When we say healthy living, we are meaning living in a way that promotes optimal health in our every day practices. To do this, we need to be mindful of what goes into our bodies, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc. The goal would be to support wholistic, natural wellness in every aspect of our lives. This is going to look a little different for each person. That's ok. Some of us have been working towards this goal for a long time, and some of us are just getting started. We want to help you on your journey, no matter where you are at right now.
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We call ourselves Genesis wellness because when we think of Genesis, we think of something whole, perfect, clean and unspoiled (the garden). We think of imperfect people who make mistakes but who, with God's help changed the world (Abraham). We think of a promise of things yet to come, a promise of a better tomorrow. When we view not only our spiritual selves, but our physical selves as temples of the Lord, we have a Genesis mindset and we are able to love ourselves. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, deserve that love and a little extra care to help get them functioning - NO, THRIVING - at optimal levels. We need Genesis level wellness for our entire being.
NATURE'S HEALTH
PHYSICAL HEALTH
DISCLAIMER:
Before I type this, I'm telling you that I am no physical health expert. I'm not a Dr. or a trainer, etc. what I am sharing is simply from my own experience and that of my family.
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My own health has not always been great. I was the typical American, eating the typical diet... and it was killing me.
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To try to make this short and sweet, I'll skip forward through all the typical stuff you can imagine to the time I was about 25 years old.
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We were trying to get pregnant, and not having any luck. I wanted nothing more than to be a mom, but it seemed that wasn't in the cards for us. After much heartache, testing, etc. it was discovered that my husband had severe male-factor infertility. When we got that diagnosis, we were able to seek treatment and we stopped trying to figure out if there was anything wrong with MY body.
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With a combined 400 shots (approximately) 5 surgeries, THOUSANDS of dollars, and lots of tears and anxiety, we had our first IVF baby in 2014 and our second in May of 2018. (You can read all about that here)
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When I was pregnant with our second, we discovered a lump on my throat that would end up being the biggest blessing in disguise. Again, for brevity, I will say that there was a cancer scare that didn't end up being cancer. Because of that scare, I was faced with having my thyroid removed and doing radioactive iodine to kill any remaining tissues, or get a second opinion. The option of "Just taking a pill the rest of your life" didn't sit well with me.
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Our second opinion was with a Natropath out of Oklahoma City. She did extensive bloodwork on me and ran genetic profiling, etc. I got a phone call from her literally minutes after the original Dr. had called to confirm I was 'on the books' for surgery. Based on the results of the tests, the naturopath asked me to follow her advice for six months and then we could see where to go from there. I called the other Dr. back and he agreed that it wouldn't hurt anything.
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My tests revealed many things I hadn't known about myself. I have genetic mutations that literally effect every aspect of my health. I am allergic to grains and I was pre-diabetic. I have arthritis and am in the high risk category for heart disease and Alzheimers. My cholesterol was 247 and I was bordering on liver disease. (I don't drink!) The list of health issues goes on. There were 22 pages of results she went through with me one by one.
The breakthrough moment of my health journey came when she told me in no uncertain terms, "If you want to live to see your kids grow up, you do what I tell you - otherwise, you will die young." I needed no other encouragement.
Her suggestions for me were simple, and to boil them down into the most basic terms, I was told to do a grain and sugar free diet. I followed this faithfully for about three months and had my labs done again. I was literally a different person. I still had the genetic factors that didn't change, but all of the health issues that had manifested were nearly gone. As an added bonus, I was dropping weight quickly. By December of 2018 I was released from the surgeon's care with zero signs of cancer. Everything was managed my my diet, and I take ZERO prescription medications.
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In January 2019, the scale reflected about 80 lbs. lost. The greatest of all parts of this success story came mid January, when I found out we were pregnant! This anti-inflammatory diet had literally changed my life in every way.
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One Life, One Body
We all have our own health backgrounds. Your nutritional and wellness needs might not be the same as mine. That's wonderful. I hope you can find what works for you. Our bodies were created in the perfect image of God. That original Genesis reflection has been dimmed and fogged by the fallen world we live in, but that does not mean we shouldn't strive to take great care of what we have been given.
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Grain Free Diet
Our Young Living upline, Ladonna Beals, has practiced this way of eating for years and was a tremendous support to me when I was learning how to eat what felt like a very limited diet. She has an amazing testimony of how this lifestyle has completely change her life. I started this diet in July of 2018 (and I am nearing 100 lbs gone!) and I will never go back. Cindy has been doing this with me since October 2018 with a lot of success, including improving the quality of her skin.
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A grain-free diet eliminates all grains, including wheat, spelt, barley, rye, dried corn, millet, rice, and oats, as well as foods and even ingredients derived from them.
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A grain-free diet may reduce inflammation, aid weight loss, and improve digestion and blood sugar levels. It may also promote mental health and alleviate pain in people with fibromyalgia or endometriosis
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Sugar Free Diet
Grains (carbohydrates) essentially become sugar in the digestive process. This is why sugar is listed under the carbohydrates header of all nutrition labels. Sugar is EVERYWHERE. It is in 80% of packaged foods and hides under a whole roster of assumed names. It's not as simple as it sounds to simply not eat sugar.
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Sugar is highly addictive and wreaks havoc on the body. It messes with our energy levels. If the energy from sugar isn’t burned soon after consumption, it’s converted into fat and gets stored in the body. Sugar also confuses your hormonal (endocrine) system. Over time, the constant fluctuations will leave them unbalanced and not working as they should.
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When we eat sugar, insulin is released by the pancreas in order to remove glucose from the blood. Eventually, this constant process, mixed with high levels of insulin and glucose, leads the pancreas to produce less insulin over time, which causes insulin resistance – the precursor to diabetes
A sugar free diet my give you younger looking skin, more energy, reduced belly fat, weight loss, lowered risk for diabetes, increased heart health, increased digestion and less mood swings.
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A grain and sugar free diet may not be for everyone. You find what works for you. It's not about weight at the end of the day. It's about health. Its about living to see your kids and grandkids grow up. It's about being able to feel good about yourself and have the energy to enjoy this life that has been given to you. You only get one chance to live it.
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Wellness tools
You can not out supplement a bad diet. As much as I fully believe that Young Living products are a fantastic tool for optimal health and wellness, if you have not made the decision to take your health into your own hands and found a nutritional diet plan that works for you, the products will not work optimally. They will still benefit you, to be sure, but it will be more like putting a fire out with a water pistol. The intended effects of the products will not be as evident or dramatic when they are being counteracted by what is going into your mouth.
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I started by using the YL products, and I loved their impact on my life. It took me a couple of years before I would make the life-changing decision to go grain and sugar free.
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Young Living does have several products to help you stay healthy and fit. Check them out HERE.
If you would like to hear more about my story or need encouragement getting started on your wellness journey, EMAIL ME.
DISCLAIMER:
Before I type this, I'm telling you that I am no mental health expert. I'm not a Dr. or a therapist, etc. what I am sharing is simply from my own experience and that of my family.
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Mental health matters. Nutrition as mentioned above can have an effect on our mental health, and that is one way to help alleviate a bad mental state. However, proper nutrition for your body (not the same for everyone) won't cure poor mental and emotional health.
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Many things that happen in your life can disrupt your emotional health. These can lead to strong feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety. Even good or wanted changes can be as stressful as unwanted changes.
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As I am right in the middle of this season of life, Post Partom Depression springs to mind when I think of a good, wanted change causing strong negative emotions. I am about as mentally healthy as the next person, and yet this weekend, I scanned for strong biomarkers of resentment and anger.
I adore my children and do not resent having them, but as wonderful as they are, I am very much human. They have taken over my home, my bed, my body, my time, my husband and even my bath tub. I have to scrub that thing with Thieves and put away a whole army of toys before I can even enjoy a lavender bubble bath. I am typing this with one hand because I am nursing the baby... I am never NOT nursing the baby.
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Poor emotional health can weaken your body’s immune system. This makes you more likely to get colds and other infections during emotionally difficult times. Also, when you are feeling stressed, anxious, or upset, you may not take care of your health as well as you should. You may not feel like exercising, eating nutritious foods, etc. You may abuse alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Signs of poor emotional health include but are not limited to:
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back pain
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change in appetite
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chest pain
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constipation or diarrhea
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dry mouth
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extreme tiredness
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general aches and pains
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headaches
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High Blood Pressure
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Insomnia
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Below are some suggestions for good emotional health.
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Get Some Sleep
Your physical and emotional health depend so much on how rested you are. Sleep is fundamental to a healthy mind and body – getting a good night’s sleep can make a huge difference in your overall health.
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Get Active
Physical activity Improves mood and mental health.
Exercise promotes chemicals in the brain that improve your mood and make you more relaxed. Specifically, the brain releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins throughout the body. Physical activity reduces anxiety and depressed mood, and enhances self-esteem.
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Express Your Feelings
Find someone to talk to. A friend, a counselor, a pastor or a family member are good options. I have also been known to break down and talk with another mama in the diaper aisle at walmart. You do you. What ever you choose, please, if you are feeling the need to talk to someone, do so. Those around you are more willing to help than you think. Often, people know when I am 'not right' and they are just waiting for me to realize it and let them know that I need help - and how to help me. Most often, it is just someone to listen to me talk out loud and have a change to verbally process what I am dealing with at the moment.
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Calm Your Mind & Body
Find a place to get away. My husband and I take turns in the jetted tub. The warm water and the massage are great, and the sound of the jets and the locked door ensure we have at least a few minutes that we can ignore everything. I usually sit in there with a face mask and a bath bomb and either a book or a podcast. Lavender is usually the oil I choose for these baths, but I have also used cedarwood and bergamot. Often I also add about a cup of epsom salts to my bath to help my body detox.
The benefits of relaxing your mind and body include, but are not limited to:
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Slowed heart rate
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Lowered blood pressure
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Slowed your breathing rate
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Improved digestion
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Maintained normal blood sugar levels
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Reduced activity of stress hormones
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Increased blood flow to major muscles
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Reduced muscle tension and chronic pain
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Love Your Gut
The quality of the food you eat can impact your overall physical and mental health. Eating nutritious foods can go a long way toward achieving a healthy lifestyle.
That gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of your stomach is all too real – your gut is sensitive to emotions like anger, anxiety, sadness, and joy – and your brain can react to signals from your stomach. All the more reason to eat a balanced and nutritious diet – so that your gut and your brain can be healthy.
Diet is linked to the hippocampus, a key area of the brain involved in learning, memory, and mental health. People with healthy diets have more hippocampal volume than those with unhealthy diets.
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Young Living does have several products to help with your emotions. Check out one of them out HERE.
If you need someone to talk to, EMAIL ME. Do not go through your difficult time alone. I will be happy to talk to you and pray with / for you.
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lightheadedness
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palpitations
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sexual problems
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shortness of breath
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stiff neck
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sweating
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upset stomach
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weight gain or loss
Spiritual HEALTH
Collectively, our relationship with God is the very most important thing. We strive to make Godly decisions in every aspect of our lives. In community, or as individuals, honoring God with what we do and serving through our actions is super important.
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We hope to have the opportunity to share God's love with you. If you are a new believer, a seasoned faith warrior, or someone who is seeking the Lord for the first time, we want to love you with the love of Christ.
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Having said all of that, sometimes our spiritual tanks get low. When we are feeling spiritually drained, it is hard to fill others. When our spiritual health declines, our emotional health declines and even our physical health isn't at its peak. We are complex beings and were created to need God.
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From the stress-reducing effects of prayer to the depression-busting power of fellowship, spiritual health does wonders for a person's physical wellness.
Being a spiritually awake individual has the ability to prevent spiritual illness as well as physical illness.
The physical benefits of spirituality can include:
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Help reduce stress and depression
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Reduce anxiety
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Lower blood pressure
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Strengthen your immune system and lower blood sugar
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Help sustain concentration, memory and cognition
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There is a reason God is referred to as the healer. Not only does he heal through divine intervention, but the simple act of faith and believing IN him has actual healing properties in and of its self.
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God created a perfect world that was damaged as a part of the fall. However, we were not left without His promises. The bible is FULL of promises from God, that uplift and sustain me when my tank starts to get low.
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Another promise, or gift that He gave us were the natural resources on the planet. Essential oils have been used since at least Ancient Egyptian times to support health and wellness. They are mentioned numerous times in both the old and new testaments of the bible.
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Many people claim to be spiritual but do not have salvation. Let's be clear here. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world—but He’s also your personal Savior. He gave his life for all of mankind—but He also died for you. He is the true source of love, joy, peace, and happiness.
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If you want to know how to receive salvation, follow this link to help you. If you pray to accept Christ, let someone know. Email me so I can rejoice with you.