Theresa_Rosenthal, Author at At Peace with Health

July 29, 2014

Tuesday’s Talk: How to Defuse with a Diffuser

The actual definition of defuse is to reduce the tension in a difficult situation. I don’t know about you, but each day I come across various situations that could be described as difficult! Reducing tension in a busy home, office or work place is crucial to improving the quality of life and your health!

So, have you purchased a diffuser and don’t know what you’re supposed to do with it? Or have you thought about it, but don’t really know what you’ll do or how it will work? When we embarked on our journey with essential oils, I was concerned mainly with diaper rashes, bug sprays and cleaning solutions. I shrugged off the AMAZING deal of getting a Premium Starter Kit (which includes a diffuser) because I thought that wasn’t for us. Months later, we found ourselves budgeting our finances to be able to purchase one of these because the benefits far outweighed the cost!

First, I had to educate myself on what a diffuser was. I was familiar with humidifiers and wondered if I could just put my oils in that. (The answer is: no. Humidifiers are not created to handle the powerful oils and they will break down the plastic parts, sending toxins into the air as well.) A diffuser is so different! Specifically speaking about the Young Living diffuser, it is an air purifier, an aroma diffuser, an atomizer, and a humidifier all rolled into one. Mixing a few drops of oil with some distilled water in a diffuser allows that oil to be broken up into millions of microparticles. The microparticles are then dispersed into the air in such a way that the powerful properties of therapeutic grade essential oils are activated. It truly is an incredible way to get amazing benefits from these oils while using very little of them.

Second, I needed to wrap my head around the benefits of diffusing oils instead of inhaling them from my hands or applying them to my body. Because the diffuser alters the structure of molecules, when you diffuse oils you aren’t masking odors (like standard air fresheners that often cause headaches as well). Instead, diffusing actually changes the molecules in a room reducing or eliminating odors, germs, bacteria, mold and fungus.

Thirdly, aside from cleaning the environment of my home, what else could diffusing do? The answers to this question are too many to list here, but defusing tension is a good place to start. You see the cool mist coming off of this diffuser? The mist is actually going into my body (my children’s and my husband’s too) and stimulating neurotransmitters, secretion of endorphins and growth hormone production & receptivity. Inhaling the air containing the diffused oil particles can relax my body, clear my mind, relieve tension, improve concentration, increase alertness, and enhance my mental clarity. From a physiological standpoint, diffused oils also improve digestion, help balance hormones, fight candida by promoting the secretion of IgA antibodies, relieve headaches, and help with weight management.

But how? The science is pretty wordy but I will sum it up like this: When you inhale an aroma, it enters into your nose where it is trapped by the lining inside of your nose. Every odor is made up of molecules and each molecule fits into one of many receptor sites that line the olfactory epithelium. When the molecules fit into these receptor sites, they trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in your brain, which then transmits them to other areas of the brain including the gustatory center (sensation of taste), amygdala (emotional memories) and other parts of the limbic system. The limbic system is associated with blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, hormone balance, memory, and stress levels. This is how diffused and inhaled oils can have such a profound effect psychologically and physiologically! (*Information derived from the Essential Oils Pocket Reference, Fifth Edition – see below)

Tuesdy's Talk: How to Defuse with a Diffuser

SOLD. I am absolutely sold on the benefits of the diffuser. Ordered, purchased, shipped and received; I had it in front of me and thought, now what? The possibilities are endless!

In our house, we use it in our bedroom at night and in the center of our home (the kitchen counter) during the day. At night we diffuse lavender, frankincense, juniper or valor. Sleep has never been better! During the day, I choose my diffuser cocktail based on the day ahead of us and the moods we’re all in upon waking. I love to diffuse Joy (read more about Joy here). I find peppermint to be extremely motivating and energizing (more peppermint benefits here). I’ve also started making combinations based on some charts I’ve seen, such as Joy + Peppermint for a happy day, Lavender + Lemon + Peppermint for allergies, Thieves + Purification for immune system boosting, Peace & Calming + Lavender for sleep, Lemon + Peppermint to wake up, and Valor + Frankincense to help with sadness. (4-8 drops is all you need for hours upon hours of diffusing bliss!)

There are so many more combinations and cocktails to be made and experienced. I honestly can’t wait. Currently, I’m diffusing Citrus Fresh + Joy. As a sensitive person, I am acutely aware of the shifts that take place in my attitude, motivation and energy levels while diffusing. The best part is that all of the oils mentioned above (except the Citrus Fresh and juniper) come in the Everyday Oils Kit, which is included in the Premium Starter Kit I wished we had purchased originally!

Ready to try it?

Go here and enter the Sponsor ID and Enroller ID 1414775. Enter your personal information, select Wholesale (it will save you 24% off the retail price), and choose the Premium Starter Kit. You can bypass the Essential Rewards Kits (they’re optional) and you’ll be well on your way to experiencing all these benefits and more! (If you do decide to do Essential Rewards, you can sign up at any time, spend $50 a month and save on shipping while gradually building your medicine cabinet arsenal for every ailment imaginable).

Read more about why we use ONLY Young Living in our home here.

The Essential Oils Pocket Reference is just that: Essential. If you sign up through me with the purchase of the Premium Starter Kit, I will send you this book as a Welcome Gift. You may also purchase it through this (affiliate) link below:

July 22, 2014

Tuesday’s Talk: Tummy Troubles (and 16 other uses for peppermint)

Oh Peppermint, how I love thee.

Let me count the ways….

I cannot tell you how many times I use peppermint in a day. I rub Young Living peppermint oil on my gums throughout the day, at the end of a meal, or before going out. It freshens my breath like nothing else. It also kills bacteria, which is something I’m struggling with. I’ve been seeing a holistic dentist for months, trying to combat my gum disease, which was at stage 3 out of 4. I’m now at stage 2. I attribute the peppermint oil to a lot of this bacterial death. (Read more about oral health and essential oils.)

And tummy troubles… oh yes. I’ve had food poisoning about two times in the last three years and it is an awful experience, laying me out for approximately 24 hours. Usually, it’s about 12 hours of sickness and 12 hours of exhaustion, fever, nausea until slowly easing back into regular life. Last weekend though, this was not the case! The food poisoning hit very suddenly and we had just eaten a lunch of leftover take-out. (Now, you know we are really picky about the food we eat, so there aren’t a lot of places we frequent. I am disappointed to have such a bad experience at one of my “safe places”.) Running to the bathroom, I was sweating, overheating and nauseated; the room was spinning and panic was setting in. I could not find relief from it. I threw a cold, wet towel over my face begging for it to stop, and finally, I called for my husband to bring me peppermint oil. I couldn’t even think straight as I struggled to open the cap and rub the oil on my stomach. I tried to smell it, but I couldn’t stand smelling anything. Within minutes, I felt relief. The intensity of the nausea and dizziness had dissipated, just enough that I wasn’t hyperventilating anymore. Grateful, I rubbed more on my stomach. The heat was leaving my body and going to straight to my stomach. No longer sweating, I crawled into bed. I fell asleep and when I woke up, I was weak, but not nauseous. I was even able to eat dinner that night. Unheard of!

So, let’s look at the beauty that is peppermint oil:

–       Improves symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) (see this study where it helped 75% of children)

–       Antiviral (this study shows its effects against herpes simplex)

–       Antispasmodic (in this study it’s used during endoscopies)

–       Improves taste & smell (inhale before eating)

–       Supports liver and respiratory systems

–       Improves concentration, attention and mental sharpness (read this fascinating study)

–       Triggers sensation of fullness; affects brain’s satiety center (see this study)

–       Boosts exercise routines (read more)

–       Soothes headaches and head pressure (rub on temples)

–       Improves energy (rub on neck and shoulders)

–       Relieves digestive upset (rub on abdomen)

–       Reduces bruising (rub directly on bruised area)

–       Reduces swelling & chronic inflammation (rub on unbroken skin)

–       Relieves arthritis & tendonitis pain (rub on affected areas)

–       Reduces sore feet (rub on feet mixed with your favorite lotion)

–     Deters pests (our organic pest guy uses organic peppermint oil to spray everywhere!)

Let’s use it:

Diffuse or inhale it.

Dilute it and apply topically.

Drink it in water or tea.

Read more about why we choose Young Living oils ONLY.

If you’re ready to sign up and begin using essential oils, CLICK HERE and use Sponsor ID & Enroller ID: 1414775. Your body and mind and spirit will thank you.

July 17, 2014

Roasted Asparagus Recipe

You may notice on my Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration posts that I roast a lot of vegetables! In my opinion, there’s no better way to bring out the delicate flavors of nature’s great vegetables than to drizzle them lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast! I made Roasted Asparagus this week, as well as roasted cauliflower. The recipe remains the same, for the most part; the only thing that changes is the length of cooking time.

The recipe is simple!

Roasted Asparagus

1 bunch of asparagus washed, hard ends snapped off (snap in half – optional)
1-2 TBSP high heat oil (like Safflower, Sunflower, or Coconut – not olive)
Salt & pepper to taste

Arrange your asparagus on the pan and drizzle your oil evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix the oil and spice into the asparagus and spread it out.

Place in your oven, preheated to 425F. Set your timer for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, poke your asparagus with a fork. If it’s still very firm, shake the pan a little and put in for an additional 5 minutes. Repeat until desired firmness. Usually, I cook for 12-15 minutes total.

July 14, 2014

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of July 14, 2014.
So. Hot. Please, no oven! I don’t want to do salads EVERY night, but wow, it’s hot. What are your cool dinner ideas for hot summer days and nights?

We chose Kroger this week again. With how much amazing fruit is available right now and how much our kids want to eat it, we couldn’t beat the prices. Their organic fruit prices are cheaper than Martin’s organic fruit sales this week (again). So, while we’re saving on fruit, we kind of have to settle with what else they happen to have for the rest of our grocery needs.

Mahi Mahi $5.99/lb
Organic Cherries $3.99/lb
Organic Mini Peeled Carrots 2 bags for $3
Organic grapes $1.99/lb
Organic strawberries 2 packs for $5
Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt Cups 10/$10 (plus coupon)
Blue Diamond Nut Thins 2/$4

All this great fruit, who needs to eat real food? Sigh. We do! Here it is:

Monday: Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi, quinoa and roasted asparagus (the fish is cooked in a skillet and I can roast the asparagus in the toaster oven)

Tuesday: My husband’s favorite oven baked BBQ chicken (drumsticks and thighs – the cheaper chicken), cauliflower roasted in the toaster oven, and mashed potatoes (yeah, I’ll have to use the oven for this one….)

Wednesday: My daughter’s favorite: spaghetti and meatballs with spinach – all stove top

Thursday: Vegetarian curry with sweet potatoes, tofu, broccoli, red pepper and coconut milk, served over rice (we are not big tofu eaters – it’s SO controversial, but every once in a while….)

Are you following me on Pinterest? Facebook?

July 7, 2014

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of July 7, 2014.
There is sadness in our home this week. We said goodbye to our 17-year old cat this weekend and one thing that brought it home for me was sketching out our meal plans for the week. Each day, I knew she would not be with us. I share this loss with you, as my loving readers, to say that, grief is real, no matter what triggers it and we all deserve our time, however much time we may need. Meal plans are necessary in our home. Eating take-out is not going to make my body, heart, or budget feel better even if all I want to do is sit around and cry. I may be slow to writing, posting and responding as we mourn our loss, but I am still here, still committed to health and healing.

Some sales this week at Martin’s to share:
– Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon (fresh): $11.99 / lb – the BEST salmon to eat and one that is usually too expensive to purchase fresh
– Nature’s Promise chicken (whole, drumsticks or thighs): $1.49 / lb – great time to stock up
– Stonyfield Greek Yogurt cups: 10/$10, also use a coupon to save $0.50 – perfect for Monday breakfasts when we’re a little slow-moving

Monday: Roasted salmon, roasted sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli

Tuesday: Roast chicken with potatoes, carrots and steamed green beans

Wednesday: Ground beef casserole with pasta, spinach and cheese (think spaghetti but baked with cheese on top) with salad

Thursday: (new recipe) Healthy Loaded Black Bean Nachos

Are you following me on Pinterest yet? Facebook?

June 30, 2014

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of June 30th, 2014. We are heading into July with open arms! I hope yours is filled with great summer plans, like ours.

Kroger wins this week. Our grocery budget has been a major concern of mine. Trying to trim where we can, but not trimming out healthy food, has not seemed to work lately! Our grocery bill continues to be high and rising. How about yours? A glance at Martin’s competitor store made me do a double-take. Kroger had way more organic food on sale this week. We got wild Alaskan silverbrite salmon for $4.99 a pound, organic chicken 20% off, organic cherries for $4.99 a bag and organic berries 2 packages for $6. These prices do NOT compare to Martin’s prices this week. Word to the wise, keep an eye on the competition.

Monday: Salmon salads (broiled salmon atop lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber)

Tuesday: Chicken fried rice (pretty easy to cook up some onions, garlic, chicken, eggs and vegetables and mix with rice and spices)

Wednesday: Tamale Pie (have you tried this yet? It’s so versatile!)

Thursday: We are doing take-out night early because it’s a long weekend – hooray!

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June 23, 2014

Weekly Meal Planning Inspiration

For the week of July 23, 2014.

I have so many favorite meals, but I am always looking for new things. I like the inspiration of a new recipe, new flavors and new scents filling the house. Can you relate?

Here they are for you and your inspiration:

Monday: Tilapia tacos with refried beans. I love the simplicity and coolness of tacos – lots of sides, mix and match and some great beans on the side. I have been canning my own beans, so I use the black canned beans and heat them with some oil and chicken broth until they’re mashable. Then I sprinkle some yogurt cheese on top and serve.

Tuesday: Chicken, asparagus, broccoli stir-fry over rice

Wednesday: Shepherd’s pie (this recipe says it’s a slow cooker recipe, but most of it is done on the stove anyway)

Thursday: Quinoa kale patties with roasted brussels sprouts – I haven’t made these patties in a long time, but they’re sooooo good!

Enjoy!

Are you following me on Pinterest? Check out my Favorite Recipes and Recipes To Try.

June 19, 2014September 21, 2019

Take-out Friday

This is just a Public Service Announcement: Take-out Friday might be really beneficial to your relationship with your children.
On take-out Friday we get take-out. Pretty simple really. So why might it benefit my relationship with my kids? I’m not getting dinner on the table after nap time. I’m not chopping vegetables and regulating snack choices. I’m not handing them projects and games while rushing back to the sink. On take-out Friday, I get to sit down and color, read, talk, and play. It’s my own version of quality Daddy time (the kind he gets at night when it’s just him and them and no chores in the mix).

Take-out Friday might not be great health-wise, or budget-wise, but it is great parenting-wise. Right when I think we should stop doing it to save money or put more nutritious food on the table I’m reminded that A) we eat nutritious meals 3 times a day and almost 7 days a week; B) Take-out runs us $20-40 and I could almost spend that on another meal; C) I can’t put a price on these afternoons.

It’s not actually just the afternoon it helps with; it’s the whole day. Who doesn’t like Friday? I wake up feeling like we’ve almost made it to the weekend. I usually plan something fun with the kids and during nap time I get some work done or a project I’ve wanted to do or a phone call I’ve wanted to make. Not once do I think, do I need to thaw something from the freezer? I don’t stress over what I should try to get done while they’re sleeping or playing. I actually just get to be Mommy.

Take-out Friday is a simple way for us to all celebrate the end of the week and each other. Less dishes, less mess, less stress, less busy-ness…. More love, more laughter, more play time and more meaningful conversations. So, if you haven’t tried giving yourself a night off regularly so you can just be with your family, try it!

June 12, 2014September 23, 2019

Upgrading Our Holistic Medicine Cabinet

The newest change I’m going to talk about today is the use of essential oils. I’ve mentioned oils before here and here. I’m going to be editing those posts to specify which brand of oil to use. It has come to my attention through time, education and research, that the oils being sold on the shelves of grocery stores are not the same oils being used in various recipes for health and cleaning. I used to shrug it off and say, “I’m not signing up for something when there’s an oil right here I can buy.” Obviously, no harm came to me from doing that, but did I truly reap the benefits?

Here’s one fact that made me rethink my oil purchases: Lavender oil is known for its healing properties, especially when it comes to burns on the skin. Much research is compiled describing how quickly lavender oil has healed skin. However, there is also research stating the opposite. People have applied lavender oil to their skin after a burn and actually experienced more pain and worsened burns. Do you know why? Because most lavender oils out there do not contain lavender oil; they contain lavandin – a hybrid lavender, which is very different, chemically, from pure lavender oil. This is just one example of one oil that has been adulterated… In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk.

I have found that one company meets the criteria necessary to create therapeutic grade oils that I’m choosing to put on myself and my family: Young Living. It’s likely you’ve heard of them and maybe even wondered the value or importance of their oils. Without going too much into the science behind the amazing work they do, I will say this: Young Living talks about “Seed to Seal”. Every step of their process, from the seed that is planted in the ground to the seal on the top of an essential oil bottle, has to meet absolute perfection or they will not sell it. There are times an oil will be unavailable for months at a time because they have not been able to guarantee the high quality they stand behind. For this reason, I trust them to provide us with the therapeutic grade oils we are coming to love and use regularly.

What can you use these oils for? I don’t even think I can begin to offer a comprehensive list, but here are some remedies:

Lavender and lemon oils for seasonal allergies (I know people personally who have ceased using allergy medications because of this simple and easy remedy)
Lavender and frankincense oils for skin abrasions, bites and bumps
Juniper and lemon oils for gout
Spearmint, fennel and wintergreen oils for colitis
Jasmine, frankincense, rosemary and cedarwood oils for depression
Peppermint and lemon oils for fever
Helichrysum and juniper oils for tinnitus
Fennel, tarragon and peppermint oils for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

How do we use the oils? There are many ways. Diffusing them in a diffuser so you breathe in the aromatic benefits is one way. Putting a couple of drops in your hands (or on a pillow case) and inhaling them will also work. Rubbing them on the bottom of your feet or on specific body parts like the neck or chest is very beneficial. Putting them in capsules and taking them internally, when specified, is helpful. Using them in recipes or beverages, when applicable, can also produce incredible results.

Here’s a challenge for you: Go to your search engine and enter “Young Living” _______ (fill in the blank with whatever ailment you are curious about). Put Young Living in quotation marks to assure that you get results specific to this brand of oils. Tell me what you find. What I’ve found are miraculous testimonies of people experiencing great health, wellness and recovery with these oils. My intent is to amaze you with the healing possibilities of these oils and perhaps spark some curiosity in you, the way it was sparked in me, to do some research and find some results that you’ve been looking for. You can also view my essential oils board on Pinterest here.

If you’ve thought about these oils and you’re ready to try them, it’s easy. Follow this link and select to be either a retail or wholesale consumer (wholesale members save 24% off retail price). Enter my Sponsor ID and Enroller ID as your referral (# 1414775) and my name (Theresa Rosenthal). That’s it! You can use their Essential Rewards program (ordering monthly to earn points toward free product, while getting cheaper shipping) or just buy as you need.

If you do sign up, look for a special gift from me in the mail and also know that I am here working alongside of you to help you realize your healthiest potential. I’m available to answer questions and help you create blends and protocols unique to your situation.

June 12, 2014

Upgrading Our Holistic Medicine Cabinet

Change is coming to our family medicine cabinet and it’s definitely for the better! I’ve actually thought about doing an entire post highlighting our family medicine cabinet, although it’s actually spread throughout our home. We are very particular about the supplements, foods and herbs that we use because quality is of the utmost importance. Most of our “go-to” remedies are not federally regulated; that being said, finding high quality remedies often requires an investment and a lot of research.

The newest change I’m going to talk about today is the use of essential oils. I’ve mentioned oils before here and here. I’m going to be editing those posts to specify which brand of oil to use. It has come to my attention through time, education and research, that the oils being sold on the shelves of grocery stores are not the same oils being used in various recipes for health and cleaning. I used to shrug it off and say, “I’m not signing up for something when there’s an oil right here I can buy.” Obviously, no harm came to me from doing that, but did I truly reap the benefits?

Now that I know the value of therapeutic grade oils, there is no going back. We are slowly making the investment of purchasing many oils for various recipes and uses. Our children already ask for certain oils over previous salves and medicines we were using for scrapes and bites.

Here’s one fact that made me rethink my oil purchases: Lavender oil is known for its healing properties, especially when it comes to burns on the skin. Much research is compiled describing how quickly lavender oil has healed skin. However, there is also research stating the opposite. People have applied lavender oil to their skin after a burn and actually experienced more pain and worsened burns. Do you know why? Because most lavender oils out there do not contain lavender oil; they contain lavandin – a hybrid lavender, which is very different, chemically, from pure lavender oil. This is just one example of one oil that has been adulterated… In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk.

Oils on the shelves of health food and grocery stores are aromatic and can be very pleasant, if not helpful in that way, but they are not therapeutic and should not be used for therapeutic purposes. A therapeutic oil is one that contains the original properties of the plant, tree, flower or bush from which it is derived. Do you know how complicated this is? It means from the very seed that is planted, to the environment the plant is grown in, from the weather to the absence of pesticides, from harvesting of the plant to deriving the oil from it, something can go wrong, rendering that oil non-therapeutic and potentially unhealthy!

I have found that one company meets the criteria necessary to create therapeutic grade oils that I’m choosing to put on myself and my family: Young Living. It’s likely you’ve heard of them and maybe even wondered the value or importance of their oils. Without going too much into the science behind the amazing work they do, I will say this: Young Living talks about “Seed to Seal”. Every step of their process, from the seed that is planted in the ground to the seal on the top of an essential oil bottle, has to meet absolute perfection or they will not sell it. There are times an oil will be unavailable for months at a time because they have not been able to guarantee the high quality they stand behind. For this reason, I trust them to provide us with the therapeutic grade oils we are coming to love and use regularly.

What can you use these oils for? I don’t even think I can begin to offer a comprehensive list, but here are some remedies:

Lavender and lemon oils for seasonal allergies (I know people personally who have ceased using allergy medications because of this simple and easy remedy)
Lavender and frankincense oils for skin abrasions, bites and bumps
Juniper and lemon oils for gout
Spearmint, fennel and wintergreen oils for colitis
Jasmine, frankincense, rosemary and cedarwood oils for depression
Peppermint and lemon oils for fever
Helichrysum and juniper oils for tinnitus
Fennel, tarragon and peppermint oils for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

From MS to cancer, cerebral palsy to neuropathy, pneumonia, polio, shingles, strep throat and countless other conditions, ailments, and symptoms – there’s an oil for that. Or a few oils. Or a proprietary blend of oils that are made specifically for what ails you.

How do we use the oils? There are many ways. Diffusing them in a diffuser so you breathe in the aromatic benefits is one way. Putting a couple of drops in your hands (or on a pillow case) and inhaling them will also work. Rubbing them on the bottom of your feet or on specific body parts like the neck or chest is very beneficial. Putting them in capsules and taking them internally, when specified, is helpful. Using them in recipes or beverages, when applicable, can also produce incredible results.

Here’s a challenge for you: Go to your search engine and enter “Young Living” _______ (fill in the blank with whatever ailment you are curious about). Put Young Living in quotation marks to assure that you get results specific to this brand of oils. Tell me what you find. What I’ve found are miraculous testimonies of people experiencing great health, wellness and recovery with these oils. My intent is to amaze you with the healing possibilities of these oils and perhaps spark some curiosity in you, the way it was sparked in me, to do some research and find some results that you’ve been looking for. You can also view my essential oils board on Pinterest here.

If you’ve thought about these oils and you’re ready to try them, it’s easy. Follow this link and select to be either a retail or wholesale consumer (wholesale members save 24% off retail price). Enter my Sponsor ID and Enroller ID as your referral (# 1414775) and my name (Theresa Rosenthal). That’s it! You can use their Essential Rewards program (ordering monthly to earn points toward free product, while getting cheaper shipping) or just buy as you need.

If you do sign up, look for a special gift from me in the mail and also know that I am here working alongside of you to help you realize your healthiest potential. I’m available to answer questions and help you create blends and protocols unique to your situation.