The Nurse Philosopher with Answers

Kathy Oddenino may be the best kept secret in the world. She explains the nervous system, and the basics of disease, health and healing from her spiritual consciousness since she was a two-year-old, her own healing, and her long nursing career.

Discussing Tragedy and Mental Health with Kids. Are we doing this?

I have had a tough time thinking of what to write the past few days.

But, every time a headline or an update pops up about the Aurora, CO shooting I want to know more details revealing who this boy was.  So, this is what is weighing on my mind this week.

2012 Non-Toxic Summer Skin Care Series - L.c. of acirema - Non-Toxic Skin Care

I wanted to bring this 2012 Non-Toxic Summer Skin Care Series to your attention!  Jessica over at Delicious Obsessions launched her first in the series today with a giveaway!  I have not found a brand of non-toxic skin care that I want to be "my brand" yet and this series (and giveaway), I am certain, will help me resolve this issue.

Click on the image above or the link to learn more about these wonderful products made in the Rockies and enter to win this giveaway!

Using Superfoods in Recipes, Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Fudge

I had a great time yesterday at yesterday's Health & Harmony Herb Festival out at Red Road Herb Farm.  It was great to see people come together at this wonderful event to explore avenues to health through healing herbs and natural methods in rural Nebraska.  We are so agriculturally skilled here, but many have forgotten the ways our grandparents used to do things.  I'm so encouraged to see a revival of a real health movement going on around here. 

At a time when we are discussing "health care" the best health care, in my opinion, is discussing the symbiotic system that is our health and taking charge of our own health by not relying on medicine, which will never cure an illness, only mask symptoms. 

Attendees could visit with different vendors, eat lunch prepared by a talented local chef, listen to drumming, watch belly dancers.  I arrived on site with a dead battery, so I wasn't able to capture this beautiful place, but visit them on Facebook at the link above, where she has many gorgeous pictures of the event, the herb farm and all there is to offer. 

10 Things I Love

1.)  My kids.  I never would have dreamed I'd be this mama bear that I am.  But, I love these kids with some fierceness.  I want to be with them always and take them nearly everywhere that I go.  They are just the most amazing lights of my life.

2.)  Passion.  The feeling of being alive, loving and believing in what I'm doing in those few  moments you get in life.  And if you are aware enough to be paying attention to them, even better.

3.)  The hum of appliances.  The dishwasher, washer or dryer.  It's a small reminder and  reassurance that I have had at least a couple of productive housekeeping moments. It's comforting to know those noises mean something is getting clean!

4.)  Spirituality.  Accepting that I am a spiritual being having a human experience and ever learning.  Open to not having blind faith, so much as faith that anything is possible.  Open to listening when I am being called.  Working on believing that aside from love, most everything in life is trivial.  I have had dying people say so to me and I believe them.

5.)  Ice Cream.  Vanilla and Pistachio are the mots, but I don't think there is any flavor that I would turn down.  This childhood treat reminds me of hot summer days and my grandpa stopping by the nearest place that would give us a vanilla cone that we'd take with us while we were riding around.

Learning How Not To Be A Fake (To Myself!)

So, you may have noticed a lot of changes going on around here.  Most notably the name of this blog and you'll find there is actually an About Me now.  I've also changed some of my blogging goals, because I think I'm actually going to pursue working more in the healing arts.  This is something that I have wanted to do since I was in college.  But, for one reason or another, I felt discouraged or that people weren't supportive of this line of work for me.

I didn't value my own happiness as much then, being fresh off my teens and I  knew I was TOTALLY selfish as any teen is, so I heeded the advice of the adults and friends who said they "never heard of anyone doing that" or that they "liked that I was getting a four-year degree, better."

I am not a fake person.  Except to myself, it seems.

5+ Ways to Help Make Drinking Your Water More Exciting!

Usually my water consumption is a no-brainer on 100+ degree, Nebraska summer days.  But, this year, I find that I am struggling with my water intake.  I do drink 6 glasses/day of straight water, but add that to my 3-4 very large cups of coffee each morning and I think it all cancels out.

Why water?

• It helps to curb your appetite.  Do you get cravings?  Maybe you aren't hungry, but thirsty or dehydrated.

• It also purifies and detoxes your organs, the largest of them being your skin.

I'd like to receive the optimal amount of both of these benefits.  The closer to nature the better, no artificial colors or flavors, and capitalizing on what this season has the best of. 

I've compiled some great recipes I have found on making your own vitamin water, flavored water and herbal teas.

Enjoy!

  Credit: A Life Balanced