Essential Oils And Herbs For The Beginner

This definitely is the time to consider using herbs and essential oils for your health and wellness. So, I've created a short video and some notes to get you started on your way to taking charge of your wellbeing. Let me know what you think, or ask questions in the comments section. 

Stay well, 

Nina

   

Essential oils are the highly concentrated oils stored in the fruits, seeds, flowers, barks, stems, roots, leaves or other parts of a plant for different purposes. Essential oils stored in the root, leaf, or bark are used by the plant as a defense mechanism. Essential oils stored in the resin are used by the plant for healing. Essential oils stored in the flower or fruit are used by the plant to attract pollinators. Essential oils are used by plants for communication purposes. High quality organic essential oils also have a very high vibrational frequency when used in aromatherapy and other modalities.

So, when you’re ready to create an aromatherapy blend, here are a few things to consider. What aromas attract you? What is the purpose of the blend? How will the blend be used? Who will be using the blend? Are there any health issues to consider? Are there any medication interactions to consider? Are your essential oils therapeutic? After you’ve answered these questions to your satisfaction, consider the following information. Please note that there are no strict guidelines regarding essential oil blends ~ personal preference and inspiration are usually the determining factors. However, general standards should be considered for safety purposes, as well as better outcomes.

It is generally recommended that you use 2 – 5 essential oils per blend as follows:

Base Note EO = 1 drop/added first/evaporates last

Heart Note EO = 2 drops/added second/essence of blend after top fades

Top Note EO = 3 drops/added last/evaporates first

~ OR ~

Base Note = 20% (Frankincense, Myrrh, Spikenard)

Heart Note = 50% (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Tea Tree)

Top Note = 30% (Hyssop, Mint oils, Citrus oils)

Blends need to be added to carrier oils/diluted and allowed to sit for approximately 24 hours before using.

A few herb/essential oil families to consider:

Earthy/Woodsy

Citrus

Floral

Spicy

Sweet

Herb and/or Essential Oil Benefits:

Bilberry: cardiovascular health; antioxidant; eye health; and more.

Cinnamon: diabetes and hypercholesterolemia management; stress management; pain management; antimicrobial; antioxidant; heart health; and more.

Clove: antioxidant; antimicrobial; digestive system health; anti-carcinogenic; liver protection; stress management; pain management; and more.

Echinacea: immune system health; cell health; and more.

Elderberry: immune system health; antioxidant; cardiovascular health; digestive aid; and more.

Frankincense: immune health; antimicrobial; stress management; liver health; anti-inflammatory benefits; pain management; and more.

Garlic: liver health; prebiotic; immune system health; blood pressure management; cholesterol management; and more.

Ginger: digestive aid; anti-inflammatory; bone health; and more.

Lavender: antioxidant; nervous system health; antiseptic; and more.

Lemon: stress relief; immune system health; pH balance; respiratory health; and more. Lemongrass: central nervous system health; digestive system health; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; cholesterol management; and more.

Milk Thistle: liver health; brain health; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; and more.

Myrrh: immune health; pain management; digestive health; antimicrobial; antiviral; antiseptic; limbic system effects; purifying; and more.

Oregano: antibiotic; antioxidant; antifungal; antiparasitic; and more.

Peppermint: digestive aid; immune system health; pain management; and more. Rosemary: blood circulation; brain health; immune system health; pain relief; and more. Tea Tree: antimicrobial; antiviral; antiseptic; insect repellent; and more.

Thyme: antispasmodic; antirheumatic; disinfectant; immune system health; heart health; antibacterial; and more.

How To Adjust To This New Way Of Living ~ The Answer Is Hidden in Elul

Greetings ~ I'm back with more lifestyle musings. In my blogs, I muse about the things of life: spirit, soul and body ~ holistic living. Occasionally, I also share my thoughts and/or beliefs about the future from a Biblical perspective to encourage and inspire. So, if you are interested in beginning the new year with a fresh start, enjoy the video. I hope that you will be refreshed, renewed, rejuvenated, replenished, refocused, rewarded, reimagined and more in this new season. Please be sure to read the description box after you watch and/or listen to the video. 

The video was recorded on the second day of Elul. The spiritual significance of the month of Elul interests me because it reminds us to take time to reflect. It is a period of days established to prepare us for a new beginning. New beginnings are a blessing because we receive another opportunity to make the choices that allow us to manifest who we already are spiritually. As we are adjusting to our new ways of living, we want to be careful not to take our old patterns of thinking that have hindered our awareness with us into the future. So, we bravely and humbly go through the process of cleansing and washing knowing that there is healing on the other side that leads to growth. Awareness requires that we release past traumas and wounds that keep us stuck. It is a process of forgiveness that encompasses all of our being. It sets us free to be who we were purposed to be in our lives. It reminds us of the answer that we were created to be in this world. Awareness allows us to live our highest life with newfound peace and joy. 

Elul is also a time of blowing a trumpet (shofar) almost daily to consistently remind us to repent ~ turn back to the truth. Sometimes it helps to shout or create a sound that comes out of your innermost being. That sound that you release contains a frequency and vibration that causes your spirit, soul and body to come into alignment. Blowing a shofar also helps us to set the atmosphere for healing.   

So, how do you start the renewal cycle? You start by setting the intention to begin again. You start by taking every thought captive. Why are you thinking those thoughts? Where do those thoughts originate? What truth can you use as a sword to cast out those thoughts? As you tend to the garden of your mind, you will soon realize that your words change. Remember, your words have power ~ think true thoughts and your words will follow. Finally, your actions will follow whatever you are dominantly thinking and speaking. Now I know that this is a very simplistic approach to what many have as severe life challenges. You are in my prayers as you grapple with and seek relief from the vicissitudes of life. However, I do believe that what I offer here is a step in the right direction, even as you may choose to get more life support.    

Grace and mercy,

Nina Bazemore, DNM

Please note that I have included an Amazon link if you are interested in purchasing a shofar. As an Amazon affiliate/associate, I could receive a commission/fee if you use my link. Thank you.
 

At-Home Chair Pilates Chair Exercise For Ages 60+

Have you been living on earth 60 or more years? Has it been months or years since you last exercised? Are you looking for an at~home exercise routine that is gentle and chair friendly? Well, here is my gift to you ~ enjoy!

Chair Pilates For Seniors Silver&Fit Fitness Location Renew Active UnitedHealthcare Partner #athomewithme

Greetings! I sincerely want you to be empowered, inspired and motivated during this time of healing. I believe that wholeness is the true alignment of spirit, soul and body. That means that we must intentionally seek balance, homeostasis. As a holistic health practitioner, I specialize in the population that is living beyond the age of 60. I want you to grasp the importance of moving for health. The benefits of regular physical activity have been well documented. Movement is necessary for synovial fluid circulation, optimal blood circulation, cardiovascular health, immune system health, lymphatic drainage, stress relief, pain management/prevention, flexibility, increased range of motion, joint health, mental health, and so much more. So while you're at home during this time of physical distancing, I hope that you will exercise with me. This Chair Pilates class is slow-paced and gentle. It has been specifically designed for beginners, seniors, and anyone with limited mobility. 

To your holistic health!

Exercise Motivation

Greetings! As I am writing this post, we're about 50 days into 2019. That means that you're about 50 days into your 2019 health intentions! How's it going? Great, I hope😇. Well, maybe you haven't been as motivated and inspired as you were 50 days ago ~ it happens. So, you've come to the right place to get a healthy dose of motivation. Don't worry ~ I'll make it short and to the point. After all, you need to spend some time doing what you set out to do this year. Let's start with exercise

motivation in this blog. I get the sense that you've been having setbacks and other challenges regarding exercise consistency. So, we'll start with the basics.

The first thing you want to think and pray about are strategies to keep you encouraged, inspired and motivated to exercise even when you have absolutely no desire to move. We've all been down that road. So, how do you do what you don't want to do until it becomes a part of your lifestyle? I'm glad you asked! Write the vision, and read it often😇. Write and read your intention(s) for living a healthier more holistic lifestyle. By doing so, you continually remind yourself of the why. Why have you decided to live a healthier more holistic lifestyle? What are the benefits of exercise? Then, when you don't feel like moving in your body, your soul will encourage you, and your spirit will inspire you to keep going onward and upward.

The next step is to perform an assessment of your present lifestyle priorities to determine how to adopt the necessary changes for your success. That means a careful and deliberate evaluation of how you spend your time each day. Be careful, this process requires very specific details of your time spent engaged in your day-to-day activities. In other words, where are you spending your energy?    

Once the assessment is complete, a thorough review of your findings will allow you to clearly see how you've structured your present lifestyle. Once you know how your time and energy are being used, you are able to make decisions and changes regarding your new healthy lifestyle priorities.

Moving along, begin outlining your new schedule using strategies that will allow you to maximize your time and focus your energy. For example, where can you reduce the amount of time that you spend on an activity to allow for exercise? Have you considered meal preparation strategies to reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen? How much time can you shift from social media to a healthier activity? I think you get the point😇.

Lastly, it's implementation time. In other words, just do it ~ no excuses ~ you can do this. Believe you can and you will.
You are closer now than you were 50 days ago. Be motivated! Be encouraged! Be inspired!

Live your life to the fullest,

GrandmaNina

           

+PLUS CBD oil, KABAKI KENYAN Purple Tea, Beanfields Bean Chips Sample Preview

Greetings! Are you as excited as I am about the exponentially accelerated offers of products available for health conscious consumers? This is a good time to be alive, especially for my generation.😇 Of course, I still strongly promote getting as many nutrients as possible from organic fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. However, it sure is good to have plant-based supplements, superfoods, healthy snacks and beverages to fill in the nutritional gaps of modern life. So, where am I going with this blog post? I'm going to provide you with a preview of 3 free sample products I just recently received. Okay, I received them yesterday, and I opened the box last evening.😊 Therefore, it's a preview, as I have not tried the products, yet. Let's be patient - good things come to those who wait.😊 So, what I will do here is show you a picture of the product, as well as a summary of its labeling. That's my part in this exploration. Your part is to let me know in the comment section of this blog if you want me to post a follow up blog of my review of the products after I consume them. I think that sounds fair. I'll do the research; you'll let me know if you're interested in my findings. If I don't get any comments, I'll assume no one cares; and I won't bore you with the details. See, I am considerate of your time and interests. Well, enough of this, let's get into the preview.

KABAKI KENYAN PURPLE TEA:

The label on the 14 fluid ounce bottle says it's packed with antioxidants, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, and is grown in Kenya, East Africa. The list of ingredients include a proprietary blend of Kenyan purple tea, organic herbal tea, organic cane sugar, organic raspberry flavor and citric acid.  On the label, anthocyanins are described as compounds that are found in red and purple plants, particularly berries, and are known to have powerful antioxidant properties. The label includes the story of the company and founder. It says that 10% of the pre-tax profits are donated to Kijiji Medical, its nonprofit hospital in Navasha, Kenya.      

PLUS +CBDoil Gold Formula:

After putting on my "readers", I was able to see that the label on the bottle of 30 softgels lists the serving size as 1 softgel. The amount of hemp oil (aerial plant parts) per serving is 60mg. The CBD/Cannabidiol is 15mg. The other ingredients are: extra virgin olive oil, vegetarian softgel (vegetable cellulose, water), silica. In addition to the usual FDA disclosures, the label also states that the product is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. The box that contained my free samples, also, included a very detailed brochure about the company's products. I'll read it later. Perhaps, I'll read some of it while I'm recording this blog's YouTube video.

BEANFIELDS Bean Chips NACHO:

The 1.5 ounce bag of chips lists each serving as containing 4 grams of protein and fiber; bold flavor;
gluten free; and non GMO vegan. Some of the ingredients are: black beans, navy beans, brown rice, safflower or sunflower oil, seasoning blend, sugar, onion powder, yeast extract, dehydrated green and red bell pepper, paprika, natural flavors, grill flavor (from sunflower oil).

So, there you have it. A short preview of 3 products I've never tried. I look forward to sharing product previews and reviews with you in the future. I know that for me, reviews are helpful when I'm considering a new purchase. As I seek to be an excellent steward over my finances, informed decisions become more and more important in my quest to be a wise consumer. Reviews don't always sway me in one direction or another, but it sure helps to hear about others' experiences.

Video of Product Preview:

Thank you for reading my blogs! Please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. You are appreciated😇 

My email address is: ancientlyprogressive@gmail.com

 

It's Time For A Holistic Stretch

Have you ever felt rigid in your spirit? How about tightness in your soul? What about stiffness in your body preventing you from accomplishing physical tasks? Well, since I believe most readers of this blog responded with an affirmative answer, I'm going to share some insight about the benefits of holistic stretching. Holistic stretching pertains to the demands placed on our spirits, souls, and bodies to increase their capacity to attain more than thought possible. In other words, the more flexible you are, the more you achieve.

When I'm working with physical fitness clients, I stress the importance of stretching for increased range of motion, injury prevention, flexibility, as well as other health benefits. Wow, there really are benefits to stretching😇.  However, it begins with the spirit and soul. You see, the self-discipline necessary to stretch the physical body daily begins in the spirit and soul. That's where the thoughts and intentions are determined - the body just provides the vehicle for the energy of the unseen to manifest. So, the more you practice doing something, the more it becomes second nature to you. The more you practice ignoring self-limiting thoughts by stretching your mind beyond the illusion of what's possible, the more you'll believe in yourself to accomplish your goals. To God be the Glory!

Here are three keys to stretching holistically:

• Stir up your creative juices by spending time alone meditating and thinking, until you hear clearly in your spirit. If your mind wanders, remember flexibility requires time and consistent stretching. Also, note where your mind wanders, as there are clues in the "wanderings", as well. Be patient with yourself. Trust that God knows the plans He has for you. If you ask, He will answer and direct you. Whatever you hear Him say, do!

• Make up in your mind that you want all that God has for you. Set your intention to live out your purpose. Create a vision board. Write in your journal daily. Ignore thoughts that do not serve your purpose, by replacing them with thoughts that do. Be a blessing to others.            

• Commit to living a holistically healthy lifestyle by believing that it is possible to be and feel happy, energized and full of life. Stay with me, now - you've come this far😇.  I know that's really a stretch in your thinking for some of you - that's the point - stretch beyond what you think is possible. I know that realistically speaking some of you are dealing with financial challenges, health challenges, relationship issues, legal difficulties, family crises, spiritual warfare, and more. So, you're wondering if I'm really serious about this advice I'm sending your way. Yes, I am quite serious about this advice. I actually believe that these principles are crucial to your well-being. I've learned that it is possible to experience the vicissitudes of life and still stay your course. However, it requires a warrior spirit that fights to enforce the victory. In other words, I wholeheartedly believe that we can do all things through Christ. Amen!   

Please leave your questions and comments.

Until next time, S---T---R---E---T---C---H😊