Motivation Monday – Selfcare for the Body

Motivation Monday – Selfcare for the Body is one of the first videos in a series of videos that I have done on the MagicBridges, LLC facebook page.  The idea of self-care is a huge hot button for me.  Mostly because it is the first thing that I let go of when I was struggling to manage all the things that my life had thrown at me.  So, I wanted to help others realize how small steps could make huge differences.

Motivation Monday – Selfcare in Less than 1 Minute

So how can you do something about your physical self care without having to add more to you crazy plate?  Well, I am going to offer you three different options for consideration here.  You can chose to implement them or not, but trust me when you get overwhelmed, being out of shape and sick are not going to make it any better.

Tip #1 – Foundation of Health

The foundation of health, in my opinion, is to take vitamins.  We do not get enough of the nutrients we need in our bodies by the food we consume.  Even if we consume a lot of food, it doesn’t mean we are getting all the goodies we need.  So how do you get the goodies you need?  Take some vitamins.  I personally prefer taking LLV by doTerra.  While I am a Wellness Advocate and it makes sense for me to say positive things about the products, I have to say there is a remarkable difference between when I take them and when I do not.  We have 8 people living in our home, and nearly all of them had the flu – and a nasty version of it.  I, knock on wood, did not get it.  So, works for me!

Tip #2 – We are Made of Water

This winter seems to have been particularly hard on me.  My face is very dry and I am coughing from a dry throat all the time.  So, it reminded me how important it is to drink water.  It only takes a few seconds to take a drink.  I have made taking a drink after brushing my teeth a habit, so at least I get one 8 oz glass of water in me.  The only way I can remember to do things like drink water is to link it to another behavior I do every day.  So, give it a try, your body will thank you.

Tip #3 – Move your Butt

Yep, that is what I said.  You don’t have to work out for 30 minutes or anything like that.  Just stand up and do 10 jumping jacks, or 5 pushups, or 6 situps.  Whatever you can do to move your body around.  A body in motion tends to stay in motion.  At the very least, you will get your blood moving a bit.  I know, I know.  You are not going to lose weight or have any major health changes from 10 jumping jacks, but moving is better than not moving and what is happening in our head is as important as what is happening in our body.  So, let me see those jumping jacks folks!

Motivation Monday – Selfcare in Less than 1 Minute

That a wrap folks.  Selfcare in less than 1 Minute.  What do you do to help take care of yourself that might help others?

~Jackie

Top 7 Tips for Winter Wellness

So I live in WI.  It is the beginning of January and it is colder than a witches … okay I’ll keep it PC.  It is literally below 0 Fahrenheit.  So, since I am sure many of you are in the same boat as I am in.  So, how do you stay healthy in the winter months?

1. Let the sunshine in!  So, I liked the 40 year old virgin.  It was funny.  They sang this song, so I think I am clever quoting it.  But really, sunshine has vitamin D.  Vitamin D is critical to your core immune system.  Try to get some sunshine.
2. In Living Color!  I am cracking myself up here.  Or dating myself.  Either way, get some color in your diet.  Eating fruits and veggies help to increase the antioxidants in your body.  Antioxidants like vitamin D and C –  (Ah, there is that Vitamin D again!) – antioxidants help support your immune system.  Try to eat more of the good stuff.
3. Supplement with OnGuard.  You can put a drop in your water, use the beadlets, or the softgels.  Great immune system supporter!
4. Wash Wash Wash your hands!  Nuh said.  Helps to eliminate the exchange of germs and other yucky stuff.  Just do it.  You can also add the OnGuard Sanitizing Mist in lieu of hand sanitizer after you wash your hands.
5. Sleep like a Baby!  Or at least like you took NyQuil.  Nah, not really.  Just make sure you get enough sleep, not doing so acts as an immune system suppressant.  You can supplement with Serenity Restful blend if you need a little help – but try to stay away from Amb***.  Now is not the time of year to go wandering in the middle of the night in the cold (totally kidding, please don’t sue me company name that I did not mention fully.)
6. Move your A… Butt!  (See how I reworded that there?).  Exercise helps to regulate your blood sugar, cortisol levels and other chemical messengers in your body.  These assist your immune system with working more effectively.
7. Relax or Meditate.  Easier said than done, I know.  Personally I like the Insight Timer app (it is free, and I just really like it!) for FREE guided meditations.  You can also try our Balance, Serenity, or our Emotional Aromatherapy blends to help you out.

It’s cold out there campers!  Try to stay warm, stay healthy, and stay safe.  Most of all, try to keep your sense of humor.

#magicbridges

WTFrank are Essential Oils Anyway?

So WTF (Frankincense) are essential oils anyway?  It seems like a simple enough question.  It is certainly one that any of us wellness advocates out there really want you to think is super simple.  While the use of essential oils is pretty simple, what they actually “ARE” – well maybe no so much – and that is okay – really!

You see, there are no wasted efforts by Mother Nature.  Nope – none – Nada – Zilch.  So what does that mean to us in terms of essential oils?  Well, it means that every little thing that we take for granted is actually important.  No really.  Think about it.  The fragrance of a flower, the smell of an orange, or the scent of a pine tree – all of these serve a very specific purpose vital to a plants survival.  What we perceive as fragrances or scents are actually volatile aromatic compounds.  Yep!  Little tiny organic molecules that serve a variety of protective, reproductive, and regenerative purposes.  And we thought they were simply smelly.  Nope.

 

So what are some of these purposes?  Well, these compounds can help ward off unfriendly pest like fleas and ticks that mess with your buddy Fido or your favorite rose bush.  The compounds can also attract friendly herbivores (ya know, plant eaters) and insects and eve help the plant heal from infection and physical injury.  These little buggers are like super powers for plants.  I’m a bit jealous!

 

Some good news is there are over 3,000 identified varieties of aromatic compounds.  Each variety has its own unique and functional chemical constituents that provide different aromas and benefits to the plants – oh yeah – and us too.  From the petals of a daisey to the leaves of a spider plant, the rind of a Lemon, or the resin of a Birch tree – these volatile aromatic compounds are all around us.  Makes you feel a bit warm and fuzzy now doesn’t it?  Distilled directly from their plant sources, essential oils are multifaceted agents that seem to have an endless application to our health as well as the plants.  Do you want to hear even more good news?  You can get the benefits of essential oils aromatically, topically, or internally.

 

To ensure maximum potency, and therefore reaps the most benefits, it is important that essentials oils maintain a delicate ratio of aromatic constituents.  These constituents can vary depending on the time of day, part of the plant that is being harvested,  the lifecycle of when the plant is being harvested, the geographical location and weather where the plant was grown or even the method and duration of distillation.  It is for all these reasons that it is vital that essential oils come from a trusted source.  A source that is committed to not only producing unadulterated essentials oils (i.e. no crud is put in and no goodies are taken out), but to adhering to strict production protocols.

Hey, mother nature isn’t a slouch.  There is no wasted efforts in nature and neither should there be in the health care you provide for yourself and those you love.   So, now you know – essential oils are simple to use but are not simple aromatic compounds.  Yet, you don’t have to worry about that part.  The main thing I suggest you keep an eye out for is that the source you select is a good one.  I happen to like doTerra.  I also think that Young Living is a good source as well.  What sources do you trust?

#magicbridges

Welcome to Magic Bridges

Hello Everyone and Welcome.

Magic Bridges is going to be a different kind of company.  Why?  Well, because like all of you, I am different.  I am a working mother, but also an entrepreneur.  I work from home a lot, so I struggle with many things stay at home mom’s struggle with.  Yet, I also work out of the house sometimes, so I know what those mom’s struggle with.

I also have four children.  My kiddos are still young.  I have a 4, 6, 8 and 11 year old.  My six year old is autistic.  I am a wife.  I am a Mom.  Again, like many of you, I have a lot of roles that I have to fill in my life.

One of the things I figured out on this journey into motherhood was that we are all not that different after all.  I have always been that person that connected the dots where others didn’t see dots.  Then, as my journey with my autistic child started and my life took a new turn, I started seeing my odd ability to connect things others wouldn’t think to connect as a real skill set.

So, I am the Mom that uses essential oils.  I am also a 20 year technologist with a background in software development.  I have boys and girls.  I have worked in an office, remote, and full-time at home.  So, I am here to help show everyone one else the odd connections, the magic, that I was able to find.  The magic that connected my crazy life and bridged a whole bunch of connections that I didn’t know were there.  These life hacks, these essential oil recipes, these entrepreneurial short-cuts — all of these will begin to be documented here.

My hope for you is that you join me in the journey to connect the seemingly disparate dots and find new solutions to your struggles.  You will find there isn’t really much that is new, only things you have not yet discovered.  We often tend to look where we are familiar.  So, I am going to be the magic that helps you bridge those gaps.  Together, we will find the solutions you are seeking.  Oh, and I will do my best to give you essential oils tips and tricks so you can bring a whole lot more nature into our digital life.

I can’t wait to hang out with all of you!  Check in often.

#magicbridges

Best Essential Oil User Resources

Below are some different websites you will find supplies, reference materials and different essential oil tools.

Oil Life– Oil Life is a great resource for both the essential oil user and the essential oil entrepreneur.

My Oil Gear– My Oil Gear is another great resource.

Aroma Tools– Aroma Tools has supplies and tools for both the essential oil user and essential oil entrepreneur.

Reference Resources

Below are science related websites where you can find a wealth of information on the science behind essential oils:

Aromatic Science– Aromatic Science website contains published scientific studies on essential oils. The information on the website is for personal education purposes only and does not promote any specific brand.

Pub Med– Pub Med is another great free scientific website that publishes references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics.

Don’t see a resource you feel would be a great added addition. Send me a message via Contact and I will review to consider adding.