learn a few things along the way! Little difficult (okay -- a whole lot difficult) to read the label on the little bottle. So, I'll tell you, this is the most prized oil in the collection. It is rose oil. A couple of facts: It takes 2,000 pounds of fresh, hand picked, prime rose petals to yield 1 pound of pure Rose (Rosa damascena) essential oil. "The healing properties of the rose have been utilized throughout the ages and (rose) still plays an important role in the East. It has been used for digestive and menstrual problems, headaches and nervous tension, liver congestion, poor circulation, fever (plague), eye infections and skin complaints."*** ~~ Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Alan & Connie Higley "Rose has been used for...

Saturday I bought some beautiful sunflowers and some red flowers of which I'm uncertain of their identity. I'm always delighted with the colorful selection of beauty in Mr. Chandler's flower booth at our local farmers' market. These were no exception. I brought them home and chose to display them in my only blue vase (which is normally in the back of the top cabinet on the top shelf because, as you know, blue is not my favorite color). After all it would make a great post for Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally . Of course, with my passion for wellness and a blog that features suggestions for holistic health and wellness, I had to find a way to bring that in also. Consider these sunflowers would definitely be a sunny and uplifting spot in an otherwise BLUE day. The number of people suffering from the blues to mild or severe depression seems to be growing continuously. Perhaps it is our over committed lifestyles, relationship challenges, poor health, problems with the ...

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 ...

"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...

Essential Oils beginning to be used in a hospital in Ft. Worth, Texas, as what appears to be an effective therapy. It is exciting to see this happening. Young Living features high quality oils as mentioned in the article. Below is the first portion of a report from a Ft. Worth, TX, News show. You may read the complete article by clicking on the link above. Essential Oils Now Used In Mainstream Medicine Reporting Mark Johnson FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ― "The healing powers of essential oils have been known for centuries. Now a Fort Worth hospital is the first in North Texas to take those powers to a clinical level. Megan Morrison's high risk pregnancy has kept her on bed rest for the past six weeks. Her clinical aromatherapy sessions at Harris Methodist Hospital are new. "'I can definitely tell a big difference,' Morrison said. 'I'm definitely much more relaxed than if I was just to go take a hot bath.' "Nurse Susan Shields is trained in clinical...

Dr. Mehmet C. Oz,M.D., author of You: An Owner's Manual and regular guest on Oprah has this to say about Deirdre Imus' book, green this! Packed with practical insights and solutions to protect our families. Deirdre Imus asks the provacative question, 'Is the way we clean really good for us?' Read on to find the startling answer." Learning of a new Young Living Distributor in my organization who found about our healthy and pure oils from this book by Deirdre Imus, it became a must read on my list! I've spent some hours over the weekend being enlightened even further on cleaning ideas and potential hazards in our homes. The ideas, suggestions, cleaning recipes, etc. are indeed most practical for every day! With small grandchildren in my home very often, I'll be choosing growing up green! for a near future read. Both of these books have been BEST SELLERS on Amazon. growing up green! and green this! have earned their place on the New York Times Bestselle...

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.)

The thought of sending my king size bedspread to the dry cleaner was distasteful for a couple of reasons. Only one (kinda large) corner needed cleaning. The dry cleaning solvents would be quite noxious to my way of thinking. Never the less, the whole bedspread would certainly not fit in my washing machine. What happened? Our precious little 2 year old granddaughter was sleeping on our bed when an upset tummy presented itself in quite a yucky way. You probably get my drift here. Carefully wiping it off and then allowing it to dry out gave me a bit of time to think this one through. Thieves™ in its many forms has come to my rescue before. One corner of the bedspread would easily fit in my oversize kitchen sink. So, with a bar of Thieves™ Soap and some cold water the spots were gently coaxed from the bedspread. Wrapped in towels to absorb the water, the bedspread is now clean and spread out to dry. The greater benefit is the antibacterial properties of Thieves®, and essential oil blend fr...

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...

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...

True pure AROMATHERAPY has limitless possibilities for health and wellness. We keep so many of these in our home, that most people are delighted and intrigued by the beautiful aromas when they enter. While we love the mingling of the aromas, we also diffuse specific essential oils for individual needs. One of my very favorites is Peace & Calming®. This proprietary blend of essential oils includes tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli and blue tansy. This gentle blend often helps calm tensions and uplift the spirit, promoting relaxation and a deep sense of peace. That sounds like tranquility to me. Find a wide variety of styles and great prices on some excellent diffusers