Our First Anniversary, and a GIVEAWAY!

I just realized that yesterday was the first anniversary of this blog!   I can't believe it has been that long! I hope that you feel that the articles and information that I have started "building" on this blog are useful and that they have helped you in some way.   It seems like I have been blessed with extra opportunities to contribute even more information this year than I originally planned as I learned how to take care of all my own personal health crisis' naturally.  There was that shoulder thing, and then my knee went out, and then my tooth trauma, asthma attack.... well anyway... we learned alot this year, don't you think?

I can see by the numbers on my Stats page that people are reading my posts.   Lots of people actually, but the one thing my blog is missing, is YOU!  Please don't hesitate to share YOUR thoughts in the comment section of each post.   What truly will help to make this blog a successful community of like minded people is YOUR comments, advice, and experience relating to the topics I am writing about.   I know I am not the only person here with good ideas, so lets come together, take a minute, and start adding your knowledge to this growing database of good information!

To start this off, I am doing a GIVEAWAY!  

Every person who 

1.) Leaves a comment on THIS BLOG POST (not on facebook) with helpful ideas, friendly suggestions (NO URL's or advertising)  AND 

2.) Shares the FB link to this article on their wall (be sure to set privacy to public so I can see the share) 

will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE 

*Bottle of Lavendar Essential Oil from Ancient Legacy Oils, 

*A packet of Heirloom vegetable seeds, AND 

*a few other random Non- GMO health product samples and goodies from a fabulous company I have been learning about recently, Youngevity.  (These guys even have clean, NON GMO food storage that actually tastes good and will last 25 years on the shelf! ) I am very excited to have found the product line of over 400 products that meet such high clean food standards. 

(GIVEAWAY Valued at $30+)

Giveaway runs from January 31 through February 14th!  That's right, I'll announce the winner on Valentines Day!  So SHARE, SHARE, SHARE this with your friends!   Lets drive some traffic here!

  

To acknowledge the Elephant in the room, yes, I might occasionally receive commissions for many of the products I recommend here on the site, but I can guarantee you, I have not sold my soul for the sake a 2% here and 1 % there.   I ONLY recommend products I would use myself and feed to my children.   And lets be honest, it can be HARD to find good quality, clean food and supplements that are NON GMO.  So  as I have the need for me or my family, I am simply sharing that with you.

Going forward this year, you will find updates on the Bees, greenhouse gardening, and pictures of our new baby goats that are due anytime!  I Love Springtime!   I will also be sharing with you any health information I acquire, new recipes, prepping information, and MORE!

So let me hear your thoughts!   Any topic requests?  What types of posts would you like to see more of?  I would also be happy to research and post my opinion on any subjects that you have questions about.  Let's learn together this year, and have a great time doing it!

To your health!

~Shelley

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome - Natural Remedy

Frozen Shoulder is the lay mans term for what is medically termed  "Adhesive Capulitis."  Most Dr's will say that they do not know what causes it, and that there is no known "cure".

My experience with this "disorder" started when I woke up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain, unable to move my shoulder, arm, or even the slightest movements in my hand.   I had not had an "injury" so to speak with my arm, and had even been playing volleyball every week for the last several months.  So a week later when I finally went to the Dr. and received this diagnosis, I was not comforted to hear that a typical Frozen Shoulder lasts usually a minimum of 2 months and as long as 5 years.  I have known people personally that have had surgery for correcting this problem as well.  Whether or not that is a reliable fix, I am skeptical.

As I mentioned before, they don't know what causes it.   Honestly I think it is somewhat of a "copout" diagnoses that is given when everything else is ruled out.   No torn rotator cuff, no broken bones, etc.
I am not one who generally goes to a Dr. for advice, unless there is something beyond my ability to handle, and in this case it was the pain.  Once I got that under control, I was able to focus on fixing the arm myself.    When I DO go to a Dr., I use a Naturopathic Physician.

Through a weekly regimen of massage, stretching, and using Essential Oils, I was able to see a huge improvement within 2 weeks from starting the treatments.  Now 5 weeks later, I would say I am at about 98% of normal function in the arm.   There are still signs of weakness from literally not using it for several weeks, but the ability and range of motion are totally back.

Just a note, not all massage therapists are equal.   It is necessary to have a MT that is well trained, and knows how to perform deep tissue massage WITHOUT bruising your entire body.   Bruising, though sometimes a side effect, is not the best way to accomplish healing.   You will definitely feel it later, but it should not overshadow the original problem you went in for.    And a good MT will tell you to drink lots of water to flush toxins out of your body, as well as ice the areas that deep tissue massage was performed.  It is also important to listen to your body, and let your MT know if something is hurting more than is good, and if you think you need to stop.

Although my knowledge is really quite small about exactly how Essential Oils work and the science behind using them, I did look up some instructions on how to create blends for yourself, and I created a recipe that worked for me in helping with the inflammation and healing of my Frozen Shoulder.

It is important to ad the oils in the order they are listed:

Added in the following order:
1 oz. Fractionated Coconut oil (or fill a 10ml bottle 3/4 full with Fractionated Coconut oil)

Winter green - 3 drops
Peppermint - 2 drops

Basil -15 drops
Birch  -10 drops
Frankincense -8 drops
Lemongrass - 15 drops

White Fir - 12 drops

Lavender - 4 drops
Lemon - 4 drops

Now just to cover my @$&  I need to say that these statements have not be evaluated by the FDA and that this information is not intended to be used as medical advice as the author is not a physician.  This recipe has not been proven to treat, diagnose or cure any of the above mentioned ailments.  Blah blah blah, yadda yadda... :-)