My Health Journey

Have you ever thought of your life as a journey? I am pretty much an open book. What you see is what you get. So, I will just open up, and start sharing. This has certainly been an exciting journey for me. Life, that is. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and have lived all over the United States during my married adult life.

 I remember how thin I was growing up and how I desperately wanted to put on just a few pounds. Skinny was the term I remember. Being tall, another favorite teasing nickname by others was the Jolly Green Giant. Funny, unless you were on the receiving end.

Baking was a favorite pastime and since I didn't gain weight with anything I ate, chocolate cake became my favorite. And I did eat chocolate cake. Chocolate was probably one of my favorite foods. (still is if the truth be told) The weight gain did not catch up with me until after the birth of my third child. I just never lost all the weight. As a matter of fact, my slow creep up to the top started then. He is 23 now. I still joked about it being my baby fat. I didn't eat all the time, and I didn't even eat much at a serving. It was what I ate.

The carbs! I loved the carbs. I didn't want to love the carbs, but I did. I even would eat healthy most of the time, but there was always room for dessert. Dessert was always the priority. I just didn't understand the very simple truth of insulin resistance. At different times in my adult life, I lost the weight, and put it back on again. Health was very important to me, but I just could not shake the dessert thing. Pasta was also a weakness. Chicken Alfredo with Pasta. The other pull. I wouldn't even gorge on it. I could never even finish an entire meal. It was what I was eating.

Several months ago I discovered a very commen sense approach to eating. The Low Glycemic Index program helped me break the addiction to high glycemic carbs that I had been so accustomed to. I decided to live it! The program was very healthy. No fad dieting. Just learning how to eat healthy, and follow a low glycemic plan. I no longer crave the pastas, and desserts. Ice cream every once in a while is a treat. However, now instead of eating a huge bowel, I am able to eat a serving. A great side effect of eating healthy has been a 30 pound weight loss. I exercise, and make sure I am using a well rounded plan of supplementation to fill in the gaps!

I use essential oils and supplements packed with essential oils now! Lovin my life! What about you? Have you made any changes lately?

The Essential Nurse LOVES Green Smoothies!



As I have been changing more and more of my food choices, one new food habit of mine has been Green Smoothies. I know. It sounds really gross. That's what I thought at first as well. Facebook is an excellent place to be exposed to new things. You know how it goes. You accept a friend on facebook. When your friends join new groups it shows up on your newsfeed. So, me being the curious one, saw a link for green smoothies. Weird. I tend to have weird ideas (at least my friends seem to think so). As I investigated this concept, I joined a few groups and found a few recipes.
My first and subsequent green smoothies have included such ingredients as spinach, bananas, strawberries, kale, collards, kiwi, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries, alkaline water, ice, almond butter, almond milk, coconut milk, apples, and pears. Just to name a few things. I didn't use all those ingredients in the same smoothie. Do you want to know the funny thing? No matter how much green stuff I put into it, the taste is always the fruit.

Neon green, or "shrek" green is what it looks like. I have been making one or two per day. What have been the effects? I feel so much better. One can't help but feel better when eating from God's bounty.
Do a Google search on the harmful effects of genetically modified foods. This alone should make you want to get away from processed, non organic, genetically modified foods. Our cells are living. Why do we as a nation continue to put dead processed foods into our living bodies, and expect healthy results? I saw a quote today "According to the U.S. Surgeon General of the 2.2 million deaths in America each year, 1.8 million are diet related". So, as a nurse, I feel an obligation to share health. I want to serve God in a healthy, vibrant body. When one finds truth, you either ignore it, or you share it. I am choosing to live it, and share it. You shall know The Truth; and The Truth Shall set you free.-John 8:32

Confessions from a Sugar Addict

I have a story to share today about being a sugar addict! Truth is always better than fiction when getting a point across in my opinion. It's because one can relate to the human struggles, and hopefully learn from the mistakes made. My story starts with CELEBRATION! Kelly (my 27 year old daughter), just finished nursing school. Yep! She finally decided to follow in mom's footsteps. After several years working on an accounting degree, she decided she would rather be a nurse than an accountant. So my daughter, (who at 7 years also almost passed out at the shopping mall during a health fair when she saw someone have their finger pricked for a blood sugar test, and many other similar adventures during her life) was accepted into nursing school, and graduated a few weeks ago. I couldn't be more proud. Since I still work as a nurse every weekend, the celebration was going to be tricky. We decided upon a party at the local Texas Steakhouse because they had a large banquet room. Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM was just perfect.

I didn't have to prepare at my house, and I could still enjoy the function and be at work at 6:45 that evening. Well, I needed to order the cake. Not just any cake. I decided only the best for my daughter. I went to Anne's Donut Shop. Not Walmart, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, or Sam's Club. Only Anne's Donut's cake was suited for such a fine celebration. I entered Anne's Donut Shop, with only the highest resolve. In, Out. Nothing to it. I ordered her cake, with special nurse decorations to mark the theme of this wonderful celebration. Looking around I spotted the thing. The pumpkin spice roll slices. Oh boy. I hadn't eaten anything like that in a long time. Just a taste. One slice would be OK. Then, there was the double doozie chocolate chip cookie with the thick white cream in-between the cookies. Then, my very favorite. The long john with the chocolate on top, and the white cream in the middle. OK. So I justifed this. Just go ahead and purchase them, and nibble on them for a few days. Make them last. So I succumbed to the temptation.

On the drive home, I decided to open the bag, and take just a bite from the pumpkin roll slice. Once bite led to another, and another, and another. Whoops! All of a sudden I realized, the entire slice was gone. I was overdue for lunch, so going to Anne's Donuts while hungry was my first mistake. Another thing. Instead of stopping by Anne's, I should have just called. So, I fix a quick lunch at the house. And opened the bag. Just a bite of the double doozie cookie. And another bite, and another bite…until it was gone. Then the long john… until it was gone. What happened next I pray will never happen again. For those of you who may not know, I teach low glycemic healthy living classes. I am a health and wellness nurse. I promote eating healthy and balanced. Good carbs, healthy carbs, balanced with healthy proteins and healthy fats. I take pharmaceutical grade supplements. I make healthy shakes and smoothies. I have lost 35 pounds in the past year. I feel better now than I did in my 20's. My goal is to be a health and wellness nuse fulltime. AND I JUST ATE 3 OF THE WORST FOODS A PERSON COULD POSSIBLE EAT! The guilt overwhelmed me at first.

Then something very unexpected happened. (unexpected, because I am not a diabetic) My vision became blurry. I developed a very bad headache. I felt flushed. My husband came home from work, and he was ready to head to church for mid-week Bible Study. I told him I had developed a headache and wouldn't be going to church that night. I didn't tell him why. Shame prevented me from telling him what had just taken place. (I had hidden all evidence) As he pulled out of the driveway, a little fear struck me, as I didn't know if he and my son would come home later that night and find me in a sugar-high coma. My vision remained blurry for 6 hours. The headache lasted about as long. The next day, I felt bad. Tired, sluggish, and toxic. I didn't go into a sugar high coma. The event was so eye opening for me. My body wasn't used to all those bad carbs. What was frightening, however, was my body didn't quickly snap back from the sugar load. Normally, when you eat too many bad carbs, your body rushes with a load of insulin and even though the blood sugar spikes, it returns quickly to normal before plunging to a low sugar, and you start the cycle again.(the low glycemic lifestyle prevents the highs and low cycle) I didn't have a blood glucose machine at my home, but the symptoms were so severe, I knew my blood sugar rose quicky, but stayed there a long time. I was so thankful my body eventually felt normal again.

Moral of the story. Don't binge. Learn from me. Don't repeat what I did. Plan ahead. Like I have said before. If bad carbs have been a problem for you in your life, take it seriously. Like an alcoholic, the urge can be overwhelming once you start. Call the bakery and order that cake. Let someone else pick up the cake. Eat a healthy meal/snack before you go out. Do not keep tempting foods in your house. If you feel the urge to have a cookie, or dessert, plan it carefully. Have a healthy meal, and share the dessert with a friend or your spouse. Most important, love yourself. It isn't an all or nothing event. The next day, I was back on track. I didn't beat myself up. I didn't try and "hide" what I had done. This story was shared with my family, friends, and low glycemic class members. I share it with you, not because I am proud of what I did. I am sharing my human-ness. I am sharing my victories and struggles, so you will relate. So if it happens to you, you will pick yourself up, and hold your head high, and continue with a renewed resolve. If you have already experienced something similar, you can forgive yourself and move on. Life is too short to beat yourself up. We are all on this journey called life.

Hi… My name is Joyce. I was a sugar addict…

My Carb Addiction: Cinnabon and Godiva Chocolates

 

 

 

My journey with carbohydrate addiction has been eased with the cleanse I have been on. I no longer have the physical addiction to bad carbohydrates. The mental addiction can be present even if the physical draw to bad carbohydrates has been conquered. For example, I was in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend. I always make a trip to Easton Mall. Easton is an experience and a blog all in itself. When I travel, there are certain places I ALWAYS visit, just because these stores are not available where I live. I ALWAYS have to get a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon, and I ALWAYS have to get chocolate from the Godiva Chocolate store. It is just something I do. For no particular reason, other than it tastes good, and I can't purchase these items on a regular basis where I live. And, it is habit. A mental thing.

 

So, after lunch at Max & Irma's, I spot the Cinnabon place. For once, I was not drawn to go there. Not even a little bit. I was estatic and overjoyed. Cinnabon did not have a hold on me. Whew! Leaving the Easton Mall, we walked past Godiva Chocolates. For a brief moment, I wanted to go in. I wasn't craving, but it was out of habit. My son said, "mom, you really don't want that". He was right. I really didn't want it. So, my brief thought to enter, was out of habit, and I passed it by. Being able to forgo a trip to Cinnabon AND Godiva Chocolates was paramount for me.

This is HUGE! After my big mess up with Anne's donut's just a few weeks prior, I felt this was a monumental moment for me! I know it can be done! Victory! Each day for me is a choice. Each day and in each situation I choose my behavior. Carbohydrate addiction – today you had no power over me. Take away thought: Start each day with a clean slate. Carefully think about the choices you make all during the day. Is the choice you are making bringing your toward your goal of your Best Self?

I allow myself to enjoy Cinnabon on occasion! It's my favorite dessert. I now practice moderation and not gluttony! 

Utilize Whole Person Wellness for the New Year!

For many, a new year is synonymous with new beginnings. This New Year can mean a fresh start, or a do-over. Many people write resolutions for the new year, to only find several weeks down the road either changes have not been made, follow through didn’t happen, or you can’t even find the paper you made your list on.

May I suggest viewing these changes as a marathon and not a sprint? As caregivers, either of others or of ourselves, we tend to want everything microwave quick. We desire instant change. If we do not see instant change, often we forget about the project, or feel it is too overwhelming of a goal. I am going to give an overview of twelve areas of change. These areas are from the Wellness Inventory Assessment. Keep in mind these areas overlap and even subtle changes in one area can impact the others.

Another area to consider is to ask yourself if you are really ready for change. Some people only think about changing, while others are ready for action. This makes a big difference in your success of changing behaviors. If you are only thinking about change, what steps can you take to be ready for action? The other areas to consider is are you ready to learn, or are you holding on tightly to your views that you feel protective when ideas other than your own are suggested? You need to open up and be in a learning mode to wholeheartedly embrace change.
We are going to take a brief overview of twelve areas for balance. As you view these areas, you may want to highlight the areas where you feel you are most motivated for change. Leaks in any of these areas can bring energy drain.

1.Self responsibility and love: Do you take responsibility for your health and life? How do you feel about yourself? Do you love yourself? Do you love yourself just as you are? This area is the very foundation for the balance you want to achieve.

2.Breathing: Do you take time to be aware of your breathing? Do you take time to be present with where you are? This area is often the most overlooked. I know it was in my life. This area helps with the fight or flight response that is so overworked these days. Breathing can help relieve tension.

3.Sensing: Are you aware of your surroundings? How can you increase the awareness of what is around you? Try going for a walk and allowing your senses to take over. Be mindful of what you hear, what you see, and what you smell on that walk. This is an area that can really add richness to your life.

4.Eating: Surround yourself with wholesome, nourishing foods. If you have an active lifestyle, be sure to plan ahead and have healthy choices in place.

5.Moving: Moving doesn’t have to be boring or hard to do. If you don’t move now, can you turn on some good music and just dance? Try some fun exercise DVD’s, or get out for a walk.

6.Feeling: Anger, fear, sadness, joy, guilt…How do you exhibit these emotions and feelings?

7.Thinking: Do you employ negative thinking? Your thought patterns, do you allow your thoughts to be your reality? These areas, the feeling and thinking can literally bring you down and affect the other areas negatively. OR, the way you learn to think and feel can bring revolution to your life.

8.Playing & Working: Finding balance between work and play can be a challenge. If you are totally burned out in your work, maybe it’s time to be honest and look for a change of scenery. I know having more play time this year is a top priority for me.

9.Communicating: The way we think and the way we feel can form the communication that is transmitted to others. How is our self-talk? How are we perceived by others? How do we perceive others? Do you say yes, when you really mean no? Do you really listen to the other person?

10.Intimacy: Is this an area that needs to improve? Are you comfortable with this subject? Do you think how you feel about yourself can impact this area? How about how you feel about the other person? Does unresolved conflict hinder this area?

11.Finding Meaning: This is a deep one, but one often overlooked. Is there something you really want to be doing, and know you should be doing, but you ignore this?

12.Transcending: This is where deeper meaning and Spirituality take part. I personally am a Christian and this area for me entails my relationship with God. The Oneness I have with him. The prayer, meditation, and devotional time. This may mean something a little different to others. For me this area is the whole of the rest of the wheel and I can see the impact of this area in all others. This area may take on a different meaning for others. But for all, this is the area of knowing the whole of who we are.

Setting goals and implementing the plan is the next step. This step is another area where people can set themselves up for failure. Often the goals are right, but there are no steps put in place to get there. Steps can be made that are too big. Smaller steps toward the same goal are more easily obtained and followed through on than large steps.

You may find there are goals you want to set in every area. That is fine. Just don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to make all the changes in all categories at once. Some areas will overlap. For instance, you may start working toward steps in the eating and moving categories, but then spend the first month really concentrating on self responsibility and love, or breathing.

Finding someone to be accountable to can assist in ensuring success in the changes you want to make. Having a coach is a relatively new concept. To be honest, I had never heard of coaching until a few years ago. I employed a life coach, and it changed my life. I am now a wellness coach, and I have found when I listen to my clients, they really already know the answers for them. It is just a matter of helping them be able to articulate what they are looking for, and realize where it is they want to go and what is priority for them. Another thing I do as a coach is to assist my clients in prioritizing what is important to them.

When I first took a Wellness Inventory Assessment, I thought my priority was to finish releasing 30 pounds of fat I so wanting to rid myself of. When I took the assessment, what I realized was I needed to play more and breathe more. This ended up being priority for me, and until these areas were addressed, I really didn’t have myself in line to be able to concentrate on releasing that weight. Honestly, when I was able to get my priorities straight, I was able to love myself just as I was. As a result of that, my self-responsibility and love balanced out, and I am now able to move more, eat better, and start releasing that fat.

Entering a new year can be exciting and full of new beginnings. Take time to find out where your priorities really are, map out where you want to go, and take small measureable goals to get there.

Nurses as Holistic Nurturers

I love the word nurture. Possibly it stirs up the mothering, womanly, and caring instincts in me. Nurses are nurturers. As a nurse, I will apply the word to how we care for our selves, our family, and patients, and finances. How do you currently care for your patients? Are you task oriented? Are you a nurturer? Do you set your intentions to be a nurturer, but find yourselves tasking due to patient load, acuity, or just “so much to do”?

A few years ago I was enrolled in an online university and I was taking some nursing classes. My “ah ha” moment came with the very first class. I had been a nurse about 17 years at this point. A realization hit me. I had been practicing nursing as a medical model. Don’t get me wrong. We as nurses need to be skilled in the science of patient care. How else would we pick up on those subtle changes and responses to the medical treatment we administer? Something was missing. The missing element was the reason I went into nursing to begin with. I wanted to help people. Florence Nightingale was my hero. She was the caring, nurturing, and healing individual that aspired me when I was 14 years old. I remember sitting in one of the commons areas at my local high school prior to class as a freshman. My “calling” was a knowing. I knew I wanted to be a nurse. It was my destiny. Think back. When was that time in your life that you “knew”? I found a new model.

You know, what is old, becomes new again? It does not only apply to fashion. Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN- BC, FAAN. Have you heard of her? Do a little research if you have not. She is the founder of Watson Caring Science Institute. Her website is @www.watsoncaringscience.org. She currently has a worldwide project called the Million Nurse Caring Field Project. She has monthly meditation videos. The university I was attending had “adopted” Dr Watson’s caring model as the basis for their nursing education. I was in love with nursing again. Dr. Watson developed her model and has 10 Caritas (caring concepts). I would love for nurses everywhere to read, incorporate, and practice within their sphere of influence Dr. Watson’s caring concepts.

Are you a nurturer? Do you nurture yourself as well? Nurture your self as in taking time for the the mind/spirit connection. Nurture your health as in health of self and teaching others about health/wellness. I recently had an awesome experience as I attended a yoga retreat led by a nurse. We had green smoothie fasting all weekend, and I was really allowed and encouraged to nurture myself. It was an experience that changed my life and as a result I knew nurses needed to be exposed to learning how to make conscious decisions toward their self-care.

I use several things on a day to day basis including better choices in nutrition and I also implement essential oils for stress and grounding. What do you do to nurture yourself? I am learning yoga now and paying much more attention to my breathing. This process of the breathing is so important, and I learned this concept during 2 wellness coaching programs I invested in. To have an entire weekend where I could really practice my breathing and relaxation techniques was of more value than anything I had experienced in a long time.

The takeaway, is that I want nurses to realize how important self-nurturing is. What I am developing as a result of my nursing experiences over the past 25 years whether those experiences have been positive or negative. How many times have you gone an entire shift and not gone to the bathroom? How many shifts have you worked and not taken in any water? How many shifts have you not eaten anything? How many times have you gone home and have been so stressed out you couldn’t relax and sleep? It is now time to step away from the edge and invest in you!

Sleeping Better with Night Shift Blues!

Are you one of the 6,000,000 Americans that work on the night shift? I was! My routine was EVERY Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 6:45 PM to 7:15 AM. Recently, I added a contract nursing job on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night from 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM. That contract nursing job was only temporary, and believe it or not, I actually felt better in the few weeks I worked it.

This brings me to this subject. How do you work night shift and maintain health? I have now researched many articles, and studies on the subject of working night shift. From these readings I have developed a list of 8 things I  faithfully did while I was on on this schedule to maintain and improve my health.

1) Set a goal to sleep 8 hours everyday. In the past, it has been easy for me to sleep only 4.5 or 5 hours, get up to the bathroom, and then be wide awake; only to find it is time to go back to work and I have not slept enough. One habit I am formed which transformed my life in this area. I had darkened my bedroom more than it was previously darkened. There were little cracks of light seeping through the windows, and I corrected that issue. It is now VERY dark in my room.

2) There were several articles that discussed wearing very dark sunglasses as you leave the place of employment and on the trip home. There has been research to show that once your subject your eyes to the bright morning light, this does something to you body that says “wake up”. So, this is on my to do list, and I will be purchasing this item TODAY!

3) Eat low glycemic. I already do this. HOWEVER, I was very excited to see this was suggested in several articles. One new piece of information was to have the heavy meal in the evening prior to going on the shift. Do not eat a heavy meal in the middle of the night. Do not eat a heavy breakfast. So, take small low glycemic snacks and eat every three hours. I always have a nutritional shake or bar with me during the night so that I can eat or snack quickly and ensure I am getting good nutrition. (I also lost 35 pounds eating this way). Research has shown that due to several endocrine factors, and increased insulin resistance for night workers, it is very important to learn these concepts. Look for future teleconference and classes on this subject.

4) Small balanced breakfast before going to bed. Do not go to bed hungry. AND make sure you eat a meal that is balanced. Don’t just eat fruit. Also, do not eat a heavy meal. This will lay heavy on your stomach, and really make you quite uncomfortable. My favorite is to make a healthy smoothie, making sure I get healthy protein, carbohydrate and fats. A good complex carb with a high fiber content will not overwhelm your stomach, but take a while to digest, and allow you to sleep without having that “knawing” sensation in your belly.
5) Take the phone off the hook, or place the phone out of your room. DO NOT feel like you have to be available to the phone just because someone calls. You may be concerned with missing emergency calls. Work out another system. With a TRUE emergency, someone will come and knock on your window, or bedroom door.

6) White noise. I have also read many papers on background noise. I sleep with a “spa” type machine that plays a “rain” type sound. A bedside air filter will do the same thing. This not only drowns out any noise that is going on in the house and neighborhood, but it relaxes my mind. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone working night shift.

7) Mild to moderate exercise, before you go to work. At the end of the shift, it can get you pumping, and ready to be awake instead of getting ready for sleep.

8) Another point on nutrition. Find a good pharmaceutical grade multivitamin and antioxidant. Even if you eat EVERYTHING raw, and natural, I totally believe the body needs something to fill in all nutritional gaps. There are too many external factors today that comes against our bodies causing free radicals. I have heard people say from time to time they don’t take vitamins because they don’t want expensive pee. Honestly, the body knows what it has need of on a day to day basis. What I may not need one day, I may need the next. How do you really know?

9) I used essential oils as well. Peppermint is an awesome pick me up, and lavender is a great oil to help relax. I also used plenty of anti-virus type oils to help guard me from those nasty germs. Rest and great self-care is your key to staying healthy, even when you work night shift!

My Dream to Create a Genshai Nursing Culture

More and more attention is being brought to the forefront about nurse bullying. This can be peer to peer, doctor to nurse, or patient/family to nurse bullying. Bullying is actually a problem in the nursing world. Many nurses suffer in silence and this can contribute to poor nursing satisfaction scores or poor nursing retention.

The movie, Law of Attraction, discusses bringing attention to what you want and not what you don’t want. Instead of talking about stopping nursing bullying, I’m going to discuss Genshai. Have you ever heard of the word? I hadn’t until this past Christmas when I received a book from a friend titled Aspire. This is a book by Kevin Hall. Kevin has extraordinary insight into words and his book is filled with words that will motivate and change your life.

Genshai is one of those words. Genshai is an ancient word which means you never treat anyone in a manner that would make them feel small, including yourself. I realize this is an idealistic viewpoint that won’t be accepted by all nurses. Some nurses like how it makes them feel to think they are superior and some nurses are just cranky and hate themselves and their job so their discontent is projected onto others.

The movement to start a Genshai culture among nurses will be slow to start. However, like a snowball, this movement in time, will pick up speed and size. Let the culture start with you. Take this idea to your hospital. Buy the book, Aspire. Allow the words to transform how to treat yourself and how you treat others.

My favorite nurse theorist is Dr. Jean Watson. She is the founder of the Watson Caring Science Institute. Dr. Watson developed the Human Caring Theory with 10 Caritas. She also has a Caritas Process to develop helping trusting caring relationships. Take time to explore her website and understand this empowering movement.

My unproven theory on this concept is that if one or two nurses in each hospital could really embrace the Genshai and Caring concepts and introduce them into their facility; then we could in time change the current culture from the bullying environment to one of mutual respect and caring. I’m not naive to believe every nurse is going to embrace these concepts, especially the bully nurses. However, my theory is if enough staff, management, and administration embraced the Genshai and Caring concepts, the bullies would have to get on board and experience an internal change, or their behavior would be so obvious and their behavior would no longer be allowed by management.

I realize management can be part of the problem. With some individuals, even the smallest amount of power brings forth some need to make others feel small. The Genshai concept really addresses these power hungry individuals. There is a difference between requiring employees to do things by the book vs. bullying staff and making them feel small. There are consequences for breaking rules or policies. The consequences can be handed down without emotional bullying attached to it. I remember a manager one time that sent out the most degrading emails to all staff. When addressing a situation as simple as keeping the break rooms clean, there was such a degrading bullying tone as she berated us for a messy break room. Truly, the subject could have been addressed without the degrading tone. She was so over the top with her bully tactics that she was eventually terminated.

What I have outlined is a simple strategy to focus on what we want. We as nurses want an environment where we can pass report on to the next shift nurse without seeing eyes rolled at us because there was something in the continuum of work we weren’t able to get to. We would like to be able to share our pain or concern without fear that a nurse blogger is going to come after us in a social media attack mode.

Like Martin Luther King, I can say “I have a dream”. I have a dream that one day nurses will have a mentally and emotionally safe environment by which to give caring compassionate care. I have a dream that nurses will treat nurses in a way that would not make another person feel small including themselves. The first place to start is with YOU! Don’t treat yourself small. Don’t allow another person to make you feel small. Join me in the movement to start a Genshai environment in the workplace. Be a Nurse On The Edge!

Aspiring to be OLLIN!

The Best Gift

Have you ever received a gift that changed your life? I did! At Christmas time a very close friend of mine sent me a book. It’s titled “Aspire”, by Kevin Hall. Kevin found very unusual but powerful words and did an in-depth chapter on each one. This book was accompanied by a letter from my friend. She said it was a book to be savored not devoured. She also told me that one of the words really reminded her of me. It was “my” word. The word is “ollin”. It’s pronounced “all in”. The meaning of the word is as it is pronounced.

Security vs. Trust

Giving “it” your all. Whatever that means for you. For me, I had found myself without the security of a “job” for the first time in my adult life. I do remember several times when the kids were growing up; my job was being home and nurturing them. I chose to cut back my nursing to part time, or even took 2 years off once while I homeschooled. Mike always had income to care for the needs and my income at that time was for extras. This is not the case this time. Mike has been unemployed for the past several months to work on a home health coding certification and my income was enough to provide for the needs.

The Ollin Heart

According to Kevin Hall, the word ollin is an Aztec word. It represents holding nothing back. It represents giving it everything you have. Jumping into your situation wholly and without holding anything back! This has been a most exciting journey for me. I decided the very day I received the phone call from my employer in November 2011 letting us as contract nurses know our contract was being terminated that this was my call to make some changes. I decided that day to be “ollin”, even though I didn’t even know the word then. I had the heart of “ollin”.

This “ollin” road can be a lonely place because not very many people dare travel this road. It’s not secure, it doesn’t feel safe, and there is no map to show you the way. I would like to challenge quite the contrary is true. The road to “ollin” is probably the most secure place you can find yourself in. I remember how many times I felt secure in my job, almost like as long as I had my job God was a bystander in my life. He was on the sidelines, cheering me on as I rode out my life. The road I am not on allows GOD to be more than a bystander. HE is my source. He has always been my source, but somehow we often don’t see it that way when things are going well.

Peace vs. Fear

I was honored as my friend saw the attribute in me that I was “ollin”. I have such a peace. I am not walking around in fear wondering where my food will come from. Does this mean I will refuse a job that comes my way? No. What I am not doing is scurrying around, putting in applications all over, and worrying about the future. I am moving forward writing, holding classes, and connecting to people in my business. What I AM is open to what GOD has in store for me. This may mean a part time or another education job in addition to what He is doing in my business, or He may have plans as all this comes together in my passion to change lives through my business alone. I am “ollin” as God is no longer a bystander but my pilot in whom I have complete trust and peace!

What areas of your lives do you need to be “ollin” right now? If you have chosen to be “ollin”, can you describe the peace that surrounded this decision? How did this look for you as you “let go” of what you had always felt to be security? Do you need to make the decision to be “

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a Christian wellness coach who empowers self-acceptance, balanced, and purposeful living. Joyce is passionate about essential oils and implements in all areas of her life. She utilizes Kaizen (small steps) principles from a 12 dimension wellness program to promote permanent change. Joyce is married with 3 adult children, and 5 grandchildren. You can connect with me at theessentialnurse@gmail.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/essentialnurse 

Is Your Self-Talk Measuring Up?

When was the last time you walked past someone and they were talking to themselves? It’s a strange sight for sure. This is exactly what I am going to suggest you do! According to the Word, “death and life are in the power of the tongue”, Proverbs 18:21. A new buzz word is affirmation. I want to talk about affirming yourself.

What does it mean to affirm? Encarta World Dictionary puts it this way: – declare something to be true: to declare positively that something is true – declare support for something: to declare support or admiration for somebody or something – confirm something: to confirm something as binding or valid How do those definitions make you feel?

To affirm is to strengthen a positive truth. Is your self-talk affirming, or does it tear you down, put you down? We all have self-talk. My self-talk had been mostly negative through the years. Not early on. If you watch most children, they are in love with the world and in love with self. They have no inhibitions in communicating how they feel about self. When did this stop? When did the negative self-talk start? Was it the first time someone made fun of you?

I used to think everyone else except me had it together. A few weeks ago I saw an interview with Penelope Cruz. She was very uncomfortable talking about herself, because she didn’t see herself on the inside as the beautiful woman that we all see on the outside. I thought “wow, if Penelope Cruz doesn’t have an inner confidence, who does”? Having real confidence doesn’t puff up the ego. To me, it is just a state of “being”. This is a state where negative talk has no negative effect, and compliments don’t puff up the ego. It is just a state of appreciation of truth.

I have a favorite scripture from the Psalms I learned as a child: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well”(Psalm 139:14). So, really, if God, our creator, wrote that we are wonderfully made, shouldn’t we think that of our-selves? OK, so if you have negative self-talk, you need to change that. How does one change that? Replace the negative words with positive words. Write on a big piece of paper, and put on your mirror “I am wonderful”, I am worth”, I am loved”. It feels strange at first. Continue the habit, and slowly the negative words are replaced with the positive.

I have affirmation cards. They are pretty, and they are true. How can I help other people if I don’t care for myself? That’s easy! I can’t! I carry these cards with me, and I am replacing negative with the positive. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! What about you?

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a Christian holistic nurse who provides natural solutions to common health problems. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, herbal simples, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Joyce is a wife, mother, nana, author, holistic healer, and above all committed to her relationship with God. You can find Joyce at theessentialnurse@gmail.com  

Or conncect with me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/essentialnurse

How Do You Handle Stomach Discomforts?

Do you ever listen to TV commercials when prescription medications are being advertised and the speaker lists all the possible side effects? Seems sometimes those side effects listed just goes on and on and on and even lists things like death and possible suicide ideations as side effects?

My friend Carla and I were on the phone a few days ago. She is also a nurse and we were discussing proton pump inhibitor drugs. These are drugs for stomach acid reflux. Carla informed me of something I did not know. All PPI drugs are now labeled with a warning. The warning is related to higher rates of a type of diarrhea called c. difficile infection. This is a type of diarrhea that can create serious intestinal issues and is not easily gotten rid of.

Acid reflux and gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are very similar. This occurs when the acidic enzyme juice of the stomach is able to slip past the valve located at the very top of the stomach and enter the esophagus which is alkaline. You feel a burning sensation. This can occur if you lie down too quickly after a meal, weight gain, overeating, having a hiatal hernia, from some types of medications, and some foods also contribute to this.

I am a nurse, so I am not telling you to avoid your physician with this condition. My disclaimer is that I do not diagnose, treat, and give medical advice or cure. However, I personally choose to try a more natural solution before seeking medical attention and asking for a prescription. I’m currently 54 years old and I am not on any OTC or prescription medications. I’m blessed and I know I’m rare.

We were discussing risks versus benefits of the PPI drugs. Personally, I don’t like the idea of having the overgrowth of c.difficile consume my intestines. I‘ve been a nurse a long time, and I know from dealing with patients in the hospital what that smells like and the complications that occur. It requires, of course, more medical intervention by way of prescriptions drugs. Do you ever notice that drugs are prescribed to help with the side effects of other drugs, and it starts this vicious cycle of polypharmacy?

I have in my library of natural health books, many suggestions to help with acid reflux. I personally use essential oils with many symptoms. There is an essential oil blend I use called Digestzen. You can put a drop or two in a gel capsule along with a drop of ginger, wild orange and peppermint. I have actually just added a drop to water and stirred it really well and just drank it. Sometimes I use just peppermint. Sometimes peppermint helps and some people say it makes their reflux worse. It works for me though!

I also keep papaya tablets in stock for myself which helps with digestion. Mike and I use something called Stomach Comfort which also helps. I have a wonderful library of symptoms cards which tell exactly what herbs/essential oils are good for that particular symptom.

Ezekiel 47:12 “And by the river upon its bank, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for food, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall its fruit be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to its months, because the waters flowed out of the sanctuary: and its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for medicine.” My belief that God created medicine for us through nature is mentioned in this verse. Plants, herbs, essential oils, fruits and veggies were all created for our health and healing.

You can also avoid or limit these foods or items: alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, chocolate, garlic, onions, citrus, tomato, spicy, fatty foods, or tobacco. My idea is to promote awareness and empowerment. When you are educated you have choices. When you are not educated and empowered with all possibilities you are at the mercy of the knowledge or belief base of your practitioner to make your health care decisions. Ultimately, we are in charge of our own health.
Again, I am not promoting that you avoid your physician and his/her recommendations. I am promoting that you educate yourself

You can contact me to discuss any of the essential oils or herbals I mentioned in this article. You can email me at theessentialnurse@gmail.com or find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/essentialnurse   for more information. I personally use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils from doTERRA. You can obtain these oils as a wholesale consumer and save $$$.

 Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a Christian holistic nurse who provides natural solutions to common health problems. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, herbal simples, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Healthy Benefits of a Few Popular Essential Oils

If you could only purchase a few essential oils at a time, do you know what oils to start with, or even the benefits of a few popular oils?

We will be learning about several basic oils in this article. Keep in mind a little goes a long way. Essential oils are 50-75 times more concentrated than the plant, bark, or flower it from which they originate.

Health Promoting Essential Oils

Lemon:

Lemon oil has several properties. Lemon oil is best known for its antiviral, antiseptic, uplifting, and anti-depressant properties. Lemon seeds came to America from Christopher Columbus.

Lemon oil is also historically used for muscle aches and pains, lowering blood pressure, and as an air purifier. I love to use lemon oil in non toxic unscented cleaners to disinfect and clean around the house. This oil is really great to smell when I want a pick-me-up. You can use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Oil (CPTG) and put a drop or two stirred up in water for a refreshing drink.

Peppermint:

This oil is one of my favorites! I also love to add a drop to my water for a completely refreshing drink! One drop is equal to 28 cups peppermint tea! Whew! Peppermint is great for pain and inflammation. It’s very uplifting and great as an anti-bacterial agent.

This can be used directly on the bottoms of the feet to help with fever. This oil also helps a stomach upset when a drop is added to water. Don’t use in children under six internally, and use in caution with high blood pressure, pregnancy, or breastfeeding women. This oil can be diffused to help with fatigue, and it will help open up the mind during study, especially when learning new things! I love to rub this oil on the back of my neck, and temples for headaches.

Lavender:

I have heard for years that this is the “Swiss army knife “of essential oils. It is good for so many things. This is a must have especially if you have children in the home. This oil is good for pain. There are so many properties of this oil including but not limited to antibacterial, antifungal, regenerative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-infectious. This is good to use on cuts, burns, emotional balance, insomnia, boils, allergies, insect bites, bee stings, headaches, stress, wounds, and so much more.

This is the one oil I suggest highly if you are deciding what oils to start with. I used this oil one time to help me really relax with a difficult dental procedure. I didn’t realize things weren’t going well. Five hours after the procedure started, I was sent to an oral surgeon. I really didn’t know I had been there so long.

Melaleuca:

This oil is great for pain, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, tissue healing, and antiseptic purposes as well as so many more. This is great oil during the flu and cold season, and can be used on the bottoms of the feet as well as diffusing. This oil can be used in other ways.

I am just giving very basic information here. I teach very in-depth essential oils classes. I can only begin to skim the surface when talking about oils in this forum. There are many other uses for each and every oil I have mentioned here, and I have only mentioned four oils. I have over 20 books on the uses of essential oils and ways to use them.

I hope this will give you an overview of just a few of the thousands of uses for oils and that I have given you enough information to want to explore further!

What are some of your favorite essential oils?

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a holistic nurse who provides natural solutions for health and home. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils,herbal simples, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Joyce is a wife, mother, nana, author, holistic healer, and above all committed to her relationship with God. You can find Joyce at theessentialnurse@gmail.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/essentialnurse

Naturals Solutions For Your Healthy Kids

As a mom, do you wonder how you can implement more natural solutions for common childhood concerns? Essential oils can be utilized in a safe, effective manner for your children. There are a few safety issues, and I’ll discuss them in this article, as well as give some simple ideas on how you can start

There are so many health benefits of essential oils. There are also therapeutic benefits to essential oils. But how can you use essential oils to tackle common childhood issues? Learning to use essential oils with children is a very simple but effective way of handling common challenges in the young. The oils are non-invasive and usually a pleasant experience for them.

Topical Applications

When applying oils topically, it is often times best to dilute the oils in a good carrier oil like a pure fractionated coconut oil. The younger the child, say for instance an infant, it’s best to use 1-2 drops in two tablespoons of carrier oil. You can use less carrier oil for children as they get older. Common places of application are the feet, back, stomach, chest, and behind the ears.

Safety Precautions

A few safety precautions with children are to be mentioned. Keep all oils out of the reach of children. It’s always best to be on the side of caution with children. If a child accidentally ingests essential oils, have the child drink something like milk and call the poison control center. The oils are not typically going to cause an issue. However, they are so concentrated, most children will probably spit out the few drops because it won’t be pleasant. Your citrus oils are also photosensitive as well as a few others so you wouldn’t want to place directly on the skin and then go out into the sun. I have a great guide called Modern Essentials that every mom should invest in.

10 Common Childhood Issues and the Recommended Essential Oils

Let’s discuss 10 common issues and what oils are generally recommended.
1.) Colic: I love Roman Chamomile with a little lavender applied to the feet, stomach and back. Be sure to dilute in a carrier oil. It only takes a drop of each.

2.) Diaper Rash: Lavender is a wonderful oil to use. Be sure again to dilute. Use 1 to 2 drops.

3.) Earache: Tea Tree oil (melaleuca) is great for earache. You can dilute lavender, chamomile and melaleuca in the fractionated coconut oil and dab behind the ear. Don’t put directly into the ear canal. You can place it all around the ear though. You can also place diluted oregano on the bottoms of the feet to help with the bacterial part of the earache. I am not taking the place of your physician or giving medical advice. So, always consult your health care provider when a child’s condition doesn’t improve. You can apply this as often as needed.

4.) Fever: Diluting lavender and peppermint oil and applying to the bottoms of the feet, neck, and back is a nice way to help bring down a fever. You can apply as often as needed.

5.) Cuts: Lavender is great for rashes, cuts, and sunburn. Again, dilute.

6.) Bedtime: My favorite standby is lavender. When two of my grandchildren were born, I made a lot of rubs and lotions with lavender oil. It’s best to apply lavender lotion after a bath.

7.) Cradle Cap: A drop of lemon a
nd geranium oil diluted can be rubbed into the scalp.

8.) Coughing: I use a combination of oils diluted on my grandson’s chest which helps with his coughing. He loves it! Right away I can tell his breathing is better and his coughing improves. I use a blend that has oils such as ravensara, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus. I don’t usually use eucalyptus by itself. There are some divided schools of though on this oil by itself and children. Some caution not to use it as in some asthatic children it may make them worse.

9.) Flu/Cold Season: I am always diffusing oil blends that have anti-viral properties like lemon, clove, cinnamon, and tea tree. Prevention is easier to deal with than after they already get sick.

10.) Chicken Pox: When your child gets chicken pox, those breakout areas can be so uncomfortable. Try adding a few drops of lavender and chamomile oil to Calamine lotion before applying.

These are just a few tips for using essential oils on your children. Some information was obtained from Modern Essentials. The others were from my own experience. Do you use essential oils in your home? Not only are they safe and natural, but per use, you can recognize a cost savings. I use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils, and you can purchase your essential oils wholesale like I do and save 25% and more on your your needs. http://www.mydoterra.com/joyceharrell

How do you use essential oils to help with common childhood illnesses?

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a holistic nurse who provides natural solutions for health and home. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, herbal simples, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Joyce is a wife, mother, nana, author, holistic healer, and above all committed to her relationship with God. You can find Joyce at theessentialnurse@gmail.com  or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/essentialnurse

Disclaimer: I do not diagnosis, treat, or prescribe t?herapy. I encourage you to follow up with your health care provider with any health concerns. I use some natural solutions and share my experiences and also information from my research and reading.

Your Clean Home, Your Healthy Home!

My aunt died when she was 18 months of age due to ingesting a toxic cleaning product my grandmother was using. To prevent something like this in your home, either keep the cleaner locked up or try some greener solutions.

Remember, cleaners may leave a residue that can get in the body through the skin, which you may want to consider with children or pets in the house.
Have you ever been clearning your bathroom and become overwhelmed by the fumes as you used some cleaning products? I have. There have been times when I prepared for the fumes by opening windows, turning on the fan, wearing heavy-duty gloves and even a donning a mask. Ladies, let’s see what other cleaning options we have.

The solution? Commercially prepared non-toxic cleaners products are usually more expensive than their regular counterparts. So the solution is to make them yourself! I’m going to start your wheels in motion by giving you some recipes!

Green Cleaning Product Recipes

Here are homemade antibacterial cleaning products with essential oils:

Diaper Pail Deodorizer

Use a cup of baking soda. Add 1 teaspoon of your favorite essential oil and mix well. Sprinkle in the bottom of the pail before you place your liner. Change out periodically.

Mold and Mildew

Make a spray with equal parts white vinegar and water. Add drops of your favorite essential oil to leave a fresh smell!

Bathroom Air Freshener

Use a one pound box of baking soda and add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Place under or near your toilet. Refresh as needed with more essential oil drops. Change out every three months and use the old baking soda in other cleaning solutions.

Silver Cleaner

Super cheap idea: Use a non-gel toothpaste to clean (don’t add essential oils).

Wood Furniture Polish

3/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 20 drops lemon essential oil.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups hot water, 1 tsp. washing soda, 1/4 cup liquid soap, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil, and mix in a spray bottle.

Window Cleaner

1/8 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 10 drops lemon essential oil. Place in spray bottle.

Laundry Detergent

You can make your own laundry detergent very inexpensively. The internet is full of ideas for making your own green cleaning products. Many do not call for essential oils. I like to add essential oils for the clean smell and because I like the antibacterial disinfecting properties

Experiment! See how you can make your home a safer place to be, help the environment by not throwing away all the empty cleaner containers, and shave dollars off your budget!

For information about all the hazards of some cleaning products, check out How Toxic Are Your Household Cleaning Supplies?

What are some of your favorite cleaning products?
 

I use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils from doTERRA. http://www.mydoterra.com/joyceharrell  Contact me to see how to become a wholesale customer and save 25% on these oils with every purchase!




 Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a holistic nurse who provides natural solutions for health and home. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, enzyme therapy, vision boards, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.
You can connect with me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/essentialnurse or email me at theessentialnurse@gmail.com 

10 Tips to Naturally Survive Flu/Cold Season

Just how to you prepare yourself for the flu/cold season? Do you get a flu shot? I am a natural health sort of person, and take natural/healthy measure to guard myself during this time As a health care provider, I am required to obtain a flu shot. Follow up with your health care provider for more information. So what can you do to prepare for the flu/cold season? Actually these principles can be used year round. I have provided 10 ideas/tips that I use for myself.

1. Good hand washing! There is NO substitution for good hand washing. I don’t use antibacterial soaps. Just soap, water, and good hand washing techniques. Lather up and wash with good friction for 15-20 seconds. Your hands has normal flora to protect the skin. Repeated antibacterial products strip your skin of this natural protector. Just make sure you are washing for at least 15 seconds. This is longer than you think!

2. Don’t fight it. Many times becoming sick is the body’s way of saying it has had enough. So, instead of loading myself down with every OTC on the market to hide the symptoms, I have decided to allow my body to rest and recover. I do use essential oils and silver solutions though. (all natural)

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Keep your body hydrated. I don’t buy sugary fruit juices. Water, and herbal teas work for me. I love to drink herbal teas that support the immune system and those that have special properties to support whatever my body has need of.

4. Rest, relax, rest, relax. This can be tricky is you are the caregiver of small children. This may be the time to call on family and friends for some help. Rest is needed for the body to restore.

5. Stay away from heavy foods. I allow my body some fasting time.I take good supplements including antioxidants to help my body’s natural immune system. Fresh fruits and lite food. Nothing greasy or fried. Some people like to eat foods with hot spices, garlic or horseradish can help with congestion.

6. I use essential oils with immune support properties both for inhaling, and applying as directed to areas like my chest if I have a head and chest cold. Aromatherapy is a great natural resource if you use therapeutic grade oils. Invest in a quality book on essential oils to learn about this ancient natural therapy. I have a recipe blend for “flu shot in a bottle”, and I use this frequently and start it with the onset of any cold/flu type illness. I also have oils I use specifically to help improve my breathing!

7. Set your TV channel to the spa station. They are always playing soothing relaxing music, and for me I like not watching intense movies at this time.
8. Do not cough or sneeze into the air. Keep a supply of tissues and then you are reducing the spread. These type of viruses are so contagious.

9. I love a Neti Pot. If you don’t know what this is, just do a Google search. You can find these at any drug store and even Walmart. This is a nasal irrigation device. Use saline packets that can be purchased for the pot Follow the directions!. Also, if you have swollen nasal passages, you can use a drop or 2 of a certified pure therapeutic eucalyptus. This helps reduce nasal passages. Caution: Do not use tap water, and make sure you keep the unit really clean.

10. Eat as many raw foods as possible. These are packed with so many nutrients! I love green smoothies during times like this. So packed full of nutrition! Also, you can make really health vegetable broth by getting a large pot and placing lot’s of healthy veggies like celery, onion, carrots, garlic, greens, and whatever you want to add!

I don’t give these tips as medical advice or suggest that you don’t consult your physician. There are times medical intervention is necessary. Many times we just need to rest. Nature’s store abounds with things to support us during times when we need to heal. I’m signing off now. Time to make some tea!