We’re so often told forgiveness is the key to freedom. 

Or, to “just let go”. 

I’ve spent the better parts of 40+ years working on healing a litnay of challenges from early childhood sexual abuse and familial alcoholism, to physical abuse at the hands of a sibling and numerous injuries, illnesses that allopathic medicine couldn’t “fix”.

Something I feel confident of, also backed by ancient modalities, spiritual practices and, more recently, science: trauma is stored in our bodies. 

It is passed down from generation to generation not only by learning poor coping skills, being trained not to see options/lack of awareness of something “different” and modeling less than useful behaviors, but in our very DNA.

I can honestly say I’ve worked HARD to forgive, to let go, to heal. 

Counseling. Trauma therapy. Self-help groups, books and retreats. Studying herbs, nutrition, essential oils, psychology, communications and more. Yoga, exercise, breastwork, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.

And, today, I’m settling on this: LET IT BE.

If we could forgive or let go, we would. 

Sure, maybe not all of us, but most of us. 

We’d LOVE to be able to pull out every strand of pain, every fiber of anger, wavelength of rage, frustration. The deep GRIEF, WOUNDEDNESS, hurt, sorrow. 

To have the abandonment leave our hearts, minds and bodies forever. 

To feel like our soul is whole. To not have that hidden and lingering impression of something stolen from us that everyone else on earth has…

We’ve literally given up our health first to keep the secrets, then lost our families and friends for telling them. 

All in attempt to heal.

We’ve been ridiculed, called liars, abandoned, excluded, isolated, hurt (physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually) for not only speaking up, attempting to change, heal and survive — but because of WHO WE ARE.

Because we are different. 

Different from both our family because we are working to heal AND from society because we don’t have the tools or genetic make-up that others with less/different ancestry and experiences do. 

To deny this fundamental aspect of trauma is to deny us our hearts, souls, strength… our essence. ​

People will say “you are trapped in victimhood.” 

To quote my dad “No shit Sherlock”….how can we NOT be when it is a response WIRED into our minds and CODED into our DNA?

“Gandhi survived his challenges and forgave, you can too…that lady who lost her arm in a shark attack turned it into gold…and…and…and…”

While well-meaning, what it feels like to folks in a fog of chemicals triggered bodily responses, ones they might not even be fully cognizant of, is more victim blaming. 

And, on many levels it is.

Especially, if we do not fully know someone’s story. 

An assumption that someone is not living up to their potential is still a judgement that can carry a hefty weight for those of us working to find balance.

You may assume we are needing to ‘rebalance,’ but what I’m saying is many of us never felt balance. 

Never felt safety. Peace. Not at fundamental core levels.

So, the “pick yourself up by the bootstraps” approach may be a nice game we can play (and many of us have only known this our entire lives) is simply another notch on the side of trauma on our scoreboard of life.

That’s not to say I don’t believe in accountability. I do. But, hell, many of us have been accountable for not only ourselves, but our entire family and family systems throughout our lives.

My point in sharing all this, well, there are probably many. But, for now, I just want anyone who cannot fathom the path to forgiveness, all of us whose path to “letting go” is riddled with grasping on, to realize both phrases are highly inaccurate.

The point we are aiming for is PEACE. 

And, peace may be very different place for you than for me, based on our unique circumstances.

Here, we acknowledge our growth and our limitations, not as another failed attempt to meet society’s, our family or friends’ standards, but to settle into new sensations, beliefs, hopes, dreams.

The foreign territory of learning to feel safe when life is going well. That perhaps, just perhaps, this time…the other shoe will NOT drop. 

To create NEW chemical responses.

And, when the old chemical freight train courses uncontrollably through our bodies, to pause, breathe and LET IT BE. 

That’s it. 

Let it Be. 

Let YOURSELF BE. 

Allow the hate, rage, hurt, anger, mis-takes along your path. Allow the seeming unending grief, pain, jabs and triggering.

To sit in that sea of chemicals understanding (as best we can) what it is and popping our noses up like a manatee, dolphin or whale, to catch a breath. 

My trauma, YOUR trauma, literally is a wound trying to heal….on so many levels.

When the scab is “picked-at” (aka you are triggered), your body is trying to help save you by dumping all those intense hormones we call “fight, flight, freeze and fawn.”

Your system calls it “survival” and “normal”…life. 

So, like the sore on your skin that itches, breaks open occasionally as it heals, we Let It Be when it comes to the scratchy, red, swollen pain of our emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual trauma.

You don’t need my permission to Let It Be, but you have it if you want it. 

If you’d like some support as you work to create a body, mind, spirit that can hold health and wellbeing, I’m here to help. [email protected]

I weep in gratitude for what I have and frustration for what I want
I sigh in despair and awe at life
I am baffled by how far I’ve come and how far I’ve yet to go
I am weary, worn, drained…yet the scent of trees, the sight of snow and touch of love sustain me eternally 
How can I, we, be both flawed and whole
This is pure mystery to me, waiting merely to unfold 
​~mag

Today, I’m shining a light on the body’s master antioxidant: GLUTATHIONE.

You’ve read about it in Suzanne Somers’ books, seen it discussed by medical professionals on TV and by influencers online — all for good reason!

Without geeking out too much, this antioxidant made of up 3 amino acids (protein building blocks of the body) is astounding.

Made in our liver, it is SO crucial to our wellbeing, it’s found in EVERY CELL IN OUR BODIES:

• Needed for DNA production
• Removes heavy metals, drugs, chemicals (detox)
• Protects against oxidative stress 
• Discourages rouge cell production
• Helps the liver & gallbladder process fats

(A quick search online yields the benefits for some serious chronic conditions and overall importance of the antioxidant).

Some researchers believe that glutathione levels in our cells may be a predictor of our longevity and, unfortunately, our production of this crucial compound declines with age. 

Options for boosting levels range in price and effectiveness:

• Sulfur-rich foods like garlic, onions, broccoli, spinach, avocados, asparagus, unprocessed meat (may not be easily absorbed, but these also provide other important compounds our bodies need naturally)
• NAC and/or milk thistle to activate your body’s production (quality, dosage & regular use are crucial)
• Glutathione pills (taken orally; conflicting research on effectiveness)
• IV infusions (working with a provider to receive an IV; effects last a few months)
• Glutathione patch (increases your body’s own glutathione production naturally  by an average of 300%; worn 5-7 days a week for up to 12 hours at a time)

“Glutathione is best known for repairing damaged cells in your body. It may help ward off a variety of diseases, such as neurological disorders, liver disease, certain heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, respiratory diseases, and other medical conditions.”  Source: WebMD

Other research shows an improvement in skin’s appearance, relaxation, detoxification, immunity and overall wellbeing. 
Have you tried glutathione yet? Let us know.
​To learn more about services and to try the patch: [email protected] 

Ideally, horses, mules, donkeys and minis encounter essential oils (EO) naturally while grazing on live plants and as flavoring in their feed. With many equines now kept in less natural surroundings due to space and time considerations, EO can play a vital role in helping your companions stay healthy.

​Click button below for more tips and 4 essential oils to use with your equines!

Project Pet is an educational effort designed TO EMPOWER YOU & YOUR
PETS TO LIVE NOURISHED LIVES! Today, we share about using Essential Oils with cats. 

Contrary to what you may have heard, MANY essential oils are safe for animals.* However, there ARE
essential oils (EO) to AVOID with felines as some cats simply don't carry the liver enzymes needed to
process EO high in specific compounds. Click cat_eo_pp.pdf for more info., including 5 EO purrfect for your favorite felines.

There seems to be an extensive amount of information and mis-information on the internet about using essential oils (EO) on or with animals, especially with cats. So, how do we know where to begin? Let’s start with this article, one in a series designed to move us from fear to fact while caring
for the animals in our lives naturally! A holistic health practitioner who specializes in animal reiki shares expert tips on safety, use and key oils she always has on-hand for the animals in her life in this series.
Link to full article; https: bit.ly/4dQuIVi and found in BRAINZ Magazine online. 
Source: BRAINZ Magazine

Project Pet is Education with a Purpose. Through this initiative, we're sharing information to empower you and your pets to live nourished lives holistically.
Today, a quick overview of essential oil use with your canine companions. Contrary to what you may have heard, MANY essential oils are safe for animals*, especially dogs.
However, dogs & their noses are FAR more sensitive to the scent & energies in essential oils (EO) than humans so please use with care. Introduce EO gradually, opening a bottle in a different room & letting the animal come to you. Then, work your way up to more direct contact. Always trust your dog’s instincts on use.
Download the following complimentary guide for our 5 favorite essential oils for your canine companions: canine_eo.pdf
Be sure to email if you have any questions or would like to book a consultation and/or reiki session:  [email protected].
*Please check with your holistic vet before adding EO to your dog’s care.

An Old World plant found commonly in Europe, Africa and Asia, chicory was introduced to the Americas and Australia where it flourished.

With common names such as coffee weed, horseweed, bachelor's buttons, wild endive, blue dandelion or even blue daisy, the woody perennial (an herbaceous member of the Asteraceae family) features bright blue flowers and is often found gracing our roadways and open fields.

Since each part of the plant (leaves, roots and buds) provide benefits, chicory has been cultivated for livestock and human consumption. Throughout Europe, along with parts of Asia, South Africa and the southern US (New Orleans), the root is ground into a powder and used either as a coffee substitute or blended with coffee due to its robust flavor. Additionally, chicory is often added to stouts by breweries, enhancing the beer's coffee-like flavor.

With 20% of the RDA of vitamins K, A, C, several Bs along with fair amounts of manganese and calcium, the leaves are often added to salads. You may be more familiar with the cultivated varieties like radicchio and Belgian endive.  

HISTORY
Use of the ancient herb dates back to 1 AD when the physicians Dioscurides (Greek) and Plinius (Roman) made notes of chicory used as medicinal plants to aid digestion, support the liver and address inflammation. However, it wasn't until the Renaissance when "recipes" for its use began being documented (quantities, ratios, cooking methods, etc.).

According to the National Library of Medicine, "Chicory is mentioned in almost every pharmacopeia written in the 16th and 17th centuries by influential botanists and physicians of the time... In their recipes, all plant parts were used: roots, leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, and the milky juice." Unfortunately, as allopathic medicine took hold, the plant faded from books and use.

BENEFITS
With high levels of the fiber inulin (68%), chicory is a wonderful pre-biotic that helps grow the gut's good bacteria, nourishing the entire digestive tract, reducing heartburn and constipation. The fiber also makes chicory "heart healthy", lowering "bad cholesterol" (LDL). 

Research into both human and livestock uses are just beginning to reveal what our ancestors benefited from by incorporating this plant into their daily lives. Research shared on WebMD lists benefits ranging from increased essential mineral absorption (reducing risk of osteoporosis) to reducing risks of liver disorders, inflammation of the skin, even cancer.

​From "food for the sick", anti-inflammatory applications to its addition to cosmetics, chicory has a long, rich history in common culture and medical practices. Today, it is being re-discovered by the allopathic community and researched for the very properties relied on by holistic healers and native elders for centuries.

I just received my first bag of RYZE Chicory (blended with super shrooms) and look forward to experiencing the benefits! Have you tried this ancient herb? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

For more information or with questions, email [email protected]. Be sure to follow me on Insta & Facebook @NourishedPath and explore abundant living at nourishedpath.net!