optimal health - Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator

Immune Boosting Strategy

Rommy Kirby — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 21:17:55 +0000

Who needs scary movies anymore?

I know I don’t, as a recovered Germaphobe, all I have to do is turn on the news and BAM…niggling little fears of real life, creepy, crawly unseen threats start gnawing on my ‘oM shanti’ state of mind.

While it can get really scary out there, there is a lot we can personally do to boost our immune system and support our body’s natural “Threat Protection” troops as our first line of defense.

We may still catch a few bugs, but our resiliency to them and our ability to recover will dramatically increase.

This is what I do when I feel that tell-tale tickle in the throat, general achey-ness or fatigue…

Become Aware ~ First I notice that I am not feeling well. I might notice that I’m getting tired faster, feel grumpy, stiff, or stuffy and congested. Because I know that my body never ever lies, it’s a great source of information.

So the next time you tune in and notice something is not just right, celebrate. Yep, listening to your body is one of the strongest things you can do for your health and happiness. You know your body better than anyone, even your doctor, so pay attention to it and treat it right.

Think Positive ~ Then I consciously choose to stay well . Do you remember that tag line, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”? Well, it even more true when it comes to the state of health you want to enjoy. When our body speaks to us through sensations or symptoms we either a see this as a choice to stay as well as possible or we make a choice for the status quo.

Be Proactive ~ Then I take action. When my I feel something coming on, I start the day lots of H2O-bviously Better Skin (water), even more than usual, and follow that with a power breakfast of greens and protein. I get my essential oils out, the Lemon and a synergistic essential oil Protective Blend. I use the Lemon throughout the day for it’s natural detoxifying quality and I drop a few drops of Protective Blend in the back of my throat every 2 hours because it’s super high in anti-oxidants..

I eat only foods that I know would support my body and stay away from the white dietary devils, sugar, flour, and processed dairy. Bone broth is one of my favorite healing foods because it’s soothing, nourishing, warm and hydrating.

I also go into active-inaction. I rest and allow myself to be quiet and still. I take a nourishing bath with Essential Oils and Dead Sea Salts. I keep warm and don’t allow myself to get chilled feet or hands. I don’t rush to do anything, even if it takes all day, that is okay by me cause I am T-I-R-E-D. It takes a lot of energy to for the body to heal and even more to ward off microbial treats. If at all possible, I spend time cuddling with my hubby. (bonus hint here – cuddling boosts your immunity).

When you know that life is going to be more stressful…like that upcoming wedding, adult kids move back or parents in need of parenting, a sick spouse, lots of travel, moving house or a job change…be sure that you tune in to what your body is saying. Yes, it’s a balancing act and balance is dynamic.

Balance is fluid, supple, agile and it shifts in response to the circumstance…stiff, static and rigid balance, sweet one, there really is no such a thing.

Tell me…

Have you been ‘too busy’ and ignored your body only to end up sick? Do you have a Super Self Care tip to share with me? Comment below, you just might inspire someone!

Email me to learn about the resources I use and recommend.

resources

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21078173

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Healthy Legacy – Part 2, Reduce Your Toxic Load

Rommy Kirby — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 22:07:48 +0000

Shockingly, for most Westerners, the most toxic part of our day is before we eat breakfast, during our morning shower.

Pin me!

When we shower, we use municipal water that is loaded with chemicals to make the water “safe” for drinking.

We slide into a nice hot shower and our skin pores open wide and say “ahh” to things like chlorine, herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceutical drugs. On top of that, we use synthetic, toxic chemicals in our hair care, skin care and even our dental products.

Then adding insult to injury, we climb into our car or onto a train for the morning commute and once more we are bombarded by chemicals.

It’s enough to make you want to stay under the covers because…

Many of the chemicals we breathe in and slather on can not be recognized or metabolized by our body. Unchecked, this can lead to Toxic Burden.

A key factor in reaching optimal health, longevity and weight control is prevention by not doing the unhealthy things. On a physical level, this includes reducing our toxic load in order to support optimal immunity, organ health and cellular function so that we are more resilient to stress and inflammation.

The three easiest areas to reduce daily toxins are

food, personal care and cleaning products.

When it comes to food, think CLEAN.

It’s great to eat right, begin now to upgrade your food choices. Look for…

Grass Fed, Grass Finished – the only way you can get better is if you raise your own herd.
No Hormone or Anti-biotics – there is a saying, you are what you eat eats. Some scientists think that rampant hormone use is what is causing such high numbers of reproductive disorders, like man boobs and early onset puberty.
Organic, Non-GMO and Local – check out your local farmers market, join a CSA or even grow your own.

When it comes to skin and hair care, think FREE.

Remove toxic skin and hair care products from your home.
Look for and choose products that are free of the chemicals listed in the image at the top. I use a fluoride free, essential oil based toothpaste, skin and hair care.
Subscribe to EWG, Environment Working Group, newsletter. This is a secret weapon for reducing daily toxic burden.

When it comes cleaning the house, think GREEN.

All it takes is a few simple items and spectacular essential oils and you will have the cleanest, best smelling and healthiest home on the block.

Photo Credit: Bigstock 60927968

Because I’ve used essential oils since 2005 for my health, skin, and home care, I only use and recommend pure, certified, and therapeutic essential oils. Send me an email to get my Easy DIY NON Toxic Home Care Recipe Tip Sheet

Leaving a healthy legacy is more important than having a healthy legacy.

Make an intention to leave a healthy legacy, regardless of the legacy passed to you. Because as we build a legacy for optimal health, through our actions we become healthier by modeling healthy choices for our family, children and community. We can actually undo and allow the body to restore a great deal of wellness just by changing our actions.

There are three fundamental steps for creating a healthier, more vibrant you so you will have a healthy legacy.

Remember, the foundation of optimal health and wellness begins with the food we eat.

Proper food, aka fuel, for our body allows us to let go of insane, grueling workouts so we can exercise appropriately, in order to maintain a healthy weight.

The essential key to anti-aging, longevity and vitality is appropriate sleep and rest. It is when we sleep that our cells repair, our energy restores and our organs rejuvenate.

The forth step, reducing your toxic load, is a powerful way to change the world because you are showing your family, children and friends a gentler, more effective and sustainable way to live.

Tell me…

What simple, easy action will you take this week to reduce your toxic load?

Links and resources.

Essential Oils http://rommykirby.com/essential-oils/
Free Essential Oil Handbook r ommykirby.myoilproducts.com/
Local Harvest http://localharvest.org/
Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/

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A Healthy Legacy

Rommy Kirby — Mon, 26 May 2014 20:22:02 +0000

We all have a legacy. In fact, we have several. When we go the our medical providers, we give them our health history and the legacy of health handed down to us. When we create a family of our own, we bring traditions, beliefs and habits that are from our family and heritage, that’s legacy. We each have been given spiritual legacy, emotional legacy, physical legacy and even financial legacy.

Sometimes, legacy is wonderful and we are really proud of it, like me in the case of my military legacy. Sometimes, legacy is scary and causes us fear and worry, especially when it is health related.

When it comes to your health legacy, things like diabetes, obesity, depression, high blood pressure, and cancer tend to stand out, cause a great deal of stress and get lots of attention. But, did you know that while these conditions may be part of your health legacy, they do not have to be a part of your future. They certainly don’t have to be part of your children’s health legacy.

You’ve probably heard the adage, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.

Those 10 words can have a positive impact on your health.

Prevention is key to changing your health, it is the foundational to radiant optimal wellness.

6 Foundational Steps For Prevention

EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR BODY

Sometimes I day dream about having my own personal chef to create the foods I need at the time I need them, to me, that would make life so much simpler!

Eating right can be a challenge. Bread may not upset your tummy, but may your husbands. Grains may help your sister rock her marathon but you get headaches and hot flashes. Dairy may give you zits but your neighbor thrives on it. And sugar…well absolutely none of us are any better with it and it makes all of us look older, just give it up to be your radiant best.

How can you eat right when you don’t even know if you can trust your food?

Avoid fast food like the plague!
Eat more foods that look like it came out of the ground, off a vine or a tree.
Eat fewer things that come with an expiration label because it’s not ‘real’ food.

Even though we are 99.9% alike, that .1% will make all the difference in your health. Eat for to support your body, not a dogma or philosophy or belief system, so that you can experience optimal wellness.

EXERCISE APPROPRIATELY

As a yogi, I do believe that yoga is good for everyone. But…not everyone should do the same yoga.

Not everyone should run.

Not everyone should lift weights.

Find a fitness pursuit that you love. One that makes you happy you did it. One that your body craves.

I have a few public yoga videos, click here to check them out.

REST TO BUILD STRESS RESILIENCY

Are you a person that brags about how little sleep you get? Do you brag that you can stay up until the wee hours of the morning and still be chipper the next day?

When I was in my 20’s I could stay out all night long, not sleep and still feel great the next day. I thought beauty sleep was over rated. Now, solidly in my 40’s, I can tell it makes a huge difference.

Sleep is when our body heals and rejuvenates. (did you see that…rejuvenate actually means make young) Without sleep, we become grumpy, our immune system is challenged and it is harder to make sound choices.

REDUCE YOUR TOXIC LOAD

…click here to read more

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Protected: Do your supplements pass the smell test?

Rommy Kirby — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:35:11 +0000

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3 Elegant Holiday Strategies

Rommy Kirby — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 20:20:57 +0000

I love Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years!

But these celebrations, long nights and short days can make for one really long, stressed out holiday season that can set us up for blues and flu. Bah-humbug and Yuck!

Because I know how brutal stress can be, the havoc it can wreak on your health, your skin, and your relationships so I want to share with you my Holiday Survival Kit.

First, there are 3 elegant strategies……that will help you enjoy this holiday season more, however you celebrate and what ever you do.

These are simple, easy, action steps.

But here’s the thing…they are just as easy not to do, okay, so you really must set an intention to keep it easy, do the easy and reap the benefits.

Stay Hydrated. You know I harp on this, I know I harp on this. For very good reason. Here’s what happened to me a few weeks when I let travel get the best of me and didn’t stay hydrated. I got a migraine…a full blown, throw my guts up, everything hurts migraine. Because I was so dehydrated, it took me a few days to fully recover. Click here for my tips.

Get enough sleep. Seriously, sleep is important. There is truth in the term Beauty Sleep. Click here for my tips.

Lighten your load. Look at your to do list for today. Chances are there is at least 1 thing you can take off. Delete it, scratch it off and don’t give it another thought. No one will ever know and if your mother finds out, she’ll forgive you.

Remember chronic stress adds pounds and inches to the waistline and it weakens our immune system. Because of the added stress, we all need a little more support and self care this time of year.

Tell me…

What is your #1 tip to thriving during the holiday season?

The post 3 Elegant Holiday Strategies first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Simple, Immune Boosting & Skin Nourishing Detox Tip

Rommy Kirby — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:05:58 +0000

You know how when the weather changes, and your skin gets drab, ashy and flaky?

Do you know why that happens?

General wisdom says it’s because that air forced through the vents is dry. Dry air moving across the skin dries it in the same way that air moving across a lake causes evaporation.

Makes sense, right? It did to me until I started studying alternative health care like Ayurveda and nutrition. The explanation is true, at least partially.

There is a more colorful story than that…

According to Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, our bodies move in concert with nature. Like it or not, our bodies experience weather changes, changes with the moon and sun cycles and changes of the seasons.

Take a moment, think about how stiff you felt last time there was a dramatic change in temperature or the restless energy you had on that sleepless full moon night.

That was your body responding to the cycles and shifts of nature. Your body is it’s own ecosystem within the greater ecosystem of nature.

To get a better idea of what is happening, let’s take a basic look at what nature does as she swings, shifts and slides from season to season. (science geek warning – this is a major over simplification!)

As summer becomes autumn, nature begins to let go of her green. The leaves dry and fall away.

Autumn’s wind blows the leaves until they blanket the ground spreading future nourishment.

Winter’s cold, damp days break down the leaves creating new soil.

Spring pulls the nutrients up to create buds, flowers, and seeds.

Spring blossoms float away to reveal summer’s supple bounty of fruits and vegetables.

Start to think of your body as an ecosystem with rhythms that flow in harmony with nature.

Think of it this way, if the atmosphere is the biggest organ of nature, then your skin is the largest organ of your personal ecosystem.

The big difference is that we tend to protect ourselves, our skin, from the elements of blowing wind, bitter cold and intense heat. The trick, then, is for us to stay in harmony with the cycles of nature so we can enjoy optimal health or even regain lost health.

The flaky, dry, and ashy skin needs to be sloughed off. The longer we experience life, the less we our skin naturally releases the dried dead skin cells.

This one, simple, and ancient tip will help your skin look more radiant, luscious. It will boost your immunity and cellular turnover, perhaps even help get rid of cellulite.

Dry (Skin) Brushing

Skin brush for supple healthy skin.

Your lymph system lives under the surface of your skin. It is responsible for cleaning the body of toxins and transporting white blood cells. You have more lymph fluid in your body than blood, but it doesn’t have a pump.

Because your lymph channels are thinner than a hair, to manipulate your lymph system, use a gentle touch and a soft brush.

Though it may sound weird, skin brushing is an ancient technique, used in many cultures for hygiene and optimal health.

Here’s how…

First, get a skin brush. I use the brushes in the picture. I took the handles off the softest back brushes I could find. You don’t need two brushes, I just like having one in each hand, one brush is all you need.

Remember that your lymph channels are very thin, use a light, soft touch.
Using a dry brush on dry skin, start at the top of your body, the neck.
Brush the palms of your hands, the inside and outside of your arms.
Be sure to brush your arm pits as well, (lots of luscious lymph nodes there).
You can gently brush your breasts in circular direction, but be sure to avoid the nipples.
Always brush towards your heart. Brush every bit of skin you can reach, remembering to move towards the heart.
When you get below the heart, move the brush in an upwards direction.
On your belly, move in a clockwise direction.
Spend a little extra time on those areas that look stagnate or have a bit more cellulite.
Then take a wonderful shower or detox bath.
Drink lots of water!

How often and when to Dry Brush?

At the minimum, with every change of season.

At the beginning, middle, and end of every cleanse or detox.

If you want to boost your immunity, at least once a month. Choose to do it around the moon cycles, like every full or new moon.

If you want more radiant, supple skin, once a week.

Benefits my clients see…

Increased immunity. (oo-la-la! healthy is the new sexy!)
Decreased appearance of cellulite. (who doesn’t want that)
Increase appreciation for your body beautiful, your soul house. (what you appreciate, appreciates)
Decreased stress. (you can be radically radiant)
Supple younger looking skin. (without toxic chemical creams)

My personal tip…

I learned from Nadine Artemis, holistic natural skin guru, to put a drop of essential oil in the palm of my hand and run the brush through it before starting.

This takes the dry skin brushing in the realms of an artful self care ritual.

I like to use, Lavender and Frankincense primarily, but will sometimes use Sandalwood, Bergomot or Ylang Ylang depending on my mood.

Tell me…

What is your favorite skin care ritual?

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The Smart Person’s Guide to Water – Stop The Every 20 Minute Pee Break Cycle

Rommy Kirby — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:43:44 +0000

Stop the “Every 20 Minute Pee Breaks”

courtesy of signicturesdotnet

You know irritating it is…

…you get ready to leave your house and you think ‘oops, what if traffic is bad’. So you stop, turn around and head to the toilet just to be sure.

…or how about when you’re on that deadline, and , you’ve been sipping water all day to keep you brain functioning at optimal…but…grrr…have to pee AGAIN!

…you’ve been on hold for 30 minutes and finally reached a real, live person…and bummer, you have to ring off to use the loo

…and most irritating…you’re just about to drop into the land of nod and, suddenly…‘no, surely not, no, I’ll make it through the night, oh yeah, I better get up and go pee’…you throw the covers back, leave your comfy spot and stumble to the toilet with half closed eyes hoping you will be able to fall back to sleep.

It happens to all of us. Especially, when we are focused on health, cleansing, weight release, optimal brain function or anti-aging.

All the experts tell us, drink water. Drink half your weight in ounces as a maintenance level. It’s so easy to give up on ever being well hydrated because all those pee breaks seem to eat away time.

Try this trick for staying optimally hydrated for optimal brain function, high productivity and H2-Obviously Better Skin.

Chunk It

Just like you chunk together errands and tasks, drink your water in chunks throughout the day.

Sipping water all day will make you need to pee every 20 – 30 minutes. Your hard working kidneys will feel like they are running a marathon every single day because they don’t get a chance to recover.

Instead, drink your room temp or warmer water in 16-24 ounce chunks 3-4 times a day.

Drink 16-24 ounces of water in 3 – 10 minutes for optimal results.

Benefits

kidneys will begin to flush out sediment
digestion will be stronger
increased productivity because of fewer pee breaks
better brain function because its easier to stay hydrated
boosts immunity
decreases inflammation
speeds recovery and healing

Optimal times to drink

Upon rising ~ Drink 24 ounces of water within 10 minutes of waking because your body is dehydrated when you wake up.
1 hour before meals ~ This will help to stimulate peristalsis in the digestive system without diluting precious digestive juices.
2 hours before bed ~ No one wants to wake up to pee. Take control and plan to avoid it and you will be able to process water through by bedtime.
1 hour before workout ~ Do this and you may not have to carry water or stop for that water break…unless you are over exercising…in that case, consider working with your body instead of against it.

BONUS Daily Detox Tip
Add a drop of lemon essential oil for added detox support. If you’re using essential oils, be sure that you have the best quality. Send me an email and I’ll tell you the oils I trust.

Tell Me Beautiful…

How much water to you drink a day? What is your best hydration tip?

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3 Simple Upgrades to Improve Your Diet

Rommy Kirby — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 01:54:58 +0000

Are you

ready to

upgrade

your

health?

Your body is pretty awesome! It’s also as elegant in it’s simplicity as it is intriguing in its complexity. An absolutely lovely work of experiential art.

It always responds perfectly…to whatever we give it.

If we give it higher quality food and nourishment today than we did yesterday, on a continual basis, it will respond with increased energy and vitality, until we reach our optimal health.

Here’s where ‘responds perfectly’ isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. Because the same is true if we give it lower quality food. It will respond with bloat, sinus drainage, stiff muscles and joints along with mental fog, energy dumps and fatigue. Until eventually, we are in a constant state of decline into disease.

So…if overtime we continually give it higher and higher quality food and nourishment, it will give us greater vibrancy, increased energy and more radiant skin, eyes and hair. It doesn’t have to be hard, just take baby steps to upgrade your health.

Commit to your health. Allow yourself to upgrade one step at a time so your lifestyle will support the long term results you desire.

Here are 3 Simple Upgrades you can make in your food choices…*

If the majority of your food comes in a crinkly wrapper or box, upgrade to canned food.
If the majority of your food comes from cans, upgrade to frozen fruits and vegetables.
If the majority of your food comes from the freezer aisle, upgrade to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bonus Upgrade – For every 3 meals that come from restaurants and drive thrus, upgrade to at least one additional home cooked meal a week.

*Choose Organic whenever available to you.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Changing your lifestyle is the way you improve your health and get the results you want.

Change, even desired change, is challenging and sometimes stressful. Decide to do just one thing today that you know will move you towards the body and health you desire.

Tell me, comment below…what did you like best about this article? What upgrade will you make today that will bring you one step closer to the result you want? What is the biggest challenge you face when you start a new health or fitness plan?

Previous Comments (7)

I love the upgrades you offered. Taking one step at a time and trying not to be so hard with ourselves!

Thank you, Keren! Being hard on ourselves is a symptom of overwhelm, right? When I start in on that, I know it’s time to get back to taking just one step at a time…life really isn’t a Hop Scotch game even though we play it like that.

I believe I’m in category 3. I would love to upgrade to relying less and less on frozen foods. This week I plan on trying a new fresh vegetable that I normally don’t make! My biggest challenge is usually time management and fitting in the extra cooking time.

That is a wonderful plan Shawne! What are you going to make? My new vegetable this week was a Rutabaga. Wasn’t sure about it, it tasted close to a turnip, but I did like it. And, yeah, I get the time management with the extra cooking. I try to bulk prep as much as possible.

Such great advice

WOW! Thank you Rachel! Sooooo glad you stopped by!

I love your advice – impactful, yet direct and one step at a time approach makes things like big dietary changes seem not so big!

I agree, Aliza. I’ve struggled with sweeping changes and just ended up frustrated. One step at a time suits me, and my clients so much better! xo

I love the concept of the ‘upgrade’. We can all apply it somewhere in our eating!

Thanks Marie! Traveling with my hubby has really opened my eyes to the value of ‘upgrades’.

Awesome. I like the 3 simple upgrades

Thanks so much, Richard.

Great advice from an amazing woman and Health Coach, Rommy it was a pleasure training with you. You are an inspiration. Lucie.

Reply by Rommy Kirby on Fri, 08/30/2013 – 04:01

OH LUCY! Thank you so much! It is a blessing to be sharing this purpose with you!

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