Help for Anxiety and Worry

Many of us feel stressed, worried, overwhelmed, and exhausted. We live in such a fast-paced, world of unrelenting pressure and expectations and there’s no sign of it letting up.  

Technology can be a good thing and it’s here to stay, but with all the accessible information, we can be bombarded and overloaded with information on a minute by minute basis. 

 Did you know that the average person spends 4 hours a day on their cell phone and the average teen spends 9 hours with half being spent on social media?  

Information can create anxiety and the use of the actual device takes a physiological toll too.  The National Toxicology Program and World Health Organization, reveal to us that the Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and the radiofrequency radiation have devastating effects on our health and especially for children.  The results of this radiation also cause stress on the nervous system, which erodes our sense of peace and calm, causing us to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and filled with anxious thoughts.

If this sounds like you, here are some things that will help:

-Limit your child’s use of a smartphone or a tablet and do not let them hold it if they are watching it.  If they play a game make sure it’s on “airplane mode.”

-Turn off your cell phone every night (preferably an hour before bed) and don’t sleep with it by your bed.  

-Turn off the modem/WIFI in your house and/or make sure it’s not close to your family’s bedrooms.

-Limit the amount of time you put your cell phone to your head, instead use the built-in speaker for remote use.

-Take a good magnesium supplement to help support your nervous system. 

Contact me: Donna@HealthyFamilyHappyLife.org for help or more information.

Inflammation Causes Illness and Pain

Homemade Cough Syrup

Here's a recipe for something that will help with a cough.  


2 TBSP. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
2 TBSP. water
2 TBSP. Raw, local, organic honey
1/4 tsp. Ground Ginger
1/4 tsp. Ground Cayenne (red) pepper

Mix all of the above and take a few teaspoons.   It will paper your throat with heat, while it subdues your hacking.  Also, consider adding two teaspoons of this completed recipe to a "hot toddy" if you aren't opposed to alcohol.  I'd suggest rum or whiskey.

More helpful suggestions?  You can contact me at Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

A Healthy Pumpkin Latte

A Healthy Pumpkin Latte

I was so very surprised at an article I saw on one of the early mornings shows this past Monday!  Afterall it's still mid-August and an average of 85-90 degrees in Southern California.  The discussion was on Pumpkin lattes and what percentage of people thought it was time to start making or ordering them.  I can't remember the statistics but what matters most to me is the health consequences of habitually ordering drinks like this!  Did you know that on average a Pumpkin latte has about 400 (empty) calories and 13 grams of fat, 8 grams of them saturated!  Not to mention all the chemicals in the syrup that is commonly used...and the white sugar!

  Great news!  I found a healthy alternative that also tastes great.  I suggest making a few days worth ahead of time so you won't be tempted to stop (you know where) on your way to or from work or the gym!.  Store it in an airtight jar in your refrigerator.  

Let me know if you like it and BTW, don't worry about the pumpkin residue at the bottom, "you know where" would have that too if they used real food instead of chemicals.  Here's to your great health!

INGREDIENTS

1. 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2. 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
3. 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5. 2-3 drops of liquid stevia (or sweetener of choice)
6. 8 ounces brewed coffee (or 1-2 shots of espresso)
7. Sprinkle of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. In a cup or saucepan, mix together almond milk and pumpkin. Cook on medium heat on the stovetop or microwave for 30-45 seconds.
2. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, spices, and sweetener, place in a cup and use a frother to foam the milk. You can also use a blender —  just process for 30 seconds or until foamy.
3. Pour coffee into a large mug; add the foamy milk mixture on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Enjoy!    source.   
4. Thank you Brittany Mullins!

Contact me at Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

Back To School Eating!

Moms and Dads around the world get ready to send their children back to school!  The "back to school shopping lists" have been received and anticipation of a new season is here!
As you shop for those new shoes or school uniforms I also want to urge you spend some time thinking about health.

Preparing to feed your children well is something that should be equally or more important than shopping for those new backpacks, pencils, and books and I am here to help.   First off,  I recommend you ask your child what he or she likes to eat.  Don't pack them a turkey sandwich if you know that will end up in the trash!  Give them only good choices by asking them, "would you prefer (fill in the blank) or (fill in the blank).?"

 Here ares some of my practical, healthy tips to consider when getting ready to shop for and pack those lunches:

1)   Pack a protein each day.  Go to the deli counter and ask the butcher for the most natural meats possible.  Take the meat out of the deli wrap once you get home and repack them in an airtight glass countainer.  Almond butter is full of protein too and it makes a great sandwich that can be combined with a low-sugar real fruit spread.  Heres' a recipe for easy jam here.  (make sure the berries are organic-read why in #2).  You can make a few of these ahead of time and stack them up in your refrigerator.  *A word about bread-make sure you buy whole, sprouted bread or a healthy grain-free alternative.  "Gluten-free" is a buzz now, but a lot of these breads are loaded with sugar. Read the labels!

2)   Provide something raw every day.  Buy organic frutis and vegetables only.  If you are in the USA our crops are grown with GMO seeds and the glyphosate (chemical weed killer) is in that seed!  (Monanto finally got nailed for this.  You can read here). Apples are a very good choice because they can be packed in a lunch whole or cut-up.  You can include hummus as a dip. (Costco has great , organic, single-serving hummus for lunches). Squeeze some lemon on the apples to keep them fresh. Carrots, celery, and sugar snap peas are also great and can be dipped in that same hummus or almond butter.

3)   Give your children brain food which means avoiding processed food.  (This includes most packaged cheese). Check packages for added chemicals and sugar and try to buy things as natural as possible.  Yogurt might seem like a good choice but all fruit yogurts are filled with way too much added sugar.  I suggest you make your own fruit yogurt. Also, many yogurts are made from cow's milk from cows that are fed corn and treated with hormones. Buy products that are produced from pasture-raised cows.  Buy one of the bigger, quart-size, plain, organic yogurts and add your own blueberries or strawberries.  Pack in in a small glass container or a glass jar.  (Start recycling some of those that come with your condiments) Not only will you be providing a lunch with less sugar but you'll save lots of $ this way.  Those individual yogurts are expensive!

4)  Make sure their drinks are also low on sugar and chemicals.  Just because something says "natural" on it doesn't mean it's good for them.   Again, low-sugar, organic, watered-down juices can be good choices but be careful.   Even if it's purchased at a "health food" store, chances are they contain too much sugar.  If you dilute them with water by 50% and put them in a thermos, your children will gulp it down without question.  *Avoid Gatorade and anything artificially colored blue, orange, purple, or red!

5) Deserts are special and give your child something to look forward to, but again, be careful about added chemicals and sugar.   I have started making chocolate chip cookies out of nut flours and everyone in the family loves them!   Buy chips that have no soy lecithin in them because soy has been proven to cause thyroid issues.   Here's a recipe you can follow here.  I like to double-up on the recipe and keep some in the freezer.

Above are only a few suggestions when getting ready to prepare the very important fuel that will help your children perform better in school.  Most of it you can prepare ahead of time.  Make sure you alternate meals, unless you have a child that likes the same thing each day.  Again ask them!  If you follow my suggestions they will also sleep better and be in a better mood when they are awake.

 I've spent many years studying these things and I've raised my children with the basic principles I briefly outlined above.   For the most part, this "formula" worked!  They are now adults with children of their own.  It's great to see that what they learned from me is being passed along to the next generation.

Need more help sorting this all out?  You can book a coaching session with me.  I can also talk to your child or children.  I've had great experience educating children about health when they won't listen to you!

Questions?  Write to me: Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

In Great Health!   Donna

Slow Down and Smell The Roses

                                                     Enjoy The Little Things In Life

My hope is that you will go to RobertSchullerInspiration.com and sign-up for our newest inspirational video series.

If you need help or personal coaching you can email me and I will help you.
Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

Healthy Family, Happy Life

For all of you who are curious...yes, I eat healthy and clean as my standard "diet." I have been this way for most of my life. It comes naturally because my mom fed me healthy meals when I was growing-up. I do love food and I am not deprived in any way. I consume at least 2000-2500 calories every day. I had ice cream last night...it was real ice cream..not filled with a ton of fake chemicals. Sugar-yes but nothing on a long list that I couldn't read. I am 62 years old, I take no medicine, including no tylenol or aspirin--none. I love tough metabolic conditioning (exercise) classes which are filled with people half my age, and I keep up. I can still wake-board,snow ski, golf, play tennis, run, lift weights, vigorously dance, hike, and most anything I want to do. I can play on the floor with my grandchildren and I can play chase and hide and seek as well as jump in a trampoline park! I still wear the same size that I wore in high school, though the body has shifted a bit over the years! I get regular chiropractic adjustments. My mom is 80 and she takes NO medicine at all. My dad's mom died at nearly 101 and she took no medicine. I practice a positive faith daily and I try to let go of negative emotions and hurtful people as soon as possible. I try to heal relationships and help people. I never intentionally do anything to hurt. I treasure peace of mind and I learn from my mistakes. I have no pride in admitting when I've done wrong and in saying, "I am sorry." You may question and wonder about all my "green drinks" or any other of my life's practices I share with you, but, how many of you are drug-free, living at peace with God and your "neighbor," and are active and healthy as you were in your youth? My idea of a happy, healthy life is to live a life filled with love and enjoy it from a vertical perspective until God takes me home. God willing this will be my future.

To contact me:  Donna@DonnaSchuller.com

7 Antibacterial Essential Oils and How to Use Them

1. Tea Tree Oil                                                                                                                                source

Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree plant, which grows in Australia. It’s been used for centuries to heal burns, cuts, and scrapes, thanks to its antiseptic properties. It is also effective for eliminating oral and acne causing bacteria, and can naturally disinfect things in your home, such as toothbrushes, the inside of your washing machine, and bathroom countertops (4, 5).

How to Use Tea Tree Oil

Although it’s safe for your skin when properly diluted, tea tree oil is extremely potent and can burn when it’s applied. So be sure to dilute a few drops in water or a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, before using it on your skin.
To use tea tree as a natural household disinfectant, add 3 drops of tea tree essential oil to a glass spray bottle with 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 3 drops of lemon essential oil.

Tea tree oil can also be added to homemade toothpastes made from baking soda. A drop can be added to oil when you oil pull for extra antibacterial action – be careful though, it’s strong enough that all you need is 1 drop.

2. Grapefruit Essential Oil

Research shows that grapefruit essential oil is effective for killing off bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus (one of the most common strains of bacteria that causes infections), salmonella, and E. coli (6).
Be sure not to confuse grapefruit essential oil with grapefruit seed extract, as grapefruit essential oil comes from the peel of the grapefruit, not the seeds.

How to Use Grapefruit Essential Oil

The most common way to use grapefruit essential oil is to ingest it, by adding 1-2 drops (or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner) to your water.

You can also apply it topically to your skin when mixed with a carrier oil, to fight skin infections, and prevent wounds from becoming infected. Just be sure to avoid the sunlight after applying grapefruit essential oil. Citruses can make your skin very sensitive to the sun’s UV rays and can cause burns.

3. Oregano Essential Oil

Ask any nutritionist which natural remedy they have on hand during cold season when bacteria runs rampant, and they’ll probably say oregano essential oil, or oil of oregano.
As a quick note, while these two oils sound the same (and have the same health benefits), oil of oregano is the diluted version of oregano essential oil – usually with a food grade carrier oil – so that it’s safe to ingest. In other words, oil of oregano is the form you’ll want to use if you’re applying it topically or ingesting it.
Studies have shown that oregano essential oil is effective against 20 different strains of E. coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa, the pathogen known to cause cystic fibrosis (7, 8). Oregano oil has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and to aid in digestion.

How to Use Oregano Essential Oil

For topical infections, you can apply oregano essential oil to your skin by diluting it in coconut oil. If you have an oil pulling routine, you can also add 1 drop of oregano oil to your oil, which can help kill off bacteria in your mouth.

Oregano oil can be added to your favourite recipes, or taken as a nutritional supplement. Since oregano oil is known to interact with certain medications, be sure to consult with a licensed healthcare practitioner to determine the safest dose for you.

4. Cinnamon Essential Oil

In one study, compared to thyme and clove oil, cinnamon essential oil was shown to have the strongest antibacterial activity against infectious diseases caused by pathogens and germs found in food (9).
Other studies revealed that cinnamon essential oil has activity against Gram-positive bacteria (such as staphylococcus) and Gram-negative bacteria (such as E. coli) responsible for human infectious diseases, as well as bacteria that cause degradation of food or cosmetics (10).

How to Use Cinnamon Essential Oil

Cinnamon essential oil is safe to ingest and has a pleasant taste, so you can add a drop to your herbal tea, or another warming beverage (like this tasty Turmeric Latte). You can also add it to your baking, homemade toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, and for oil pulling, which may help eliminate bacteria that cause oral and digestive issues.

5. Citronella

Citronella oil is best known for being an effective natural insect repellent, but it’s also shown to protect against systemic bacteria – for example, bacteria in the digestive tract – which can lead to infections in the colon, stomach, intestines, and kidneys (11).
Citronella can also help prevent bacterial infections on your skin from wounds or cuts.

How to Use Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella essential oil is safe to ingest in very small doses and can be added to aromatic beverages such as herbal tea (be sure consult a healthcare practitioner for the correct dosage).

When using citronella on your skin, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil.

6. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus is best known for clearing up symptoms of the common cold, such as a cough and runny nose, as it helps your body eliminate mucus and bacteria from your respiratory tract.
As with the rest of the antibacterial essential oils mentioned, eucalyptus also has an inhibitory effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which means it can protect against food borne illnesses, and other infectious diseases that require the use of antibiotics (12).

How to Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil

You can soak up the health benefits of eucalyptus essential oil by adding 5 drops to a warm bath, or inhale it by placing a few drops in an oil diffuser before bed.

7. Thyme Essential Oil

We mentioned above that studies have shown certain essential oils to be powerful enough to help clear up bacterial infections as efficiently as antibiotics.
One study used thyme essential oil in bacterial vaginosis treatment, and found it effect for getting rid of recurrent episodes of BV, making it an ideal alternative to antibiotics (13).

How to Use Thyme Essential Oil

To fight infections, dilute 1-2 drops of thyme essential oil with a carrier oil and rub onto the affected area.

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Final Note:

As always, be sure to check in with a healthcare practitioner before adding a new essential oil to your wellness routine. They should be used with caution, the same way as you would nutritional supplements, since they’re extremely concentrated and may interfere with pregnancy or pre-existing health conditions. A good rule of thumb when it comes to essential oils is that less is more. So make sure you use high quality essential oils and to dilute them with a high quality carrier oil like coconut oil.

 Thanks PaleoHacks.   

 If you want to buy the highest quality essential oils please contact me at Donna@DonnaSchuller.com   Anything you purchase goes directly into my ministry.  I coach, mentor, and assist women and girls get through transitions and tough times.   Thank you for your help in this ongoing project of mine.