Month: May 2016

Recipe of The Month: DIY Natural Cleaners

In the spirit of detoxification, we will look into your cleaning cupboards. Many of the widely used cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that not may harm you and the environment. Taking steps to eliminate these cleaners creates a healthier, happier home.

All Purpose Cleaner

Fill spray bottle and use to clean kitchen counters and ceramic surfaces. The lemon and vinegar cut through grease and mess.

Toilet Fizzies

  • 1c Baking Soda
  • 1/2c Citric Acid
  • 30 drops each of Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint Oils

Use a mask and gloves to mix the dry ingredients. Hand mix in essential oil blend until mixture holds together. Spoon onto parchment paper or into silicone mold to dry overnight. Store in air-tight container. Use as needed to freshen and clean your toilet.

Fruit and Vegetable Spray

  • 2c water
  • 1/2 c fresh lemon juice

Even organic produce may have residues from transit. This simple spray can help remove residue and food-grade waxes on your fruits and vegetables. Mix the water and lemon juice in spray bottle. Spray on fruits and vegetables. Allow to soak for 5 minutes. Rinse in fresh water to remove spray.

 

June Promotions at Heidi Ella Wellness and Massage

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With Summer around the corner many of us are starting to increase our time outdoors. Whether it is hiking and biking or gardening, new activities can spell low back pain. But don’t worry, the skilled therapists at Heidi Ella Wellness and Massage can help. For the month of June we are offering a Personalized Self Care Coaching for a Pain Free Back. Learn how to extend the benefits of your massage with effective, self-care practices customized to your particular needs. Your therapist will teach you simple approaches you can implement right away to help reduce pain and discomfort so you can enjoy all the activities summer has to offer.

During the month of June, you can enjoy this personalized self care coaching for FREE with your next massage! Book your 60 Minute Massage with Self Care Coaching online now.
If you already have an appointment scheduled, please call to request the special, otherwise the additional time cannot be guaranteed. You may also call to request an extension of time to a 90min or 2 hour massage. Not valid for use with gift certificates and may not be combined with any other specials.

To enhance your session, your therapist will use a custom blend of essential oils, Ancient Minerals magnesium gel and heat in order to soothe and restore sore, overworked muscles.

Interview with Nutritionist Elizabeth Owens

This month we are learning about Detoxifying the Body. I sat down with Elizabeth Owens to learn more about her upcoming Gentle Cleanse Workshop at The Wellness Center in Burke, VA.

Hi, Elizabeth. I would like to start by asking you to share a little bit about yourself and your personal philosophy towards nutrition:

Hi, Janet. Thank you for this opportunity to share with your readers a little bit about myself and my nutrition philosophy. I have been working in the health and wellness field for almost a decade, with experience in public health, workplace wellness, private practice, and higher education. I am passionate about nutrition, not just because I love eating, but because food has healing properties. The right foods can help prevent or manage illness, and I want to help each individual feel their best and find the root causes of their problems. I don’t promote a specific diet or counting calories. There is so much misinformation out there related to nutrition, and the solution is quite simple; we need to eat real foods and look at the quality.

Your workshop is called Gentle Cleanse Workshop. How does a gentle cleanse differ from a traditional cleanse?

Many people are familiar with juice cleanses where you eat very little, if anything at all, and drink juice all day. People may find these cleanses make them irritable, hungry, have low energy, and perhaps confined to the bathroom! My Gentle Cleanse workshop discusses the science of detoxification and the specific foods (yes, food!) you need to support your body’s innate ability to detox. A traditional cleanse might also call for several supplements which can be expensive! I call it “gentle” because it does not include any supplements, just food, and you can go about your daily activities without wondering where the nearest bathroom is!

What are the signs of needing a cleanse in your life? How will the attendees feel after finishing the gentle cleanse routine?

Our bodies detoxify chemicals on a daily basis, but often can get overburdened so taking time to focus on cleansing is important. If you have digestive issues, fatigue, joint pain, allergies, weight gain, then it is time to take a look at your nutrition. Everyone is coming in at different starting points, with different symptoms and eating behaviors so I cannot guarantee specific results. This Gentle Cleanse Workshop is designed to improve digestion, increase energy, and put you on the right path towards resolving other nutrition-related issues.

Thank you so much for your time, Elizabeth. If you would like to sign up for the workshop, please visit this page for The Wellness Center. The Gentle Cleanse Workshop is on May 21, 2016 from 1:30pm-3:00pm. The cost of attending is $20.00 per person.

Essential Oil of the Month: Lemon

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This month we will be spotlighting Lemon Essential Oil. This versatile oil can be used topically, diffused or taken internally. It’s detoxifying properties make it the perfect oil to support you through the cleansing month of May.

Lemon Oil

  1. Stimulates white blood cell production
  2. Detoxifies blood and liver
  3. Increases peristalsis (the movement of the colon to aid in elimination)
  4. Neutralizes free radicals
  5. Is anti-fungal and ant-viral

We are offering 10% off your purchase of Lemon Oil. Stop by The Wellness Center and Pick some up today!

New at The Wellness Center for May

Heidi Ella Wellness and Massage is part of The Wellness Center in Burke, VA. In addition to massage therapy offered, the center offers yoga, Pilates, acupuncture and workshops. This month there are two offerings of note.

Prenatal Yoga Series

We are pleased to now offer Prenatal Yoga at The Wellness Center this quarter!  In this 6 week series each class will be devoted to learning asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing) to prepare for childbirth. We will use gentle and restorative yoga and breathing exercises to strengthen body and mind in anticipation of labor.  Part Yoga, part childbirth education, this class will see you challenged in the second trimester and supported in through your third. Series 2 will run from May 17-June 21.  Sign up here.

Gentle Cleanse Workshop with Elizabeth Owens

You may have heard of detoxing and feared that you won’t get to eat food, have to sip on liquids all day, and be confined to your home! Well, that is not the case here. Join a gentle cleanse program to improve your energy and nourish your body!

Whether you have digestive issues, fatigue, joint pain, or even a few pounds you’d like to shed, this cleanse can start you on the right path to improve your symptoms and lighten the toxic burden our bodies face daily.

This 90 minute workshop includes a three day meal plan with handouts and recipes, an interactive food demo and sampling, and ample time for questions and answers. We will discuss what to include and avoid, and common detox misconceptions to promote safe and healthy cleansing. Come learn simple ways that work for you to improve your quality of life! Register here!

When: May 21st from 1:30-3:00pm
Cost: $20.00 per person

Detox 101

The process of detoxification does not have to be daunting or time consuming. In this post we will learn how to safely detoxify the body to improve your overall health and well being.

What is detoxification?

To begin, detoxification is the process of cleansing the body. You will work to cleanse the blood, lymph and skin systems within the body. This process should be gentle, as too much detoxification can release stored toxins too quickly and do more harm then good. It should also be a simple process that works to restore the body systems holistically. Quick fix diets and aggressive cleanses can deplete you and leave more building to do after the initial cleanse than is necessary.

When to Detox:

Many people find Spring as a good time to start a detox/cleanse. You may already be in cleaning mode preparing to shed Winter clutter and prepare for Summer. Why not extend that to your body, as well?

Detoxes can help to remedy:

  • Sluggishness
  • Poor circulation
  • Fatigue
  • Joint Pain
  • Allergic Responses
  • Bloating

Methods of Detoxification:

Diet:

  • Gentle Juice Cleanses- stick to 3 day juice cleanses that are made from organic, raw juices
  • Sugar Detox- removing simple carbohydrates (such as sugary treats, soda and other processed foods) and replacing them with complex carbohydrates, good fats and proteins can help the body process your food in more effective ways
  • Removing Additives and Artificial Ingredients- while many things in our food supply these days are “general regarded as safe” this is no way means they are the optimal option for one to consume
  • Whole Food Diet- less processed foods will be gentler on the digestive and elimination systems and keep you fuller longer
  • Drink More Water- this is an easy thing to add in. Rather than drinking large cups, try for 1/2 a cup every half hour. This will keep your body hydrated throughout the day.

Bath/Skin care:

  • Dry Brushing- used daily, dry brushing can help improve skin quality and circulation
  • Mineral Baths- adding mineral salts like himalayan and epsom salts to a bath can help pull toxins from the body and improve muscle function
  • Clay- kaolin and bentonite clays can be added to baths or used as masks to draw impurities out of the skin 
  • Switching to More Natural Products- many of the products you may be using each day contain harmful chemicals that are absorbed into the skin. Too find products that are healthier alternative please check out the Environmental Working Group’s database. 

Alternative Medicine:

  • Massage- manual therapies like Manual Lymph Drainage and stretching can help to flush toxins out of the body and encourage proper circulation
  • Acupuncture- your acupuncturist can help support detoxification through the use of needles and/or herbs
  • Yoga- the stretching and breathing techniques utilized in yoga can help to promote proper circulation and support and nourish the organs

It is helpful to start slow and keep in mind that the body may react less than favorable to a detox plan at first. This is completely normal as it gets accustom to a lessening of the toxic load. Give your plan at least a week (except for the juice cleanses, which should be limited to 3 days) before expecting results.