Let the change begin

Today has been big. I'm sitting at the gym talking to people and getting the word out. I've put up signs, and had some great conversations. The key to the office was put in my hand. This is it! 

Change is in the air once again.

 The last couple of years have been a huge shift in focus and learning new things. I am excited to announce that I will be joining forces with Lake Country Fitness and LCF Wellness in Eufaula, OK. 

Lake Country Fitness and LCF Wellness have so much to offer with there sauna,cold plunge, salt cabin, organic spray tan, fitness classes and gym it was a no brainer when I was offered a space of my own.

It will be the same ole Curious Roots, well mostly, there is less time for creating and making, but services will stay the same and as I get settled in to a new space and new atmosphere I am sure everything will evolve.  Keep checking back over the next month or so for updates and photos of the progress. If you are in the area say hi! 

It's been a minute!

 Curious Roots is alive and well. I am not sure why we let the blog go unattended for so long, but we are still here. If you want to catch up try searching for us on Facebook and soon TikTok. 

Just a quick rundown. The last two years have had us moving our office a couple of times within the office building due to various reasons. We have learned a few things and made a few things. Found friends and lost friends along the way, but the important part is that we grew in ways that we never thought possible and added new passions and knowledge to our little enterprise.

Curious Roots is now looking at a whole new chapter and adventure that we hope you will join us on. We will look a little different and maybe sound a little different but we will still be providing everything you need to know to live a healthy lifestyle; mind, body and spirit. Keep an eye out for details coming in the next week or so. 

Let's Talk about Yarrow

Yarrow is an herb that is easily obtainable from fields or grown in herb gardens. With all the benefits it provides Yarrow is one herb that we need to take notice of and have on hand.

Yarrow has been used to induce sweating and to stop wound bleeding. It also has been reported to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. It has been used to relieve GI ailments, for cerebral and coronary thromboses, to lower high blood pressure, to improve circulation, and to tone varicose veins.


Yarrow can be used as a tea, leaves can be eaten in salad, or taken in pill or capsule form. The suggested does is 4.5 mg a day. 

Chewing the young leaves has been said to bring relief from a toothache. 

Yarrow should not be used in pregnancy due to its abortive properties.
 



















References:

https://www.drugs.com/npc/yarrow.html

Is Nutrient Lab Testing Worth it?

Is it worth it to do Nutrient Lab Testing?

John is a former vegetarian, who recently started eating a more vegetable-rich “Paleo” diet.  He’s feeling great, and at his ideal weight, but does have some nagging digestive issues like heartburn and occasional diarrhea, that don’t seem to be going away.  These issues were present when he didn’t eat meat.  He takes over-the-counter supplements to support his body, and isn’t quite sure if they really help all that much.  He was perusing the internet, and “Dr. Google” suggested he could have leaky gut, malabsorption problems, and many other possibilities.  He saw a gastroenterologist about this, who diagnosed him with IBS and suggested he eat more fiber.  He was not pleased with this recommendation, especially because he eats plenty of fiber!  What’s his next step?

Although “Dr. Google” is the bane of many practitioners’ practices, it is also a source of information that can be beneficial.  John did the right thing in seeing a gastroenterologist, but unfortunately many specialists prefer to treat diseases not symptoms, and if there isn’t a good pill or procedure for this, they aren’t really sure what to do.  It isn’t the fault of the doctors for not knowing about nutrition or supplements, but luckily there are people in this world who do have knowledge on this subject.  And these people/practitioners often use lab work to evaluate for nutrient imbalances.  You can skip the practitioner (initially), and get this bloodwork for yourself.

There are many ways to evaluate nutrient status, but it is a good start to look at what’s in the blood through nutrient biomarkers.

Maybe you’re thinking of taking a vitamin B12 supplement – you can look at your bloodwork to see if you really are in need of this.

Maybe you’re thinking of taking vitamin D, or maybe you do take vitamin D – this in particular is important to look whether you are taking a supplement or not.  If your vitamin D levels are too low or too high, this can cause problems.  Check this every 6-12 months when taking a supplement (to make sure it’s the right dose).

There are many nutrients that can be tested.  Before buying that next expensive supplement, make sure you actually need it!  And if you correct your nutrient imbalances, and you’re still have bothersome symptoms, seek the care and evaluation of a good integrative/functional medicine provider.

References:

Connection between inflammation and low vitamin D: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4160567/

Best levels of vitamin D: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5541280/?_ga=2.67143127.750667243.1515071227-1387819590.1509682613

Laboratory testing for B12 deficiency: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573090/

Redefining B12 deficiency: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02485.x

Mullein

Mullein is definitely an herb that should be everyone's medicine cabinet. It is a go to for respiratory concerns and a key ingredient in our herbal cough syrup. Mullein has been used for treating rashes and skin irritations. Think of using the leaves like a bandaid.

Tea made from the flowers and leaves work as an expectorant to bring up phlegm. A poultice made of fresh bruised leaves has been used to treat slow healing wounds. Infusions of the herb are said to cure, burns, sores and ringworm. Mullein has also been used to promote sweating, as a mild diuretic, and to treat kidney infections, colic and digestive upset. An oil infused with the flowers has been found effective for treating ear infections.





The leaves are just beautiful. They are thick and velvety and seem to a act as a tight knit family as the center stalk of the plant shoots up. The leaves appear to have come together to create the dense, strong stalk that produces a cone of beautiful flowers at the very top. Mullein is easy to grow from seed and will seed itself in the right conditions. A beauty to watch grow and a staple in any herb garden!

Family Mealtime: How important is it really?

I had a discussion a few days ago with Linda from Oklahoma Healing Connection. We were talking about breastfeeding and covering up. Now before you get your panties in a wad and tell me that breastfeeding in natural and you shouldn't have to cover up hear me out. First you need to know that I breastfed all 6 of my kids until they were at least a year old and most of them until they were 2 or 3 years old. I have participate in nurse-ins, been asked to go to the bathroom, etc. Our conversation was about the child's need to be covered as they enjoyed their meal. Think about this as a child is nursing and there is noise, lights, conversations going on they are distracted and stimulated which could lead to undo stress and ultimately tummy upset, colic, and just plain grumpiness. Let's look a little deeper. We all have experienced the grumpy baby when mom is stressed. What if there were bystanders that were less than happy with the idea of an exposed boob and latched on baby? What kind of energy and/or emotion are you exposing your baby to as he/she is consuming a meal? Linda and I discussed how covering is not for mom but rather a protection from negative energy, outside distraction, over stimulation, etc for baby. Have no doubt I have fed a baby no matter the situation or atmosphere, because their growth and development are priority. I have always used some sort of covering or stepped away from a group to nurse my babies, not because I was concerned about others opinions but to give baby a quiet, relaxing place to enjoy a meal. I had never thought in depth about protecting baby from negative energy or comments, but it makes perfect sense to me.

What about as the child gets older? Are we protecting family mealtime? I did a little research, mostly out of my own curiosity. Sanford Children's Health suggests that family mealtime builds a child's self esteem, helps develop good communication skills, and encourages important life skills as children are included in meal preparation and clean up.

An article in the Washington Post written by Anne Fishel, co-founder of The Family Dinner Project, professor at Harvard Medical School and author of "Home For Dinner" states that as a family therapist her impulse is to tell families to go home and have dinner together rather than spend an hour in counseling with her. She also says family dinners boost vocabulary even more than children being read to siting research that states children learn about 1000 rare words over the dinner table compared to just 143 words from being read to by parents.

Fishel also mentions that elementary age children show higher achievement in school if they are having family mealtime. Teens who have dinner with family 5-7 times per week are twice as likely to make A's as those who don't have family meals. Teens who have family meals are also less likely to participate in wreckless behaviors such as smoking, and alcohol consumption. I wonder what the teen pregnancy rate is among teens whose families have dinner together on a regular basis.

Family meals also promote healthy eaters as children watch their parents model good nutrition and balanced meals. These children are also less picky and more inclined to try new foods.

Why the decline in the family dinner table? Can we blame technology? Our overly busy schedules? It may be time to sit down and take inventory of the things and activities that are distracting us from the important things like family meal time. Put the phones down, and let's start talking again!!

Read Anne Fishel's article here https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/01/12/the-most-important-thing-you-can-do-with-your-kids-eat-dinner-with-them/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.48da2de1619d