Supporting your Respiratory System

One of Life’s many miracles is that of gas exchange between air and the blood in our lungs. This amazing feat of Creative Engineering enables us to use the Oxygen from air for cellular respiration; as well as off- gassing the resultant Carbon Dioxide to balance the blood pH.

The star of this show is the humble Alveoli. We have approximately 700 Million of these tiny bubbles lining our lung surface.(5)  At the capillary level, these babies bring Red Blood Cells into close contact with the air we breathe—handing off CO2 for O2 with each breath.

With such an important role in quality of life, when things go wrong with the respiratory system it really shows. Some common problems include:

• ARDS- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Pneumonias- infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, virus, fungus, etc.
• Lung Cancers
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Asthma- a chronic inflammatory condition where lung passages are temporarily constricted. It is this phenomenon I want to focus on for a moment. 

Asthma is of particular importance because of the sharp rise in incidence (mainly children) during the past few decades.(1) Many researchers blame air quality for this increase in Asthma. (3) However, as Anandan et al show, even in the fresh air of Alaska, Asthma rates are rising.  In fact, the rates are rising in all Western and English speaking regions along with many developed countries. (1)

Some stats on Asthma from the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America: (4)

• According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 14 people have asthma. 
• About 24 million Americans have asthma. This is 7.4 percent of adults and 8.6 percent of children...6.3 million people under the age of 18.
• Asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s in all age, sex and racial groups. 
• Asthma is the leading chronic disease in children. It is also the top reason for missed school days. 
• Asthma is more common in adult women than adult men. 
• Asthma is more common in children than adults and more common in boys than girls.
• Almost 6.3 million people with asthma are under the age of 18. 

Like so many other health challenges, Asthma is not just a single cause, easily fixed issue. We believe it takes a Holistic view of ourselves to be healthy.   Toxin reduction, a diet of healthful (non GMO, organic, and locally produced) foods, stress reducing productive exercise, and naturally supportive supplements (essential oils, herbs, vitamins, and minerals) can support long term health.

Lets take a look at a few examples of each applied to supporting the respiratory system:

Toxin Reduction:

• Use allergen reducing air filters on your HVAC system
• Get to Cleansing (aka detoxing). Start with your colon. Try the 5 Day Nutritive Cleanse.
• Don’t use toxic chemical cleaners in your home! There are safe, effective alternatives…like Thieves.

Healthy Foods:

• Get away from the S.A.D. (standard American diet). 
• Eliminate sugar from your diet.  It doesn't have to be cold turkey- take a step!
• Shop the perimeter...better yet shop your farmer's market.
• Increase carotenoids and anti-oxidants (3). Try Ningxia Red

Productive Exercise:

• Obese people are more likely to develop asthma (4)
• Take a ½ hour walk or bike ride with your spouse and kids 5 days a week.
• Plant a garden and have a Saturday garden/yardwork family tradition.
• Lose weight naturally and sustainably.  Try the Slique system.

Natural Supplements: (We use Young Living because we’ve been to the farms)

• R.C., Breathe Again, Raven, Dorado Azul essential oil blends
• Diffuse Eucalyptus, Cobaiba, Myrtle, Idaho Balsam Fir single oils
• Ningxia Red, Inner Defense, Detoxzyme, Mineral Essence, ImmuPro supplements

Remember, ‘Health is a Journey’... One foot in front of the other!





1. Anandan C, Nurmatov U, van Schayck OCP, Sheikh A. Is the prevalence of asthma declining? Systematic review of epidemiological studies. Allergy 2010; 65: 152–167. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19912154

2. David R. Jacobs Jr. and Ravi Kalhan "Healthy Diets and Lung Health. Connecting the Dots",Annals of the American Thoracic Society, Vol. 13, No. 5 (2016), pp. 588-590.
doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201601-067ED

3. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2016 Mar-Apr;26(2):180-8. doi: 10.1038/jes.2015.57. Epub 2015 Sep 9.  Ambient air pollution and emergency department visits for asthma: a multi-city assessment of effect modification by age.  Alhanti BA1, Chang HH1, Winquist A2, Mulholland JA3, Darrow LA4, Sarnat SE2.

4. http://www.aafa.org/page/asthma-facts.aspx

5. 1. Roberts, M., Reiss, M., Monger, G. (2000) "Gaseous exchange."Advanced Biology. Surrey, Nelson. p. 167.

MusculoSkeletal Maintenance

Did you know leading an active lifestyle may reduce the risk of just about every malady from Alzheimer's to Osteoporosis? 

If you search Pubmed.gov for 'exercise disease prevention' you'll have your pick of over 11,000 related studies.  We've already talked about the importance of exercise to endocrine health--including Testosterone production, bone mass, and metabolism and weight control.

So....why is it that 50% of Americans don't exercise in any useful amount? (1)

Want some other troubling stats?

• Only 20% of Americans meet minimal aerobic and muscular strengthening benchmarks
• The demographic most likely to work out is the 18-24 year old.  After 24 the likelihood of exercise participation falls off dramatically. 
• Women are far more likely to Not Exercise than are men.
• Whites are more likely to exercise than are Blacks or Hispanics.

CDC, 2014

Isn't it sad that we spend our adult years unable or unwilling to be active the way we once were?

It appears we let life (ie work, family, ministry, etc.) get out of balance.

If the word, "Exercise" gives you flash backs to junior high PE class--it's time to retrain your brain! Everybody knows that feeling often follows action.  For instance, if you want to be a more caring person--what do you do?  You ACT in caring ways.  Even if you don't WANT to at present!  This is a very well known principal in intentional living.

I suggest there are a number of reasons most Americans don't exercise:

• "It takes too long"

• "It doesn't feel good (I hate being sore)"

• "It's embarrassing to try to get back into shape"

• "Memberships are too expensive"

• "We don't have room for all that equipment"

This is what plays in my head when these excuses worm their way in, "Just Do It".

Tabatas, a jump rope, and a little ingenuity can overcome all these objections, but I'd like to focus on the issue of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).

Current research proves that Lactic Acid is not the all-purpose scapegoat that it used to be.  DOMS, like all bodily functions, is a complex and interrelated process that science doesn't fully understand. Much data suggests cytokines and free radicals interact in the inflammatory response, causing pain. A recent study suggests, 'supplementation with polyphenols improves post-exercise strength recovery and muscle soreness'. (2)

According to a recent paper, "Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases is emerging. The health effects of polyphenols depend on the amount consumed and on their bioavailability." (3)

Ningxia Red is one of the most polyphenol rich products of comparable price and shelf life. The Grape seed extract contained in Ningxia Red, along with the citrus essential oils and Ningxia wolfberry make this a truly unique product from a company with 22 years of customer satisfaction and industry leadership. (4)

Some other ideas to reduce DOMS:

• Warm up and cool down--the older I get the more this helps during workouts and for recovery.

• Use a foam roller--these are inexpensive and very effective for self-massage.

• Switch to a diet that reduces inflammation (less  processed and GMO foods).

• Try Young Living's Ortho Sport massage oil, Cool Azul Sports Gel, or Panaway 

The other parts of the MusculoSkeletal system are the bones, ligaments, and connective tissues. 

BLM™ supports normal bone and joint health.* This formula combines powerful all-natural ingredients, such as type II collagen, MSM, glucosamine sulfate, and manganese citrate, enhanced with therapeutic-grade essential oils.

These ingredients have been shown to support healthy cell function and encourage joint health and fluid movement.*

Want another testament to the support of normal exercise recovery Young Living products can be a part of? Check out the Iron Cowboy. 50 Full Length IRONMANs--50 consecutive days--50 states.  Yes way.



How will you test out Young Living products?
The Iron Cowboy from Young Living on Vimeo.




*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This info is for education. You should choose for yourself what products you use in, on, and around your body. No one cares about your health more than you do.

1. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/earlyrelease201506_07.pdf

2. Food Nutr Res. 2015 Dec 18;59:30034. doi: 10.3402/fnr.v59.30034. eCollection 2015.
Supplementation with a polyphenolic blend improves post-exercise strength recovery and muscle soreness.
Herrlinger KA1, Chirouzes DM2, Ceddia MA2.

3. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/5/727.full

4. https://www.youngliving.com/blog/whats-red-and-now-contains-grape-seed-extract/

Keep Steppin'

We started this blog 6 months ago with the adage, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.  So, can I get personal for a moment and ask, “Have you taken a step”? 

Photo credit: Got Credit

Our goal with this blog is to define again (NOT Re-Define) health as being free from physical and mental ailment WITHOUT the use of man-made drugs.  This is what ‘health’ has meant for most of history—using natural aids to support normal function.  Like so many other areas of life, the very definition of health is being twisted these days.  Many people, healthcare professionals included, now define health as a state of controlled disease processes within acceptable limits through the use of pharmaceuticals.                                                                                            

We began with the endocrine system and attempted to give a broad brush stroke of the organs, glands, hormones, and their inter-related functions.  It reminds me of looking at pictures of the solar system—it is truly awe inspiring. 

Next, we looked at how healthy digestive and excretory systems work together to use the food we consume and eliminate the toxins we all accumulate.   

Then we saw some of the outward signs of when toxins are not eliminated, nutrients are not absorbed, and the body is not supported with the integumentary, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.

Over the next few posts we will look at the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and immune systems.

But, today, I want to challenge you to take a step.  It could be as simple as reading a book or article about healthier living, natural health support, or a health challenge you have identified as something you don’t want to become your ‘normal’. 

It could be making a deal with your family about your food budget, meal plan, and menu choices.

Maybe it’s a commitment to a daily quiet time, exercise schedule, or fast from an unhealthy habit.

Whatever it is you feel led to, go for it!  One thing is for sure, “if you change nothing, nothing will change”.   This is especially true in our health.

Here is an update on our little ‘Victory Garden’ in the backyard.  We let our hens till this bed in the fall, then planted and covered it in plastic at the beginning of January.  In about 60 square feet we’ve had never-ending salads of heirloom radishes, romaine lettuce, and arugula for the past month.  

Beets and carrots will soon be ready for the pulling—if we can restrain the kids that long.  The frame is light enough our 11 year old son can lift it for ventilation as the days grow warmer.  A lot can come from a little good dirt.

Little chilly still for our tomato starts, but they'll be hardened off well in a few weeks.  They outgrew the windowsill.

We’d love to see your ‘Victory Garden’!  Post a pic in the comments, and remember—all it takes to gain momentum is that First Step.

Stress...a Journey step

The Nervous System is made up of the brain, spinal column, and nerve tissues. It is the control room and communication channel for our bodies. It can be thought of in 2

complementary and overlapping spheres: the Central nervous system (CNS), and the Peripheral nervous system (PNS).

The PNS has been called the “feed and breed” system—generally pertaining to metabolic and hormonal processes such as digestion and reproduction among others.

The CNS is often known as the “fight or flight” system—mainly concerned with the hormones and processes needed for physical survival.

Stress is severely detrimental to the nervous system because of this close link with hormones and how widespread hormonal imbalances can quickly cause havoc.

Maslow’s hierarchy is a social/psychological theory which states that human needs build on each other starting with the most basic survival needs and progressing toward self-actualization and fulfillment. In a very real way, I believe our bodies operate on a similar hierarchy of needs. If a person is ‘locked in Fight or Flight’, their body will be constantly attempting to optimize hormonal and metabolic processes toward survival. Higher order processes, like reproduction and healing, are simply distracting when the body thinks it’s constantly under the gun.

Why is this? Cortisol is finding more and more support as the culprit. Cortisol has the following normal roles:

• Glucose and Insulin metabolism
• Blood pressure regulation
• Immune function
• Inflammatory response

In a normal person, Cortisol and Adrenaline are released by the Adrenal glands into the

blood stream to amp the body up for ‘Fight or Flight’. Once the threat is over, the Pituitary gland releases hormones that ‘shut off’ the ‘go time’ hormones. For many people however, there is no off switch. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in military and civilian first responder communities has raised public awareness sharply about the real physical dangers associated with stress. But it’s important to know that PTSD can occur in anyone. We are all different, and we all cope with stress in different ways. If a group is involved in a traumatic event, it is likely some will have a higher stress reaction than others, while some may not have any long term effects.

Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with PTSD) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:

• Destroying muscle and bone
• Slow down healing and normal cell regeneration
• Co-opt biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones
• Impair 
• digestion
• metabolism
• mental function
• interfere with healthy endocrine function
• weaken your immune system. (2)

The recent uptrend in anxiety and depression/ psychiatric prescriptions shows that Americans, in general, are not able to deal with their stress. Over the period of 2001 to 2010, as many as 1 in 4 Americans took drugs for these conditions.(1)

What are some healthy alternatives?

According to the US National Library of Medicine, essential oils can be a safe and effective way to improve stress and anxiety because of their direct impact on the Limbic system of the brain. (3)

Other factors we talk about frequently:

• Hydration—1/2 your body weight in ounces per day of the best quality water you can get.

• Balance Ph—optimal chemical message transmission happens in the optimal Ph range.

• Cleanse—support the elimination of wastes, not the retention of them. You’ll get the added bonus of better absorption of the food and supplements you take in.

• Build—Offer the highest quality nutrients to the body you possibly can. 

• Support—the immune and nervous systems with herbal, mineral, glandular, and sleep supporting supplements.

• Exercise—use the body you were given in whatever way is fun and sustainable for you.

• Find your ‘therapy’—what gives you creative and productive outlet: music, cooking, woodworking, hunting, fishing, arts and crafts, pets, farming/gardening, rock climbing, hiking, etc. Whatever it is, try to ensure it is a ‘lifetime’ activity, meaning you can enjoy doing it for decades to come.

1. https://www.anxiety.org/antianxiety-medication-use-soars-in-past-decade

2. https://www.womentowomen.com/hormonal-health/the-destructive-effect-of-high-cortisol-levels/

3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0032518/

Prescription Nation?

Everyone knows that heart disease is a serious problem in the United States. It is the #1

killer in our country, as well as the 3rd leading cause of disability. (1,2) The American Heart Association’s recent campaign for improving cardiovascular health by 2020 began by defining ‘ideal cardiovascular health’, or CVH. While these metrics (including smoking status, physical activity, diet, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose) do appear useful in predicting and improving statistics of disease events, it does little to consider long term health. (3) 

Two examples are it’s focus on a nutrient poor diet (the USDA food pyramid) and lowering cholesterol levels. Several studies show the benefits of nutrient dense diet and higher cholesterol levels. (4,5,6) Women in particular, seem to benefit from higher cholesterol levels. (4) Perhaps this is due to Cholesterol’s role in the body as the building block of hormones.

Recall from our discussion of the endocrine system that cholesterol is essential for creating good testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. As an aside, it is interesting to note that popular cholesterol drugs have now hit 214 MILLION prescriptions per month! (8) What’s even crazier is that as of July 2015 according to the US Census bureau, the population of the US is roughly 322 MILLION!

Those are scary statistics.  They support the above chart. (9)  Notice the US rank for "healthy lives".

Numerous studies point out that Oxidized Cholesterol may be the more accurate culprit in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lupus, and many other auto-immune diseases. (7)

So, what can we do to boost our ANTI-oxidants?  At the risk of sounding like a broken record...How about:

• Exercise that reduces stress and betters your surroundings.
• Better diet.  Whole food, unprocessed diet—closer to the producer
• Hydration.  Water, that is.  Soda and sweet tea don't count!
• Increase your anti-oxidant intake.  Try a low cost anti-oxidant supplement, like Ningxia Red—do your own ‘study’ and see how you feel after you use it as directed on the label.
  

NingXia Red’s essential oil blend is made up of orange, yuzu, lemon, and tangerine. Strategically chosen for their health-supporting benefits and flavor profiles, these oils are 93 percent d-limonene—a powerful antioxidant and marker for bioactivity and contain the flavone tangeritin. Together this blend adds premium, natural flavoring and helps maintain the body’s normal cellular function*.  Highlighting the supporting fruits found in NingXia Red is a patented grape seed extract that contains polyphenolic compounds that may help support a healthy cardiovascular system*. Additionally, blueberry, aronia, cherry, pomegranate, and plum juices introduce additional carotenoids and phytonutrients. These core building blocks supply your body with the resources it needs to maintain good health and overall wellness, allowing you to perform your best every day. NingXia Red is lightly sweetened by natural, calorie-free stevia extract.  NingXia Red replenishes key nutrients; delivers natural, low glycemic energy; and provides essential antioxidants
to combat free radicals. Enjoy 2–4 ounces daily for long lasting health and wellness.

Want to try something that does 3-out-of-4 of these?  (4-out-of-4 if you hydrate while you work!)  Plant some edible perennials.  Read a good book on permaculture to help get a concept of what, where, when, how, and why.  No space is without potential to plant something.  Even apartment dwellers can often make use of patio space in pots or tubs. Often these plantings will bless generations.  Consider:

• Asparagus
• Artichokes
• Blueberries
• Elderberries
• Raspberries
• Fruit or nut trees

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.





1. Defining and setting national goals for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction: the American Heart Association's strategic Impact Goal through 2020 and beyond.

Lloyd-Jones DM, Hong Y, Labarthe D, Mozaffarian D, Appel LJ, Van Horn L, Greenlund K, Daniels S, Nichol G, Tomaselli GF, Arnett DK, Fonarow GC, Ho PM, Lauer MS, Masoudi FA, Robertson RM, Roger V, Schwamm LH, Sorlie P, Yancy CW, Rosamond WD, American Heart Association Strategic Planning Task Force and Statistics Committee
Circulation. 2010 Feb 2; 121(4):586-613.

2. Brault M. Americans with disabilities: 2005, current population reports Washington, DC: US Census Bureau; 2008.

3. Ideal cardiovascular health: associations with biomarkers and subclinical disease and impact on incidence of cardiovascular disease in the Framingham Offspring Study.
Xanthakis V, Enserro DM, Murabito JM, Polak JF, Wollert KC, Januzzi JL, Wang TJ, Tofler G, Vasan RS
Circulation. 2014 Nov 4; 130(19):1676-83.

4. Is the use of cholesterol in mortality risk algorithms in clinical guidelines valid? Ten years prospective data from the Norwegian HUNT 2 study
Halfdan Petursson, Johann A Sigurdsson, Calle Bengtsson, Tom I L Nilsen, Linn Getz
J Eval Clin Pract. 2012 February; 18(1): 159–168. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2011.01767.x
PMCID:
PMC3303886

5. Age and gender differences in the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in the older population
José María Abad-Díez, Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga, Antonio Poncel-Falcó, Beatriz Poblador-Plou, José Manuel Calderón-Meza, Antoni Sicras-Mainar, Mercedes Clerencia-Sierra, Alexandra Prados-Torres
BMC Geriatr. 2014; 14: 75. Published online 2014 June 17. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-75
PMCID:
PMC4070347

6. High LDL cholesterol and statin use were independently associated with lower eight-year mortality in a cohort free from terminal illness, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes at baseline
Hans Thulesius
Scand J Prim Health Care. 2014 March; 32(1): 1–2. Published online 2014 March. doi: 10.3109/02813432.2014.869410
PMCID:
PMC4137895

7. Oxidized LDL: Diversity, Patterns of Recognition, and Pathophysiology
Irena Levitan, Suncica Volkov, Papasani V. Subbaiah
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2010 July 1; 13(1): 39–75. doi: 10.1089/ars.2009.2733
PMCID:
PMC2877120

8. http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2013/05/29/as-statins-soar-use-of-other-cholesterol-medicines-declines/#40a4c7a61186

9. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2014/jun/mirror-mirror

Healthy Blood, Healthy Body

The Cirulatory system is hugely important for overall health. It’s job is to carry needed nutrients to the tissues, and carry metabolic wastes out. The three main parts are:

• Heart—the pump
• Arteries and Veins—the pipes
• Blood—the liquid medium

The focus for this article will be the blood. Human blood is made up of plasma and other parts:

• Anti-body proteins—fight pathogens

•  Red blood cells(Erythrocytes)—carry oxygen and carbon dioxide
• White blood cells(Leukocytes)—fight micro-organisms and cancer cells

• Platelets—bone marrow cell products that clot blood

Blood makes up about 8% of an adult’s body weight. All of the metabolic processes we have discussed in previous articles hinge on effective transport by the bood:

• Nutrient dissemination from digestive tract 
• Hormone distribution from glands
• Tissue Ph
• Waste removal for detoxification
• and more

Obviously, without healthy blood it’s hard to be healthy. Some common disorders of the blood include:

            * Anemia
            * Lupus
            * Lymphoma
            * Leukemia

Instead of focusing on relieving the SYMPTOMS of these, lets look at some potential underlying CAUSES:

• Vitamin/Mineral Deficiencies from SAD diet (standard American diet) specifically B Vitamins because they enable iron use—which is critical for oxygen carrying capability in red blood cells. Again, you get what you pay for…if you currently take a vitamin synthesized in a lab (these are cheap) I challenge you to see how you feel after taking a whole food or naturally sourced vitamin (these aren’t cheap).

• PH imbalance

• Low HCL (stomach acid)/Enzymes (SAD diet and overuse of OTC antacids)

• Food Allergies or Sensitivities

• Any Toxin (Meds, Chemicals, Heavy Metals, Vaccinations, Viral, Bacterial, Fungal)

• Lymphatic, Spleen or Liver stress or weakness

• Oxidative Stress

• Lack Of Hydration (remember we’re mostly water—water quality matters!)

• Genetic predispositions

Want to take some steps to help your blood help you?

• Hydrate with the best water you can find. Drink ½ your body weight in ounces each day.

• Improve your diet. Get closer to your food supply. Take advantage of your farmer’s market, get in on a food co-op, or try www.localharvest.org. A healthier diet is not always more expensive—especially if you consider the current costs your health is incurring. Our family considers the Compensation Plan to be Young Living’s best product—because it allows us to afford a higher quality diet, supplements, and products to use in, on, and around our bodies. 

• Detox. Help your body flush that waste. Consider herbal supplements that aid in that process like Young Living’s ICP, Comfortone, Juvatone, or Digest+Cleanse.

• Supplement yourself. Going from a SAD diet to a glad diet is a process that takes time as well as effort. As you go, give yourself what you lack. Young Living’s Master Formula, Ningxia Red, and many others (such as Super B) are great supports for some of the above items.

• Get active. As we saw in the last article with the lymphatics, your body needs exercise and movement to maintain itself.

Speaking of active…It’s a lot easier to do when the weather is nice! A favorite hobby of mine

(Clint), that also happens to be productive exercise, is beekeeping. Like backyard chicken keeping, many municipal codes are becoming more accepting of bees in the city because of their value in food supply security. The agricultural and economic importance of honey bees in the wake of recent colony collapse research has led many cities to promote backyard beekeeping. Check this out if you're interested in starting to keep bees.

I spent an enjoyable and fulfilling afternoon yesterday installing our over-wintered nucleus hives into their new full size hives. Many beekeepers feed their bees in the fall to plus up the bees stores and increase the odds of making it through the winter. Corn syrup should be avoided in my opinion. We have had luck with raw organic sugar (although most sources will say only refined sugar should be used). Our bees have great taste—they like Young Living Essential Oils in their diet too!

Commercial honey bee supplements are not cheap—this DIY supplement is...and it’s a lot better for them!

•  5 cups water
• 2 ½ pounds of sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon Lecithin granules (Used as an emulsifier-works without)
• 15 drops Young Living Spearmint oil
• 15 drops Young Living Lemongrass oil

Bring the water to a boil and integrate the sugar until dissolved. Add lecithin and remove from heat. Once syrup is cool add essential oils and blend for a few minutes. This solution should have a strong scent and not be left open around bees. Cool before using.


To use: Add 1 TBS of essential oil mixture to 1 quart of 1:1 sugar water. Proper 1:1 sugar water is made by mixing 4 lbs. of sugar to 1/2 gallon of water.

This quart concentrate lasts a whole fall season for us.

Young Living Purification oil is a blend that soothes skin discomfort from the expected occasional sting.


Bee keeping is a great combination of carpentry, farming/gardening, and bug study. It’s a good feeling to lay in your own enzyme-rich raw honey and see your garden flourish.


As you can see from the picture, with the pear trees blossoming the bees prefer the real thing to our man made nectar.

One of my favorite reading places is in the shade next to the hive's entrance.  It gives good perspective for my own life to watch the colony diligently foraging, bringing in pollen, defending their hive, and going about life. 

What outdoor activities does Spring awaken for you?  What health goals for you or your family does this season stir in you?

Lymph Health...a Detox Key

Our bodies have two major fluid transport systems; the blood or cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system. Let’s talk now about the less well known of these two systems.

Your Lymphatic system plays a major role in detoxification of your body.  Remember the painful knots in your neck, armpit, or groin when you feel under the weather?  Those are your lymph nodes swelling as your immune system works overtime.  This system is made up of approximately 600-700 lymph nodes interconnected with lymph vessels that carry clear fluid called lymph. Unlike the blood, which flows in a constant loop, the lymph is supposed to flow in one direction: always up and towards the neck/heart. Lymphatic vessels connect to the subclavian veins, which are located on either side of the neck near the collarbones, and the fluid re-enters the circulatory system at this point.

The lymphatic system plays key roles in helping the body to maintain fluid balance. Key components of this system include the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and tonsils and adenoids.

The spleen is located on the left side of the body just above the left kidney. It is the largest lymphatic organ. 

• It controls the amount of red blood cells and blood storage in the body
• Helps to fight infection. 
• Removes old red blood cells and processes them for excretion.

The thymus is made up of a collection of lymph node type nodules located at the top of the breast bone.  The Thymus: 

• Produces hormones which support T cell development--playing a major role in the body’s white blood cell immune defense system.
• Collects and returns tissue fluid to the blood – maintains fluid balance.
• Filters and destroys bacteria, viruses and removes toxins 

The tonsils and adenoids are located in the back of the throat. Tonsils are large clusters of lymphatic cells found in the pharynx. They are one of the body's first line of defense aginst bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth or nose.

The lymph nodes act as filters along the lymphatic route towards the heart. They filter the lymph and also produce lymphocytes that attack and destroy invaders such as cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses. 

The lymph is a clear, watery fluid composed of interstitial fluid, proteins, and micro-organisms. Lymph is formed when plasma leaves the body's cells after it has delivered its nutrients and removed debris from inside the cell. Most of this fluid returns to the venous circulation. The remainder becomes lymph.

Some of the most common diseases of the lymphatic system are: 

• Lymphadenopathy-enlargement of the lymph nodes
• Lymphedema-swelling due to lymph node blockage 
• Anemia if the spleen is overactive
• Cancers involving the lymphatic system. 

So how do we keep this intricate system healthy?

The most important thing you can do is exercise and drink plenty of good clean water! Simple and cheap, yet so many of us don’t do this. A good brisk walk will help the lymph in your lower extremities be pushed up and towards your heart and filtered out.

The lymph system does not have a pump like the cardiovascular system, so it is dependent on your muscles moving to push the lymph around.

For individuals that exercise is not appropriate, lymphatic massage may help tremendously to help their body stay healthy. Adequate lymph flow is imperative to health.

Other ways to support this system would be to add in essential oils to massage along the lymphatic vessel path. Most lymph vessels follow the line of the bones. Using an oil that is known for supporting the immune system, gently massage towards the heart, to support lymph flow and boost the fighting power of the lymphocytes.

One of my favorite powerful lymphatic massages to do for my family when their systems are struggling is the Raindrop Technique. The spinal cord is the key messenger pathway for electrical communication through the body, and there are loads of lymph nodes located along the spinal column. Use this light touch feathering technique, layering 9 power house oils that are traditionally revered for their immune supporting abilities, and you will help a body’s immune defenses in unparalleled ways.

For a simple quick Raindrop follow this recipe to make “Raindrop in a bottle”.  Check out this site if you'd like to know why I only recommend Young Living Essential Oils.

25 drops of Valor

10 drops of Oregano
5 drops of Peppermint
5 drops of Basil
5 drops of Thyme
5 drops of Cypress
5 drops of Wintergreen
5 drops of Marjoram
5 drops of Aroma Siez

Apply along the instep of the feet and along the spine as needed to support wellness.

A favorite way to get the lymphatic fluid pumping is getting the garden ready to wake up from it's winter nap.  There are numerous "chores" that benefit mind and body with productive movement.

• Building cold frames
• Spreading and turning in compost
• Building new compost piles
• Expanding beds
• Applying organic amendments like
• bio-char or wood ashes from the stove
• bone meal
• rock powders
• manures that aren't 'hot'--rabbit, goat, cow or composted horse, chicken.
• Starting your plants in sunny windows

The kids and I planted the tomatoes we saved last summer just a few days ago.  Here is how to save seeds if you'd like to start making your own family heirloom.

What's your favorite lymph circulating outdoor activity?

Health is more than skin deep

You know the old saying, “Beauty is only skin deep”?   Well, did you know that the beauty of the skin comes from deep inside you? 

Your skin is actually an organ.  In fact, your skin is the single largest organ of your body. 

Your skin has many functions.  Obviously it protects your muscles and bones.  It is also an elimination organ, meaning it will help eliminate toxins when needed.  It helps to cool your body with its ability to sweat.  It also helps you stay warm by shunting blood from the vast capillary beds.

Healthy skin in our environment takes work.  Just look at the average American teenager.  Most teens don’t stand a chance without some serious diet, toxin elimination, and concentrated gut health work.

You see, the health of our skin, often reflects the health of other body systems.  When the liver is backed up with toxins, when the lining of the small intestine is damaged, when the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, or when the endocrine(hormone) system is off kilter, often these will be manifested in poor skin health.

The health of our skin is also a reflection of our diet.  Many times when people complain of dry skin, I’ll ask if they drink water or if they eat healthy fat.  Both of those things are imperative to soft, well hydrated skin.

So what do you do if you have skin that isn’t where you would like it to be?  

• First……examine your diet.  Do you drink half your body weight in ounces of pure water each day?  Do you consume adequate amounts of healthy fats, especially those high in omega’s?   

• Second, examine your gut health.  If you need to work on that, go read the last few blog posts, they will walk you through a quick tutorial on how to regain gut health and hook you up with where to get more information on gut health.

• Third, take inventory of the toxin load on your body from your environment.  Look at all the products you are using in, on, and around your body.  What improvements can you make?  Can you eliminate any of the toxin load?  Making small changes can all add up to a huge difference for your health.

Want a few ideas on toxin sources to get rid of?

• In your body:
• cooking with tools made of aluminum or teflon coatings
• bpa plastic containers
• oral care products
• highly processed foods and preservatives
• synthetically manufactured vitamins and OTC drugs
• poor water
• On your body:
• deodorants with aluminum hydroxides
• synthetic cosmetics
• perfumes (remember the skin absorbs things readily...if you don't intend to ingest something don't put it on your skin!)
• synthetic personal care products
• Around your body:
• synthetic air fresheners (inhalation is a very efficient way to get chemicals outside of you, into you.)
• synthetic cleaners and the fumes that accompany them (marketers have caught on that putting "natural" on the label sells products)
• environmental pollution

Young Living has solutions for all these challenges.

Cleaning products are a huge source of these toxins.  If you need scary reasons to de-tox your cleaning regimen, ‘check out this cleaning agent hall of shame’.

So, I thought I would share a toxin-free and cost saving DIY:

Thieves Foaming Hand Soap: Cost is about $2.00

Supplies:

• Empty Foaming Soap Container in working condition 

• Dr Bronner’s Unscented Liquid Castile Soap 

• Coconut or Vit E oil 

• Young Living Essential Oils of choice 

Depending on your container size, start with 10% soap, fill remainder with water(remember to leave room at the top for the foam making apparatus.

Then I add 2tbs of liquid soap, 8-10 drop of Thieves oil for my 8oz container. I usually don’t add the coconut or vit E, but that is just me. Shake well.

Oh and did I mention your scent combinations here are endless. Two of my favorite aside from Thieves are 

• Lemongrass/Lavender 
• Lemon/Spearmint. 

After your initial cost of the bottle, you can refill for less than $1 with ingredients you can pronounce!

Would you like to burn some calories and produce something for your community?  How about up-cycling to build a cold frame or hoop house?  Nothing beats cabin fever like planting.  It's probably good for your skin too...

It's amazing what can come together in one afternoon with cheap plastic sheeting, hoops from conduit or PVC pipe, and left-over lumber.  I put old wire around mine so the chickens can prepare the beds when it's time to re-plant.  Carrots and salad greens are only a few weeks away!

What are your favorite up-cycling and toxin busting activities?