by GSkinner | Nov 19, 2018 | Holistic Healing, Massage, Supplements
P A I N 
It hurts! It can be incapacitating. We become irritable. We can’t sleep. It stops us from doing things we want to do.
How can we manage pain? Where does it come from?
Inflammation is caused by many things. Foods, such as sugar, nightshade vegetables and toxins can cause inflammation. Injuries, tight muscles, sitting for too long, lack of circulation and many other disfunctions can occur to cause pain. It is important to learn your body by paying attention to what may cause problems. You will then be able to take more control of managing your pain without medications.
Pain that is caused by muscular degeneration or muscle strain can be addressed topically as well as internally. Topically, I use Carpagel with amazing results. Quelling pain with natural products is beneficial in more ways than one because herbs contain natural substances that do not harm the body and in fact, will help the body to actually heal. Buy Carpagel here. Use promo code: GRACESK10 for you get 10% off the prices on web site.
Internally, I use boswellia/curcumin/ginger combination for anti-inflammatory purposes. These powerful herbs cleanse and restore the body and fight inflammation very, very well with no side effects.
Wild crafted and certified organic, Inflamedix is a proprietary blend of botanical extracts formulated for a healthy response to acute and chronic inflammation without the unwanted side effects of commonly prescribed medications.
Buy it here ~ www.Nutragen.com
When checking out and asked for your Provider’s name, it will be Grace Skinner.
Thank you for putting your trust in me.
by GSkinner | Nov 19, 2018 | Healthy Eating
What is “Healthy Eating” to you?
I define healthy eating as nutritional foods that actually cleanse, nourish and heal the body. Most grocery store items are heavily processed with chemicals, artificial ingredients, food coloring, preservatives, and now, genetically modified ingredients. While many will tell you that these substances are “fine”, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Your body does not understand how to process foreign substances such as chemical preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavorings, genetically modified organisms and any kind of artificial sweeteners. It just wasn’t designed to assimilate those things and they become a slow poison, affecting your memory, your muscular strength and your organ function.
Americans are among the sickest people in the world with our very processed diets. Can we keep ourselves healthier by changing what we eat? 
YES is the resounding answer! Fruits are actually a cleanser to the body and is so much better than processed sugar. Fresh fruit detoxifies. When you read about the many ways to “detox”, this is the first place to start. Removing processed foods and replacing them with fresh foods IS a detox. You will have more energy eating “clean” foods. You will actually start to lose excess weight. Your skin will be clearer and smoother. Rashes will disappear. You will become more “regular” as you start eliminating waste from the “broom” effect of the fibrous fruits and vegetables. Your body will thank you.
Vegetables are actually a “builder” to the body, as well as a detoxifier. So you see, fresh foods do double duty, just as herbs do. Real food has multiple benefits in the healing process as well as the building and maintenance of the human being. Just as animals were designed to consume certain foods, so were you.
Need more information on how to shop for fresh foods? Leave a comment or fill out the questionnaire.
Recipe ~ Lemon Orzo Soup ~ Quick Version ~
Ingredients :
1 Tbsp Olive Oil 12 oz chicken thighs, cooked, shredded
8 oz uncooked orzo pasta 1 each, lemon,zested and juiced
1/2 cup onion, chopped 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
2 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 cups kale, trimmed, torn into bite sized pieces
2 quarts chicken broth 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Preparation ~
- Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add orzo pasta and onion; cook 5-6 minutes, stirring until pasta is toasted.
- Add garlice; cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Bring to a boil; cover and cook 10 minutes or until pasta is done. Skim and discard foam from surface. Top with crumbled feta when served. ~ Yield : 6 servings
by GSkinner | Nov 15, 2018 | Skin Care
As a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer, I have the pleasure of working with many older people. I learn so much from them.
One of my clients, who is 88 years old, has beautiful, radiant skin. When I complimented her, she said “Really?! This old thing?” We laughed and again, I told her how she glowed. “Well, honey, I do my own facials. You just …”
Milk of Magnesia ~ Olive Oil ~ Witch Hazel
“Rub milk of magnesia on your face and wait until it dries. Then remove milk of magnesia with more milk of magnesia. Rub olive oil on your face and leave it for a few minutes. Then get a cotton ball and use witch hazel to rub it all off.”
Simple, inexpensive ways women “in the old days” kept their skin clear and beautiful.
I haven’t tried this, but I will!!
by GSkinner | Nov 7, 2018 | Holistic Healing, Massage, Supplements
6 Ways Inflammation Can Affect Your Body
Chronic inflammation is your body’s natural response to prolonged stress that primarily comes from your diet, lifestyle or other environmental factors. Caused by diet, stress, viruses or bacteria, autoimmune disorders, inflammation can come from various sources and lead to further symptoms that can worsen, or become fatal, overtime.
A little inflammation, however, can be a good thing. It’s a sign of your body’s natural defense mechanism kicking in and fighting off bacteria or viruses. But like all “good things,” with excess comes problems.
Left to its own devices and unchecked over time, inflammation can grow to be a bigger issue than you may have had initially in the first place to trigger it. Diseases and chronic pain brought on by inflammation can seemingly sneak up on you overnight if left ignored. The trick is to address inflammation daily, with diet and lifestyle changes, before it causes further damage to your body. There are many signs, some more easily recognized than others, that inflammation could be affecting your body.
Here are six BIG ways inflammation can negatively impact you:
1. It ages and affects your skin.
Many people know that inflammation is bad for the body, but they completely ignore the potential effects it can have on your skin. Dr. Perricone, who is referred to as the “Father of the Inflammation Theory” and built his skincare company around his studies, maintains that inflammation is the number one aggressor in and outside the body, causing faster aging and other various skin issues. “Every disease I studied had a common theme: Whether it was cancer or aging, inflammation was present.” – Dr. Perricone
Many skincare brands were built on this very concept: Treat inflammation, and you can effectively treat your skin. Signs of inflammation in the skin are as variant as its effects inside the body. Symptoms can include but aren’t limited to, acne issues, redness or discomfort, and advanced aging. When treated over time with adjustments in diet, supplements and overall wellness, the slowing of inflammation can also slow the aging of your skin. While they can be effective topically, skin care products address the signs of inflammation more so than the root cause, so it’s important to find a long term solution as well.
2. It can be fatal to your heart. ~ Chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, celiac disease and poor diet can severely increase inflammation linked to heart disease. Although it is not proven that inflammation causes cardiovascular disease, inflammation is common for heart disease and stroke patients and is thought to be a sign or atherogenic response.”
Chronic inflammation contributes to heart muscle wasting, which weakens you and can lead to congestive heart failure.
3. It’s bad for your gut. ~ The majority of inflammatory diseases start in the gut with an autoimmune reaction which progresses into systemic inflammation. “The immune cells can attack the digestive tract itself, an autoimmune condition known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.” Symptoms can include diarrhea, cramps, ulcers, and may even require surgical removal of the intestines. Doctors haven’t concluded why some people get IBD, but genetics, environment, antibiotics, diet, and stress management all play a role.
4. It can make weight loss even more difficult. ~ Inflammation in the body can slow down your metabolism and increase your hunger, making you consume more and burn less. This is the exact opposite of what any person trying to maintain a healthy weight would want. Weight loss is difficult enough as it is, and growing inflammation only makes matters worse. If you’re having a difficult time losing weight and think you may be experiencing signs of inflammation, you should address it right away starting with your diet and supplements.
5. It’s linked to your mental health. ~ You probably already know that depression and anxiety are huge problems among American adults, and around the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 13 globally suffers from anxiety. What you probably don’t know is that depression can be caused or worsened by inflammation. “Increased inflammation not only occurs in depression but also in multiple other psychiatric diseases including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia.”Mental health awareness is increasing, but we are far from connecting all of the dots. Addressing inflammation is something we can do, right now, that could have a small or large effect on our mental, as well as our physical, health.
6. It can negatively impact your sleep. ~ Inflammation is not something that can be avoided, even during your sleep. It can affect your restful nights in a few ways, primarily with a loss of overall sleep quality. People who are already suffering from sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or insomnia, are prone to increased or unbalanced inflammation. Likewise, those experiencing chronic inflammation or disease related to inflammation are often challenged with lower sleep quality as well.
Being aware of these six signs is a big step forward in your journey towards a healthier, inflammation-balanced life; and as a wise woman once said “Once you know better, you do better” (Maya Angelou).
Incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle into your daily routine is extremely beneficial for your overall health, and aids in disease prevention. You can do this by consuming foods like wild salmon, blueberries and leafy greens (watercress is particularly high in anti-inflammatory properties) which are like gold for your gut, and the rest of your body. You can also incorporate a supplement regimen including Omegas which will combat inflammation internally while aiding in your dietary efforts. It’s best to find an Omega product that is organic and has added anti-inflammatory ingredients like Organic Turmeric Root Extract and Astaxanthin. ~ by Dr. Bruce Howe
There are ample resources here and throughout the web to help you plan your diet and supplement regimen. Feel free to ask any questions.
For today, just remember this: Small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results, and when you balance your inflammation, you balance your body and your life.
Yours In Good Health!
by GSkinner | Nov 7, 2018 | Essential Oils, Holistic Healing, Massage, Supplements
There are many tools to combat the effects of inflammation on the body, and even more to help you balance your body’s response to it, which is really the key.
It’s all about balance.
Here are three areas of focus to help you support your body’s response to inflammation:
EXTERNAL ~ Sometimes the most noticeable form of inflammation is on the surface level of the body. Inflammation can affect the skin in the form of redness, swelling, soreness, acne, etc.. Initially, your body may be responding to a substance it doesn’t like by causing acute inflammation while it tries to rid itself of that substance. For example, when you expose your skin to murky conditions (think a hot, greasy kitchen while cooking) your skin may absorb some of those damaging free radicals and cause inflammation while it heals itself. Likewise, if you cut open your knee, the area could become initially inflamed, followed by the possibility of prolonged discomfort if left untreated.
You can aid in your body’s natural response to this by supplementing with a topical treatment like Pure Inflamedix™, a Natural Pain Relief Cream.
This treatment is a combination of unique, natural, and certified organic ingredients that have been used for centuries to provide an effective remedy for pain relief, providing a safe, natural form of relief from acute and chronic pain resulting from inflammation. Supplemental products like this help you stop the painful inflammation in its tracks, and proceed with your life.
INTERNAL ~ To create a healthy, balanced life free from chronic pain and inflammation, you need to ensure you have the right substances going into your body. We can’t say it enough but it’s all about diet, diet, diet- and supplements. What you put in your body matters, beginning with diet, following with supplements and medications.
The best way to start consuming an anti-inflammatory diet is to go to load up on as many greens as possible. Watercress, for example, is one the highest anti-inflammatory greens- it tastes great and can be used in any salad.
Want a “safety net” solution? Pick up one of our LifeStyle Care Packs for daily whole body support. Each pack includes InflaMedix, Digestion Plus, Pure Greens, Omega Plus and Pure Plant Protein.
Mental ~ Did you know you can trick your body into a healthier state through an improved mental state? Mental health is just as important as physical health, if not more. Without mental health, our bodies suffer.
Stress, a primary indicator of poor mental health, is the ultimate kiss of death- we know this all too well. Stress is also the primary driver of chronic inflammation and can quickly take your condition from bad to worse. Practicing healthy activities like meditation, yoga, and other forms of exercise that give you a mental break can completely transform your body, and your life. Treat your mind, and you’ll end up treating your body. Treat your body, and you’ll end up treating your life.
If you can somehow incorporate a revived focus on these three areas of your body, you can begin to shift towards a healthier, pain-free life with a balanced response to inflammation.
Tell me how I can help you! Wishing you the very best and good health!
