Why I Fell in Love with Holistic Health and Wellness

As a child, I battled with asthma and a few allergy issues. Sports and activities didn’t always come easy, and it seemed like every soap or lotion I tried gave me hives. Into adulthood I saw dermatologists and general practitioners for skin conditions, GI upset, abdominal pain, etc. No one ever really gave me with the answers I needed. A great deal has been discovered about food, holistic health, and clean beauty routines the last decade. I’ve never been tech savvy, but I am a scientist by nature. Years ago, when my physician diagnosed me with IBS, something just didn’t sit right with me.

Finding a cure

The year I turned 30 I started keeping a food diary. I kept removing foods and keeping a log of how I felt. When I removed dairy for a few days, the light bulb went off. It was practically instantaneous.

I was lactose intolerant. No more running to the bathroom during movies, dinners with friends or airplane rides. My husband no longer came to check on me, knowing full well that I was in excruciating pain.

The diagnosis was equally a relief and a grieving process. With every passing day I missed having dairy products. I wanted cheese platters at wineries, clam chowder in New England, gelato in Italy and pizza at every kids birthday party. It came down to one simple decision. I felt good, no, I felt amazing, when I kept my diet free of any products containing lactose.

Holistic Health

Discovering my food sensitivity was just the beginning. I wanted to know about Ayurvedic medicine, clean living and holistic health. Western medicine can be so limiting. First you get a diagnosis, then a prescription. No individualized care and medicine becomes a one size fits all experience.

As a nurse, I know first hand that medications are important and necessary for acute conditions, infections, trauma or emergencies. The problems arise when someone has a chronic medical condition such as an autoimmune disorder. The drug list might grow considerably longer. Medications don’t cure the disorder, they only mask the symptoms.

Learning about food and what can help heal your body. Opening your mind and accepting different viewpoints. Respecting your body and loving it just as it is. You have dialogue in your own mind all day long. How kind are you when you talk to yourself?

Self Care

Stress in our lives is another culprit of dysfunctional health. It wreaks havoc on our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Life happens, and stress cannot always be avoided. Taking care of yourself though; you have complete control over that.

Starting a wellness journey might sound hard. The first step is usually the hardest right. Just making the decision to care for yourself, that’s a fabulous first step. We all start in different places. Maybe you know nothing about your body and how your systems work together. Or perhaps you have medical knowledge, but don’t take the time to focus on you.

Herbal teas, aromatherapy and plant based beauty all sound silly to some. My husband looks in our cupboards and asks where my witchcraft potions are (essential oils which he hates to admit work)!

Long before this pandemic, I put a lot of time and effort into holistic health and wellbeing of my family. I want to know where our food is sourced. I want to know how to clean with products that won’t irritate my asthma. Are the beauty products we use non-toxic and cruelty-free?

Discovering Monat

There was a period in 2017 where I discovered large bald spots on my head. Again I sought the medical advice of a dermatologist, but he only offered me painful cortisone injections into my scalp. No thanks, I’ll start looking into other treatments.

I was introduced to an incredible new company, Modern Nature. All of my hair began growing back. I loved the products and signed up as an Independent Market Partner. Social selling didn’t speak to me though. I wanted to use the products solely for myself and my family.

A new passion project

In the fall of 2020, my husband and I were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary on a romantic getaway. We were sitting outside having dinner one night, and my phone jingled. I checked it to make sure it wasn’t about my daughter.

Nope only a nice thank you text message from one of my sister-in-laws. I had made a few recommendations based on her new diagnosis of Celiac disease. After I told him what the message was about, he made the funniest statement. “You know babe, you’re always sharing information or giving advice to people. You should do something with that!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “do what?” He really didn’t know what he was suggesting, but I finally did. I realized I could start a wellness blog. The thing was, I had no idea how to do it. I already have a nursing job, and I’m a mother. Not to mention as a fire wife I often spend 48-72 hours at a time without my spouse.

It was too late though, the seed had been planted. My husband has more confidence in me than anyone I’ve ever known. He was right (damn I hate that), I really could do something to help others.

I’ve always been a caregiver. I went into healthcare with the grand plan of being a physician, but let’s face it, that’s a rough job. Instead I followed my mother’s footsteps into nursing. I have worked in labor and delivery for my entire career (15 years to date). Nursing is a beautiful way to earn a living, but empowering women, that’s what really drives me. This blog will give me the outlet to share what I know, what I care about and how I can support you on your personal wellness journey.

My favorite blog posts to get started here:

25 Easy Healthy Habits to Feel Better Now

How To Lead A More Satisfying And Fulfilling Life

Love Your Body Without Dieting