Your GUT is a GARDEN!

Your Gut is a Garden... Learning how to tend it is the missing link to achieving health and happiness!   Of all the newsletters I have published in the last 2 years I think this one is by far the most important one.  This much I can promise you: if you do not have a healthy digestive foundation (and most of us don't) nothing else you do for your health will matter. This month's issue is devoted to gut health, particularly in the colon and next month we will talk about your liver. Have you ever noticed that you are happier when your gut is functioning properly and miserable in every way when it is not?  When things aren't "moving as they should" you are depressed.  Listless.  Bloated.  When your digestion is at its best, you have more energy and less pain. You don't get sick as easily. Your general outlook on life is brighter.  Why is this? The answer may surprise you. A quick look at your microscopic story. The cells within your body are actually outnumbered by the microbes that live inside of you. Yup.  You read that right. It is a staggering truth.  So I will say it again. For every ONE cell that makes up your body, there are TEN bacteria, parasites, or fungi vying for space. In other words, you are outnumbered by your little microscopic guests 10:1. Not all of these microbes are a threat.  In fact some of them are vital for your health. And nowhere is this more true than in your large intestine.  Think of your colon as a garden.  As with a garden, both helpful and UNhelpful things grow there. As the gardener, it is up to you to decide what your colon will produce and in what amounts. If you were born via a normal delivery (ie not a C Section), your good bacteria (referred to as probiotics) were actually bequeathed to you by your mother at the moment you entered the world.  They stay with you throughout your life and keep the walls of your colon healthy. Your body depends on them to break down the food you eat into compounds it can use for other functions such as healthy immunity and mood stabilization.  Your probiotic garden depends on you to take care of it... to feed it what it needs and get plenty of exercise and rest so it can thrive.  It is a mutually beneficial relationship. On the other side of the spectrum, an overgrowth of bad microbes erodes your intestinal wall, overwhelms your immune system, and whittles away at your Seratonin supply.  When this happens, your physical, mental and emotional health will suffer.   FACT:  Seratonin is a vital chemical in your body that regulates your brain's emotional health. Anti depressant medications artificially increase your Seratonin levels, but they cause many unwanted side effects. I90% of this chemical is produced by the healthy bacteria in your colon. Heal your colon, heal your emotions! Your brain's relationship with your belly is a powerful one.  Your microbes (both good and bad) know this. They don't just hang out in your colon and wait for you to feed them.  They actually send out chemical messages to your brain that ASK for the nutrients they need.  And they actively compete for space in your garden just like weeds compete with peas and carrots.  Your brain is highly sensitive to their microscopic messages and creates cravings within you that drive you to feed whichever strains of microbes are present in the greatest numbers.  As you might expect, the "good bugs" thrive on fruits, vegetables, fiber, and healthy fats. "Bad bugs" thrive on bad foods such as sugars and unhealthy fats. But remember.  YOU are the higher being.  You have free will!  You can make conscious choices about the kind of microbes you will nurture in your belly.  The group that you choose to feed will come to dominate your belly space just as their craving messages will dominate your thoughts.  This issue is about your Gut Garden and how you can tend and nurture it.  As with most things in holistic health, the key to your success is finding natural ways to achieve a healthy balance.   So read on... and...   Happy GARDENING!  ~Juli Anne   Prebiotics...  Foods that Feed the Good  "Prebiotic" is a fancy word for nutrients that feed the helpful bacteria (probiotics) in your garden.   Think of prebiotics as your daily shot of nutrient-rich mulch. Prebiotic foods contain high levels of soluable fiber, partially digesting into a gel-like substance that coats, soothes, and repairs the lining of your colon and creates a soft "substrate" that feeds healthy bacteria and allows them to gain a stronger foothold.  Next time you are craving sweets or starches, reach for something on this list instead.  As you do this consistently you will see your cravings for bad foods drastically diminish over time! Garlic, leeks, and onions Asparagus Wheat bran, oatmeal Bananas, oranges, apricots Oranges Squash and carrots Flax seed Benefiber Activia Yogurt Dark Chocolate (at least 70% Cacao... read the labels...go for low sugar!)  Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) Fructooligosaccharides or FOS (Added to doTERRA's Probiotic formula...see below)  You can look up the fiber content of almost any food by {going here}.  Healthy bacteria also love fermented foods.  Here is a good list:  Dairy (yogurt, Kefir, raw unpasteurized cheeses)  Pickled vegetables (cucumbers, carrots and cauliflower, beets, Sauerkraut) Fermented Soy Products (Miso, Tofu,Tempeh)  Getting these items into your routine isn't hard.  Take a probiotic supplement with FOS with meals.  (See the spotlight on doTERRA supplements in this newsletter.)  Mix a delicious prebiotic smoothie (Think "Miracle-Gro".) for breakfast.  (See recipes below.) Add some Sauerkraut to your lunch sandwich.  Ditch the mashed potatoes and eat some butternut squash with dinner.  Skip the commercial salad dressing and dress your dinner salad with olive oil and fresh minced garlic instead.  Sprinkle ground flax seed on your salad instead of croutons.   Add a spoonful of Benefiber and a drop or two of doTERRA peppermint or spearmint oil to your ice water every day.  The Benefiber provides soluable fiber and the oils curb sugar cravings.   When making food choices, think nutrient-rich mulch.  A little bit here and there every day goes a long way!  Education Corner:   Spotlighting doTERRA's PB Assist+ (Probiotic Defense Formula)  PB Assist+ is doTERRA's proprietary probiotic formula.  Its special double layered capsules deliver 6 billion CFUs of active probiotic cultures AND soluble pre-biotic FOS (fructooligosaccharides) to your colon with every dose.  Take one capsule in the morning and one at bedtime for just two weeks out of every month to "reseed" your gut garden continually! Prebiotic Smoothie Heaven... SO Good!  You'll love them! Take your morning PB Assist with one of these delicious prebiotic breakfast smoothies and GET YOUR GUT GARDENING ON!  At night consider taking a prebiotic powder  in a cup of almond milk with your evening PB Assist.  If things still aren't "moving" you can also take 2-4 capsules of Magnesium 200 mg with Amino Acids by Solar Ray.  (Warning:  If you are chronically constipated, you may experience flatulence or bloating for the first few days with this approach.  If you do, make slight adjustments but stick with it!  Things will settle down after a few days and you will feel amazing!)  *To explore other prebiotic smoothie recipes {go here}.

Peaches and Cream Smoothie 2 peaches (ripe, pitted, cut up or 2 cups frozen peaches) 1 frozen banana (remove skin before freezing) 1/2 cup almond milk 1/4 cup quick oats 1/4 cup fresh orange juice OR 3 cutie tangerines, peeled* 1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional) 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 teaspoon Prebiotic Powder OR Benefiber Healthy Shape (optional) Orange Carrot Smoothie 1 cup fresh orange juice 1/2 cup greek yogurt or Kefir 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 frozen bananas (ripe) 1 cup sliced carrots 1 cup pineapple chunks 1-2 drops doTERRA Wild Orange oil 1 teaspoon Prebiotic FiberOR Benefiber Healthy Shape (optional)  Blueberry Muffin Smoothie 1 1/2 cups orange juiceOR 3 Cutie tangerines, peeled* 2/3 cup frozen blueberries (or fresh) 1/2 cup rolled oats 2 tablespoons flaxseed oil 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon OR 2 drops doTERRA Cinnamon Bark oil 1 cup ice cubes 1 teaspoon Prebiotic FiberOR Benefiber Healthy Shape (optional)

What is Wrong with Healthcare?

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What is Wrong With Healthcare??

doTERRA steps forward to announce major NEW Healthcare Initiative in the US for 2018!

It is no secret that the healthcare system in the United States is broken. Every year we devote nearly $10,000 per capita per household to healthcare. Yet our infant mortality rate is higher than Japan, Italy, France, Germany OR the UK.  It is estimated that 1 in 3 American children born in 2015 now has a chance of becoming diabetic during his lifetime. A 2015 study conducted by the World Health Organization reported that life expectancy in the US came in at a dismal 4th (78.9 years) behind Japan (83.7), France (82.8), and the UK (81.4).  At its current rate of decline, life expectancy in this country is projected to be on par with the likes of Czech Republic, Croatia, and Mexico by 2030.  Much of what ails us is to be improved with simple lifestyle changes. What is the fix?  doTERRA has stepped up to offer a solution. During their 2017 Global Convention, company leadership announced the launch of their ambitious "doTERRA Healthcare Initiative." Set to open its first integrative medical clinic in 2018, this new approach will implement a team of dedicated doctors (MDs and DOs), nutritionists, essential oil experts, and wellness coaches to ensure that patients become involved in and receive the highest level of care. Additionally, patients will have 24/7 access to their doctors via telemedicine and more face time when they meet with their doctor in person.

Dr. Brannick Riggs, MD has practiced medicine for 13 years in Roy, Utah.  He is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine and completed a fellowship with the Dr. Andrew Weil, MD of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.  He will serve as the Vice President of the newly launched doTERRA Healthcare Initiative and Chief Medical Director of doTERRA's first integrative healthcare clinic. The clinic is set to open in the central Utah valley area in 2018, with other partner and affiliate clinics and a 24/7 tele-health service soon to follow.

"The average doctor sees 45 patients a day.  Which leaves each patient just 7 minutes to spend with their physician." Explained central Utah family physician, Dr.  Brannick Riggs.  "It is impossible to accurately diagnose and treat in that amount of time." Dr. Riggs went on to say that pharmaceutical and insurance companies are at the heart of the problem. "Who else will take on healthcare?"  He asked.  "Pharmaceutical companies are lobbying heavily to keep the status quo.  And the insurance companies’ priority is to make a profit for investors… often at odds with what is best for the patient." The project aims to incorporate essential oils and other integrative approaches into a traditional healthcare model. Empowering patients with natural solutions and good information which will inevitably lead to lower healthcare costs and improved patient outcomes. Dr. Riggs currently practices Family Medicine in Roy, Utah. He will serve as the Vice President of the Initiative and Chief Medical Director of doTERRA's new medical clinic, set to open in north central Utah in 2018. doTERRA partner clinics, along with a nationwide 24/7 tele-health service, will be soon to follow.

Excited Yet???   To learn more and bring an integrative clinic to your area {Click Here NOW!!!}

Questions about essential oils?  Let me help!    Contact me here!

Clove Oil and Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer:  Mother Nature's Cruel Trick and What You Can Do About it!

It’s a good thing Mother Nature keeps on making me sick.  Because, let’s face it, if she didn’t I might run out of interesting subjects for our monthly newsletters! You might remember that in January, I wrote about {how I used my essential oils to support my recovery} from a delicate nerve operation I underwent for Tarlov Cyst Disease. Little did I know in January that my health challenges were just beginning.  .....In March my routine mammogram came back suspicious. .....In April I was diagnosed with invasive, hormone-positive, lobular carcinoma in my right breast. .....In May I turned 50 and .....In June I underwent a lumpectomy with reconstruction of both breasts.  In July I came down with a case of Shingles because my immune system was tanked (no surprise there)... and in August I will begin 5 weeks of radiation therapy.   At some point my oncologist wants me to begin taking hormone suppressing drugs to reduce my chances of a cancer recurrence. Unfortunately use of these hormone suppressing drugs will weaken my bones, putting the site of my nerve operation at risk and predisposing me to:  Osteoporosis Arthritis Heart Disease Bone pain Weight gain  and.... (drum roll please...)  Depression.  Groovy. All of this has caused me to ask some pretty important questions:  What can I do to turn this ship around?  How can I restore my immune system?  Can I use my oils to curb some of these unpleasant side effects? Which oils can be used as complementary care?  There is so much I would like address on these issues… but this month I think it is Clove oil that tickles my fancy.   And here’s why:

Native to Indonesia, Cloves are the reddish-black dried flower buds of the evergreen Clove tree.  Steam extracted from these buds, the oil possesses important anti-tumoral, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

In studies published in 2012, 2013, and 2014 clove oil and its extract, eugenol showed great promise in the fight against Breast Cancer.  It was tested in vitro (in a petri dish) against a line of invasive, hormone-positive breast cancer cells exactly like mine.   All three studies concluded that the eugenol in clove oil:  Induced death in the cancer cells  Inhibited the expression of proteins that cause the cancer cells to divide and move AND Did not harm healthy human breast cells  Perhaps most excitingly, the 2012 study concluded that the eugenol:  Shut down estrogen receptors on these cancer cells and  Had “similar or even better affinities to estrogen receptors than tamoxifen and its metabolites.” This is a huge find!  It means that clove oil will essentially kill breast cancers like mine, shut down their estrogen positive properties, and prevent them from dividing or moving elsewhere... all without negative side effects. WIN, WIN!! I plan on working with my oncologist to complement my cancer treatments with clove oil for an even better outcome with fewer side effects.  Researching clove oil makes me feel empowered and gives me hope that I can improve my chances of survival without damaging the rest of me in the process. Happy Oiling!  ~Juli  Questions about essential oils?  Let me help!    Contact me here!

Spring Cleaning: Non Toxic Cleaning for a Healthier Home

Spring Cleaning:  Protect Your Health While Amping Up Your Cleaning Power!

Have you ever wondered what your household cleaning products may be doing to your health?  If you have, you are not alone. “We assume that our cleaning products are safe”  warns health and wellness author Jessie Sholl, “But, in fact, many popular household cleaners are dangerously toxic.”  This toxicity can tax your immune system and drive inflammation (a precursor to disease). Adding insult to injury, terms like “biodegradable”, "natural" and “unscented” can be misleading to consumers. But there are options out there.  It can even be fun to experiment with making your own natural cleaning products. When I was first introduced to this concept I have to admit I found it a bit overwhelming.  After all, old habits die hard.  But I have come to realize that learning how to pair your essential oils with cheap, natural substances like vinegar, borax, baking soda, or castile soap can be empowering... and kind of fun.  And you don't have to do everything at once. This issue is full of information and ideas.  Some of them I have tried and many of them I want to try.  So just spend some time with it. Pick one or two ideas that really appeal to you and give it a whirl! Happy Oiling!  ~Juli  5 Dangers Hiding in Your Cleaning Supplies   1.  Fragranced cleaning products, air fresheners, and scented toilet papers:  These products contain phthalates which are absorbed through inhalation and skin contact.  They are known to trigger migraines and asthma and disrupt hormone levels in your body.   What to try instead:  Ditch your Febreze and Glade!  Replace them with simple do-it-yourself deodorizing sprays. (See recipes below.)  "Defunk" a kitchen dishwasher by adding lemon oil to the detergent cup when you run a load.  OR see the "Dishwasher Defunk" recipe below.   {Click here} to learn how to make a simple, fragrant, "pthalate-free" furniture polish. 2.  "Antibacterial" anything:  The number one ingredient in antibacterial products is Triclosan.  The American Medical Association has found no evidence that Triclosan is making any of us healthier. In fact this chemical compound actually makes bacteria more antibiotic resistant. It is currently being investigated as a possible endocrine disruptor in the human body and is suspected to be a carcinogen. In 2016 the FDA banned Triclosan from hand and bar soap but it still lingers in other consumer products such as acne treatments, dish soap, body washes, and toothpaste.   What to try instead:  On Guard is your best friend in this regard.  Consider the following:  Sanitize your hands with a homemade solution of tap water and On Guard essential oil blend in {2 oz glass spray bottle}.   Try doTERRA's On Guard foaming hand wash. I keep a dispenser of it at each sink in my house. Replace your antibacterial dish soap with On Guard Cleaner Concentrate and use On Guard laundry detergent and toothpaste too! Apply melaleuca oil with a carrier oil to promote healthy skin, especially for the Acne prone.  (or you can use doTERRA's HD Clear essential oil infused products.  My son uses these and they are AMAZING!)   3.  Liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets:  These products contain quaternary ammonium compounds (or "quats"). This compound is (ironically) a known skin irritant in some people and suspected of contributing to many respiratory disorders.  The fragrances in these products are known hormone disrupters. What to Try Instead:  Soften your laundry naturally by adding 1/4 cup white vinegar and a few drops of melaleuca or lavender oil to your wash water. Try using reusable {woolen dryer balls} to fluff and separate laundry as it dries. Sprinkle a few drops of your favorite oil on the balls to infuse a pleasant fragrance as they spin. 4.  Window, kitchen, and multipurpose household cleaners:  These products contain butoxyethanol.   This compound is a known throat irritant and can contribute to narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage when one is exposed to high levels.  Yet, shockingly, manufacturers are not required to disclose its use on their labeling.     What to try instead:  Clean windows with newspaper and white vinegar for a streak free shine. For kitchen and bathroom scouring tasks, stick to simple scouring products such as Bon Ami.  Or use the recipe at the end of this letter to concoct your own scouring powder.   Clean kitchen counters and doorknobs with a solution of tap water and 2 Tbsp On Guard Cleaner Concentrate in an {8 ounce glass bottle}.   5.  Oven cleaners and drain openers:  The active ingredient in these products is sodium hydroxide, more commonly known as lye.  It is extremely corrosive to skin and airways.   What to try instead:  Scour your oven with a paste made of baking soda, salt, vinegar, and lemon essential oil. Lemon oil is very effective at cutting grease and freshening a space.  The recipe for this paste is below. Clear drains with a {mechanical snaking tool}, or use the essential oil drain clearing recipe below.  Recipes... (Links for purchasing materials are provided.) Deodorizing Essentials "Spring Fling" Room Spray  20 drops each lemon, grapefruit and lime oils.  Fill spray bottle with distilled water. Cat-Box Clean Sprinkle lavender oil on floor then damp mop. Bathroom Bliss:  20 drops each lemon, lime, and lavender oils.  Fill spray bottle with distilled water. Shake before each use.  Fill your spray bottle 3/4 of the way with tap water.  Add 10-20 drops of each oil and top off with water.  Adjust oil amounts to account for size of bottle and strength of smell desired.  Shake before spraying. I keep an {8 oz glass spray bottle} of "Bathroom Bliss" in each bathroom.  It is amazing how well this works!  Want to try even more cool sprays?  {Check out this blog.}  She gets even jiggier with it, experimenting with things like Vodka and vanilla in her sprays!   "Dishwasher Defunk"  2 Tbsp {powdered citric acid} 5 drops lemon oil Place citric acid in detergent cup with the lemon oil.  Run the machine through an entire cycle while not loaded.  Natural Scouring Powder 1/2 cup baking soda 6 drops essential oil (lavender, rosemary, lemon, lime, or wild orange) 1/4 cup white vinegar Rinse sink or bathtub thoroughly.  Prepare scouring agent by combining baking soda and essential oils . Sprinkle the scouring agent over the surface.  Wet the surface thoroughly with 1/4 cup white vinegar. When fizzing stops scour the surface and rinse. Scouring agent can be premixed and stored in a mason jar.  Amount can be adjusted according to size of surface. Natural Carpet Shampoo 3 cups water 3/4 cup {Castile soap} 10 drops peppermint oil Combine ingredients in {glass spray bottle}. Apply liberally to carpet.  Rub and foam into carpet with damp sponge.  Let dry thoroughly and vaccuum.  Natural Oven Cleaner heatproof dish water 1 cup salt 1 cup baking soda 1 cup vinegar 10 drops lemon oil Fill heatproof dish with water and place in oven. Turn on heat and allow enough time for steam to loosen baked on grease.  Once the oven is cool, apply a paste of equal parts salt, baking soda, and vinegar (with 10 drops lemon oil).  Scour and rinse.   Drain Clearing Recipe 1 cup baking soda 10 drops lemon or grapefruit essential oil 1 cup white vinegar Pour ingredients down the drain in order.  Plug drain for 30 minutes then rinse.  Questions about essential oils?  Let me help!    Contact me here!