Especially for a loved one. Hannah’s father had an opportunity to show his love and eliminate his daughter’s pain as she recovered from major hip surgery.

A Father’s Need to Make His Daughter Comfortable

This is Bill’s story:

In the summer of 2000, my daughter and myself found out that the pain in her left hip during physical education class was dysplasia, a partial dislocation. After seeing the X-rays and the procedure to correct this, I was immediately concerned. The only procedure offered to correct this problem was to surgically fracture or cut the pelvis in three places, then pin it back together with no cast or brace to support the now multiple fractured pelvis.

However, if she didn’t have this surgery, there was a good chance she would be in a wheelchair by the time she was 20 years old. She was only 14, so we decided to go ahead and do it.

After surgery, as I expected, she was in a great deal of pain. Problems surfaced immediately recovering from the anesthesia, then vomiting with every morphine injection. Relief wasn’t coming quick enough. The second night after surgery, I remembered a Jin Shin Jyutsu® procedure Sharron taught us that was supposed to relieve pain.

I asked Hannah if she wanted to try it.

We had nothing to lose.

Hannah agreed.

The procedure is called the “finger/toe hold”. This hold uses all the fingers and toes in opposition. I held her big toe on her left foot and held her little finger on her right hand.

Every two minutes or so, I moved through all her toes and fingers. In doing the “finger/toe hold” a pulsing sensation occurred between my hand and her finger or her toe. This told me that I had made contact and completed the circuit.

The first time through the technique, Hannah relaxed and was calmer. The second time through, she fell asleep, for a few hours.

For the first time in two days she slept, without pain. Hannah toughed out the pain most of the time, but whenever she asked for the “finger/toe thing” she always fell asleep.

For whatever reason this worked to relieve her pain, without the nasty side effects that the drugs were giving her. Rest came easier. She was even able to get off her pain medication sooner, much to the surprise of the nurses.

Thank you Sharron for making this most difficult situation controllable when it seemed out of control – this worked! ---Hannah’s grateful father

Fingers and Toes Hold

Take your left hand and hold the person’s right thumb- wrap your hand snugly but not too tight around their thumb. Take your right hand and hold their left little toe. Proceed through each digit, holding about 2 minutes or until there is a steady pulsing sensation in each digit. Do this till all 10 digits have been held.

Move to the left thumb holding with your right hand and right little toe with your left hand. Do the same sequence as above. May be repeated several times if necessary.

Want to learn more about Jin Shin Jyutsu and are looking for more simple, nature-inspired ways to reduce stress and support your well-being, Calm Where Ever You Go- Simple Hand Holds To Soothe Stress, Settle the Body and Restore Ease offers a Self-Help Guide.

Subscribe to receive new travel stories, healing insights, and discoveries from across the Four Corners region directly in your inbox.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

After years of studying natural health and experimenting with different approaches, I’ve come to believe that the healthiest cleanse isn’t something you do for seven days — it’s something you practice every day.

Our bodies are remarkably equipped to care for themselves. The liver, kidneys, digestive system, lungs, and skin work around the clock to process and eliminate waste. Rather than relying on extreme programs, we can support these natural processes through consistent daily habits that nourish the body, calm the mind, and encourage overall well-being.

Here are ten gentle ways to make cleansing a year-round lifestyle.

1. Nourish Your Gut with Probiotics

A healthy digestive system begins with a balanced gut microbiome. Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and naturally fermented vegetables provide beneficial bacteria that support digestion and immune function.

If fermented foods aren’t part of your regular meals, a quality probiotic supplement may also be worth considering after discussing it with your healthcare provider. Consistency is far more important than perfection.

2. Prioritize Restorative Sleep

Sleep is one of the most overlooked forms of self-care.

During sleep, your body repairs tissues, regulates hormones, consolidates memories, and supports countless essential functions. When we’re well-rested, we tend to make healthier food choices, manage stress more effectively, and simply feel better.

Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night and create an evening routine that helps your mind unwind before bed.

3. Begin Your Morning with Hydration

One of the simplest habits you can adopt is drinking a large glass of water shortly after waking.

Many people enjoy adding fresh lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar for flavor. Others include fresh ginger or aloe vera juice. While these ingredients aren’t magic cures, they can make hydration more enjoyable and encourage healthy digestion.

The important habit isn’t finding the perfect recipe — it’s beginning your day well hydrated.

4. Make Green Smoothies Part of Your Routine

One habit that transformed my own wellness routine was drinking green smoothies.

I began making them years ago and was pleasantly surprised by how much better I felt after only a few weeks. My energy became more consistent, I experienced fewer afternoon cravings, and getting enough leafy greens suddenly became effortless.

Green smoothies are one of the quickest ways to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. They’re rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that support overall health, and because everything is blended together, they’re convenient for busy mornings.

One of my favorite combinations includes:

• 1 apple

• ½ avocado

• ½ cucumber

• A generous handful of spinach or mixed greens

• 1 cup water

• Optional additions: fresh ginger, flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp hearts, or collagen peptides

Blend until smooth and enjoy immediately.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different greens. Spinach, kale, romaine, parsley, cilantro, and even beet greens all bring their own unique flavors and nutrients.

If you want to experiment more check out, Victoria Boutenko’s book, Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Towards Natural Health.

5. Fill Your Plate with Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, collard greens, and bok choy are nutritional powerhouses.

These vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and naturally occurring plant compounds that support overall health. The easiest way to enjoy their benefits is simply to include a serving with lunch or dinner most days of the week.

6. Try Dry Brushing

Dry brushing has become one of my favorite morning rituals.

Using a natural-bristle brush before showering gently exfoliates the skin while stimulating circulation. Whether or not you embrace all of the traditional wellness claims surrounding dry brushing, there’s no denying that it feels wonderfully invigorating and leaves your skin soft and refreshed.

Using light, circular strokes toward the heart for a few minutes each morning can be an enjoyable addition to your self-care routine.

7. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day

Water supports nearly every system in the body.

Proper hydration aids digestion, helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints, and supports normal cellular function. If plain water feels boring, try adding slices of lemon, cucumber, berries, or fresh mint.

Small habits — like carrying a reusable water bottle — often make the biggest difference.

8. Let Go of Stress

Wellness isn’t only about what we eat.

Emotional clutter deserves attention, too.

At the end of each day, spend a few quiet moments reflecting. Write down something that made you smile, something that challenged you, and something you’re ready to release.

This simple journaling practice creates space for gratitude while helping you process difficult emotions instead of carrying them into tomorrow.

9. Eat Plenty of Fiber

Fiber is one of the true heroes of digestive health.

Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, oats, and whole grains all provide fiber that supports healthy digestion, nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, and helps you feel satisfied after meals.

Whenever possible, choose whole foods instead of relying solely on fiber supplements.

10. Give Your Digestion a Rest

Some people find that finishing dinner a little earlier and allowing a 12- to 14-hour overnight break before breakfast fits naturally into their routine.

This isn’t about deprivation. It’s simply giving your digestive system time to complete its work before the next meal. As with any dietary change, this approach isn’t appropriate for everyone, so listen to your body and consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.

Wellness Is Built One Day at a Time

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that lasting health rarely comes from dramatic changes.

It comes from the small choices we make over and over again.

Drink more water.

Eat another serving of greens.

Take a walk.

Get to bed a little earlier.

Pause for a few deep breaths before reacting to stress.

These simple habits may not seem revolutionary on their own, but together they create a lifestyle that supports energy, resilience, and long-term wellness.

Instead of waiting for January to begin again, start with one habit today. Your future self will thank you.

If you’re looking for more simple, nature-inspired ways to reduce stress and support your well-being, Finding Calm in the Southwest- A Collection of Guides and Practices offers calming hand holds from Jin Shin Jyutsu, peaceful Southwest destinations, and practical wellness practices you can take wherever life leads.

When combined with a diet rich in the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K-2 and devoid of mineral-stealing anti-nutrients, homemade tooth powder recipes like these can transform your dental health.

Transforming your dental health is not an overnight fix. Therefore, if you are experiencing any tooth pain right now. Download my FREE guide, 3 Natural Solutions to Control Tooth and Gum Pain.

What is Tooth Powder?

Tooth powder is mixture of a variety of ingredients to replace toothpaste as a cleaning substance. It often contains baking soda, herbs like cloves, mint, or cinnamon, and an artificial sweetener for taste.

Although the use of tooth powder has regained in popularity recently, it’s not just another trendy home remedy. According to How Stuff Works, it actually dates back to ancient history as an important part of dental care.

Origin of Tooth Power

The first use of tooth powder dates back thousands of years to the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and Romans. Even before Cleopatra was around, the people of Egypt kept their teeth clean with powders or pastes made from burnt eggshells mixed with pumice and the power of ox hooves’ ashes.

The Chinese added herbs, salt, and ginseng to enhance the cleaning properties and taste of the powder. Greeks and Romans used crushed bones and oyster shells to make a grittier powder. To prevent bad breath, the Romans also added powdered bark and charcoal to their teeth cleaner.

Around 1000 A.D., the Persians realized the danger of overly abrasive tooth powders that cause tooth damage. So they created a milder substance using burnt snail shells, herbs, and honey.

In the 18th century, Britain was the first to market tooth powder. Baking soda was usually the key component, and they added more abrasive substances like brick dust, earthenware, and cuttlefish to thoroughly polish teeth.

From Powder to Paste

By the early 19th century, two other important ingredients were added to common tooth powder: Borax for a foaming effect, and glycerin turning the powder into a paste. This made the product easier to use and added a more cleansing effect. Later on, toothpaste was put into collapsible tubes and contained fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel. Thus, toothpaste as we know it today was born.

Reasons to Switch to Tooth Powder

Today, most store-bought toothpastes contain glycerin, which has actually been shown to weaken tooth enamel over the long-term. That’s because it layers the teeth with a film that prevents the minerals in your saliva from interacting with your tooth enamel.

By using a tooth powder, you can leave out the fluoride and glycerin and instead pack your homemade tooth powder with the minerals your tooth enamel needs. You can also add goodies like xylitol (which has been shown to prevent cavities), and cinnamon and clove oils (which have been used in India to heal cavities for centuries). Below are 3 recipes for either buying or mixing your own tooth powder.

Recipe #1

If you don’t want to mess with making your own tooth powder, Orawellness offers their revolutionary tooth powder, “Shine”. It’s already mixed and ready to go for you.

However, I prefer Their Do-it-yourself (DIY) recipe if you want to make your own :)

Recipe #2

Better than Toothpaste Powder

Ingredients:

4 tbsp. Bentonite Clay

2 tsp. Baking soda

3/4 Activated Charcoal

1 or 2 drops of flavor enhancers (such as clove, cinnamon, peppermint)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a clean glass jar. I like to use a baby food jar. To use, pour a little amount on the palm of your non-dominant hand, wet your toothbrush and dip lightly onto your hand to coat the brush and brush away.

I tend to switch back and forth between this mixture and Recipe one tooth powder I mention above.

Recipe #3 by Kristen Michaels

Most of these ingredients can be found through VitaCost. Vitacost offers all the top, most trusted brands for vitamins, supplements, and whole foods, but at discount prices.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. bentonite clay (where to buy bentonite clay powder)

• 3 Tbsp. xylitol powder (where to buy xylitol)

• 4 Tbsp. coconut oil, warmed to liquid

• 20 drops cinnamon essential oil

• 20 drops clove essential oil

• 30 drops Concentrate trace minerals (where to buy trace mineral drops)

• 3 Tbsp. water (possibly more)

Directions:

Thankfully, I have a stainless steel blade on my food processor, so I have no qualms using my food processor to make this homemade toothpaste recipe.

Bentonite clay can act like a magnet attracting positively charged heavy metals from your utensils, so you only want it to come into contact with a truly stable metal like stainless steel (which is used to mine the clay).

1. Place all dry ingredients in the food processor and pulse until well mixed.

2. In a liquid measuring cup, mix coconut oil, essential oils, trace minerals, and water.

3. Slowly pour the liquids into your food processor while continuing to pulse. Mix until smooth; add more water if necessary to reach desired consistency.

I have tried all 3 of these tooth powders and Recipe #1 is my favorite and I use the DIY version.

Love to have your feedback on which tooth powder you liked the best!

You Might Also Enjoy:

Oil Pulling: An Ancient Practice for Healthier Gums and a Brighter Smile

Chew on This: Birch Twigs and Natural Oral Care-Discover the Ancient, Affordable, and Eco-Friendly Way to Clean Your Teeth

Healthy Gums, Healthy Body -A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness. In this hands-on program, you will discover a wealth of tools and resources to kick-start your journey toward dental self-sufficiency. Rooted in time-honored traditions and proven recovery methods, everything I share is designed to empower you.

The idea is simple: as you swish the oil around your mouth, it mixes with your saliva and helps loosen plaque, food particles, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and gums. Your mouth contains more than 700 species of bacteria, with roughly 350 present at any given time. While many are beneficial, certain harmful bacteria contribute to tooth decay, bad breath, plaque buildup, and gum disease.

The History of Oil Pulling

Known traditionally as gandusha or kavala, oil pulling has been practiced in India for centuries as part of a daily wellness routine. It became more widely known in the United States during the early 1990s when physician Dr. F. Karach introduced the practice after reporting positive experiences using it in his medical practice.

What Does the Research Say?

Most clinical studies on oil pulling have been conducted in India, where the practice originated. Although many of these studies are relatively small, the results have been encouraging.

Research suggests that oil pulling may:

• Reduce plaque buildup

• Lower levels of harmful oral bacteria

• Improve gum health

• Help reduce bad breath (halitosis)

While more large-scale studies are needed, oil pulling appears to be a helpful addition to—rather than a replacement for—good oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

Potential Benefits of Oil Pulling

For generations, oil pulling has been used as part of a daily wellness routine throughout India and Asia. People who practice it often report benefits such as:

• Healthier gums

• Fresher breath

• Reduced plaque buildup

• Whiter-looking teeth

• Less gum inflammation

• Reduced tooth sensitivity

Some practitioners also believe oil pulling supports overall wellness, although many of these broader health claims have not yet been confirmed by strong scientific evidence.

Coconut Oil or Sesame Oil?

I began oil pulling with organic, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, partly because I had already been using it as a natural facial moisturizer with excellent results.

Within a few weeks, I noticed my teeth looked whiter, felt stronger, and became much less sensitive to cold drinks and chewy foods.

Later, I learned that integrative neurologist Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary recommends using sesame oil, believing it penetrates more deeply around the gums during the pulling process.

After trying both, I personally found sesame oil seemed to improve my gum health more quickly than coconut oil. Your experience may vary, but both oils are commonly used with good results.

Does Oil Pulling Detox the Body?

One of the most common claims about oil pulling is that it “detoxifies” the body.

While oil pulling clearly helps remove bacteria, food debris, and plaque from the mouth, there is currently limited scientific evidence that it removes toxins from the bloodstream or detoxifies the entire body. However, because oral health is closely connected to overall health, maintaining a healthier mouth may contribute to better overall wellness.

How to Do Oil Pulling

Getting started is easy.

• Place 1 tablespoon of coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil into your mouth.

• Swish gently, pulling the oil between your teeth without gargling.

• Continue for 10 to 20 minutes. If you’re new to oil pulling, begin with five minutes and gradually increase your time.

• As the oil mixes with saliva, it will become thinner, milky, and creamy white.

• Spit the oil into the trash—not the sink—to help prevent clogged pipes. If you have a septic system, this is especially important.

• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.

• Use a tongue scraper or spoon to gently clean your tongue.

• Brush and floss as usual.

Oil pulling works best first thing in the morning before eating or drinking, when bacteria have accumulated overnight.

Important: Oil pulling is meant to complement—not replace—your normal brushing and flossing routine.

Why Everyone Should Oil Pull by Green Smoothie Girl

Does Oil Pulling Help Bad Breath?

This is one area where both research and many dental professionals generally agree.

By reducing the amount of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth, oil pulling can significantly improve bad breath while also helping reduce plaque buildup.

The Bottom Line

Whether you choose coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil, oil pulling is an inexpensive, natural practice that may help improve your oral health when combined with daily brushing, flossing, and a healthy, low-sugar diet.

While research is still evolving, many people—including myself—have experienced healthier gums, fresher breath, and brighter smiles after making oil pulling part of their daily routine.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to explore more natural ways to support your oral health, be sure to watch the Orawellness video on Mouth Probiotics, where you’ll learn how simply swishing your own saliva may help support your oral microbiome and create an even healthier environment inside your mouth.

Want to Go Deeper?

Curious about natural ways to support healthy gums and teeth? Click here to learn more about Healthy Gums, Healthy Body - A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness. We explore the connection between oral health and whole-body wellness, along with practical tools you can begin using right away.

Connect With Our Community

Come join the conversation and connect with others on a similar journey. Join our Facebook community, Holistic Dental Care Home Remedies, where over 1,100 members share home remedies, herbal wisdom, and practical tips for healthier gums and teeth.

Subscribe for future stories

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If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

Grandparents often find themselves stepping in during times of family crisis, especially when grandchildren enter the foster care system. Navigating custody rights and child welfare procedures can be confusing and overwhelming.

To help spread awareness of an important resource, I am sharing a Free PDF copy of:

The Custody Rights of Grandparents: A Self-Help Manual
Solutions for Grandparents Seeking Custody of Their Grandchildren Who Are in Foster Care

This Grandparents Resource book is valuable for anyone who has taken on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren. It provides practical information and guidance to help grandparents understand their rights and navigate the legal system when seeking custody of their grandchildren.

If you know a grandparent who may benefit from this resource, please feel free to share it. Sometimes the right information at the right time can make all the difference.

Self-Help Manual PDF

Subscribe for Future Stories

Subscribe to receive new travel stories, healing insights, and discoveries from across the Four Corners region directly in your inbox.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and helping connect grandparents with the information and support they need.

What if supporting your eyesight could be as simple as resting your eyes, blinking more often, breathing deeply, nourishing your body, or even laughing?

Natural vision educator Donna Gross spent much of her childhood wearing thick glasses and searching for ways to improve her eyesight. Her journey led her to the book Light: Medicine of the Future by Jacob Liberman, which transformed the way she viewed eye health and vision.

The following simple practices can help reduce eye strain, encourage relaxation, and support overall eye wellness. Even spending ten minutes a day on one or two of these techniques may leave your eyes feeling more refreshed.

The Basics

Healthy vision is influenced by many factors, including attitude, nutrition, exercise, proper rest, and exposure to natural light.

Many people experience eye fatigue from spending hours staring at screens, reading, or focusing intensely. Taking regular breaks and allowing the eyes to relax can make a noticeable difference.

One of the simplest techniques is called palming.

Palming

Palming is a gentle relaxation exercise for the eyes and nervous system.

Begin by rubbing your palms together briskly for a minute to create warmth. Then gently cup your hands over your closed eyes, allowing the heels of your palms to rest on the bones beneath the eyes while your fingers rest across your forehead.

Sit comfortably with your back straight. Some people find it helpful to sit backward in a chair and rest their elbows on the chair back for support.

As you sit in the darkness, breathe slowly and deeply. Recall a happy memory or peaceful place and allow yourself to relax into the experience. Stay there for five to ten minutes.

Many people find that palming not only relaxes their eyes but leaves their entire body feeling calmer and more refreshed.

Blinking

Blinking is one of the most overlooked tools for eye comfort.

When reading, driving, walking, or working at a computer, we often forget to blink regularly. Blinking helps lubricate the eyes, reduces strain, and encourages natural relaxation.

If you notice your eyes feeling dry or tired, take a moment to blink gently several times while moving your head naturally in the direction of whatever you’re viewing.

Supporting Eye Health from Within

Many holistic practitioners believe that overall digestive health can influence the body’s ability to function at its best, including the eyes.

Eating a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fiber helps support healthy digestion and overall wellness. Staying hydrated and minimizing heavily processed foods may also contribute to feeling more vibrant and energized.

Himalayan Salt Water Eye Bath

Some people enjoy using a mild saline rinse as a soothing eye-care ritual.

You’ll Need:

• ½ cup warm water

• ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt

• A small clean glass or eye bath cup

Dissolve the salt completely in the water. Remove any eye makeup or creams beforehand.

Place the cup gently over one eye while leaning forward. Slowly tilt your head back, allowing the solution to bathe the eye. If comfortable, open your eye and move it gently in different directions.

Repeat with the other eye.

This practice isn’t for everyone, and if you experience irritation, discontinue use immediately. Be sure to use clean water and equipment.

Fresh Juice for Eye Support

Fresh vegetable juices can be a wonderful addition to a healthy diet.

A combination of carrots, beets, and celery provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and hydration that support overall wellness. Carrots, in particular, are rich in beta-carotene, a nutrient associated with eye health.

The Importance of Sunlight

Natural light plays an important role in our overall well-being.

Many of us spend most of our days indoors under artificial lighting. Taking a few minutes each day to step outside, close your eyes, and enjoy natural sunlight can feel deeply restorative.

Sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythms, supports mood, and encourages healthy vitamin D production through the skin.

The foods we eat are also influenced by light. Fresh fruits and vegetables store energy from the sun, while highly processed foods contain far less of the nutritional vitality found in whole foods.

Consider the difference between a freshly picked apple and a piece of hard candy. One is rich in nutrients and life force; the other is largely refined sugar.

Choosing more fresh, colorful foods is one simple way to nourish both your body and your eyes.

Laughter

And finally, don’t underestimate the power of laughter.

According to the Humor Project in New York, laughing 100 times can provide benefits comparable to several minutes of moderate exercise. Whether or not you’re counting laughs, humor helps reduce stress, relax the body, and brighten your outlook.

A good laugh may not change your eyesight overnight, but it can certainly help you see life a little more clearly.

So blink often, breathe deeply, soak up some sunshine, and don’t forget to laugh.

Be seeing you.

Continuing Your Wellness Journey

• Finding Calm in the Southwest — A Collection of Guides and Practices for those of you interested in stress reduction and Jin Shin Jyutsu.

• Healthy Gums, Healthy Body- A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness This workshop is for those of you who want to continue exploring natural approaches to whole-body wellness.

Subscribe for Future Stories

Subscribe to receive new travel stories, healing insights, and discoveries from across the Four Corners region directly in your inbox.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

The Original Peace Pilgrim

The original Peace Pilgrim walked across the United States for 28 years without ever becoming seriously ill. From 1953 until her death in 1981, she traveled more than 25,000 miles, crossing the country seven times while carrying a simple yet powerful message:

“This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.”

Peace Pilgrim was a silver-haired woman who dressed simply in navy-blue slacks and a shirt with pockets sewn around the hem. In those pockets she carried all of her worldly possessions: a comb, a folding toothbrush, a pen, copies of her message, and her current correspondence.

She walked alone, penniless, and without organizational support. She often traveled through neighborhoods many people considered dangerous and slept beside roads, on park benches, or in bus stations when no bed was offered.

Always Walking for Peace

“There is no glimpse of the light without walking the path. You can’t get it from anyone else, nor can you give it to anyone. Just take whatever steps seem easiest for you, and as you take a few steps, it will be easier to take a few more.”
— Peace Pilgrim

Her message focused on peace among nations, peace between people, and, most importantly, inner peace. She vowed to remain a wanderer until humanity learned the ways of peace.

Over the years, strangers became friends, inviting her into their homes and arranging speaking engagements, often months or years in advance. During her 28-year pilgrimage, she inspired thousands of people. Those fortunate enough to meet her carried lasting memories of conversations around dinner tables, shared walks, laughter, and stories from the road.

She embodied a life of inner peace and demonstrated that true vitality can grow stronger with age rather than diminish.

Ironically, in 1981, while being driven to a speaking engagement, she was involved in a car accident and died instantly.

Adapted from “Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words,” compiled by friends of Peace Pilgrim (1982).

Peace Pilgrim Two

In August 1995, while attending an outdoor luncheon in Truckee, California, I met a soft-spoken, silver-haired man with a contagious smile. He called himself Peace Pilgrim Two.

He spoke of a simple yet abundant lifestyle that fascinated me. Wanting to learn more, I offered him a complimentary Jin Shin Jyutsu session, a form of acupressure I practiced at the time.

He explained that his journey began in 1989 when he felt called to follow in the original Peace Pilgrim’s enormous footsteps and help perpetuate her message of peace.

Although I never met Peace Pilgrim One, I felt that Peace Pilgrim Two was carrying her legacy forward. Like her, he gave away his possessions and began traveling without money.

Unfortunately, after walking nearly 2,000 miles, chronic hip pain made it impossible to continue. He had already been receiving chiropractic treatments, but the discomfort worsened until he learned he needed a hip replacement. His pilgrimage was temporarily put on hold.

Faced with surgery and uncertainty, he chose to place his trust in a Higher Power and embrace the healing journey before him.

Enjoying the Journey

During his recovery, he wrote a book titled Enjoying the Journey: The Adventures, Travels, and Teachings of Peace Pilgrim Two.

About six weeks after he began writing, a friend called and offered him a gift—a gray sedan. Word had spread that he needed transportation.

The car allowed him to travel farther, speak to more groups, and share his message with a larger audience. After all, it was the message that mattered, not the method of transportation.

I never saw him again, but I later learned that he passed away peacefully in Canada in December 2004.

One of his messages remains with me:

“Peace begins with each of us as individuals. To have outer peace, we must first have inner peace.”

Both Peace Pilgrims placed their lives completely in God’s hands and trusted they would be provided for. Their stories remind us that when we allow ourselves to be guided, God’s will can become our will, bringing a profound peace to the mind and heart.

My Own Personal Pilgrimage

My own pilgrimage has not involved giving up all of my possessions, although I have certainly been working toward living with less.

For several years, my partner and I lived and traveled in an RV. Downsizing taught me valuable lessons. Before that, while living in larger cities, I had been burglarized more than once. Eventually, I realized how little importance my material possessions truly held. Most were simply conveniences.

Many of us become attached to our belongings, believing they will bring happiness, when in reality they often become things we must maintain, protect, and worry about.

Peace Pilgrim One and Peace Pilgrim Two showed me how little we actually need to live healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. They were ordinary people who answered an extraordinary calling to serve humanity in their own unique ways.

In 1998, I lost both of my parents and my stepfather. Their deaths created a void I never knew existed, and I fell into a deep depression.

Seeking a fresh start, I moved to the White Mountains of Arizona. Employment opportunities were limited, and there were few distractions, but it proved to be the perfect environment for healing and reflection.

The quiet solitude nurtured my spirit. Whenever I felt restless, there was endless open country to explore. Fresh mountain air helped clear the cobwebs from my mind and offered space for renewal.

Like the Peace Pilgrims, I eventually surrendered my life to God and continued my spiritual journey with faith that everything I truly needed would be provided.

During those eight years in the White Mountains, I realized it was time to share my own gifts and insights with others. Remembering Peace Pilgrim’s message gave me hope and the courage to move forward.

Walking My Own Path

I may not be walking across the country as the Peace Pilgrims did, but I have found my own ways to serve.

A girlfriend and I created together the Blue Star Kachina Labyrinth in Pinetop, Arizona. Built through a community effort, the labyrinth became a meaningful gathering place and gained recognition throughout the White Mountains region.

It was also during this time that I created The Healing Channel, a labor of love devoted to sharing inspiration, holistic wellness practices, and opportunities for deeper self-discovery. More than two decades later, I am preserving that work by bringing many of those articles to my health and wellness Substack, allowing their message of healing to reach a new generation of readers.

Wherever I have lived, I have continued to share Jin Shin Jyutsu within my community.

Today, my calling still exists within the material world, but I continue to simplify my life through reducing, reusing, and recycling whenever possible.

While inner peace and self-care are essential, caring for Mother Earth is equally important. By living more consciously and compassionately, we create a more harmonious environment for everyone who shares this planet.

As Peace Pilgrim wisely said:

“To attain inner peace, you must actually give your life, not just your possessions. When you at last give your life—bringing your beliefs and the way you live into alignment—then, and only then, can you begin to find inner peace.”

Whether your pilgrimage takes you across the country or simply through the challenges of everyday life, inner peace is the most valuable companion you can carry.

That’s why I created Calm Wherever You Go, a practical Jin Shin Jyutsu self-care guide designed for travelers, seekers, and anyone navigating change. These simple hand holds can help you feel grounded, centered, and more at ease wherever the road leads.

Download your copy and begin bringing a little more peace to your journey—one breath, one touch, and one moment at a time.

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If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

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Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

Known for its distinctive cone-shaped flowers and olive-green leaves tinged with purple, Spilanthes is often grown as an ornamental plant in home gardens. When in bloom, it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while adding a unique touch to the landscape.

This low-growing perennial typically reaches about one foot in height but can spread twice as wide. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The fresh leaves are rich in minerals, vitamin C, and folate, making them a nutritious addition to the garden.

For centuries, herbal traditions have used Spilanthes to support oral health. The plant is valued for its cleansing properties and is commonly used in herbal preparations designed to soothe irritated gums, minor mouth discomforts, and canker sores.

My Introduction to the Toothache Plant

I first learned about Spilanthes through the Alternatives to Dentists series featuring herbalist Doug Simons. Drawing from years of living in the Gila Wilderness and studying traditional plant knowledge, Simons shares practical approaches to supporting oral health with natural remedies.

At the time, I was dealing with persistent tooth pain and searching for alternatives that might provide relief. Learning about Spilanthes became the beginning of a much larger journey into natural oral care.

After trying the plant as Doug recommended, I experienced noticeable relief. While it wasn’t a complete solution to the underlying issue, it offered enough comfort to convince me that I was exploring a promising path.

How to Use the Toothache Plant

Both the flowers and leaves of Spilanthes can be used to prepare teas or tinctures.

As a Tincture

Place several drops in your mouth and swish for about a minute before spitting it out. For localized discomfort, apply a drop or two directly to the affected area or place it on a cotton ball and hold it against the site.

As a Tea

Drink two to three cups daily at the first sign of oral discomfort. Some herbalists also recommend crushing fresh flowers and applying them directly to the affected area.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of Spilanthes is the sensation it creates.

Biting Into a Flower Is Quite an Experience

The first time I chewed a Spilanthes flower bud, I was completely caught off guard.

Within seconds, my mouth began tingling intensely. Soon afterward, portions of my mouth felt mildly numb, followed by an extraordinary increase in saliva production.

The active compound responsible for this sensation is spilanthol, a naturally occurring plant compound found in the flower heads. Researchers have studied spilanthol for its unique biological properties and its long history of use in traditional herbal medicine.

Spilanthes is classified as a sialagogue, meaning it stimulates saliva production. Saliva plays an important role in oral health by helping cleanse the mouth, neutralize acids, and support healthy teeth and gums.

A Culinary Bonus

The toothache plant isn’t just medicinal.

Young leaves can be cooked like spinach or added fresh to salads. Small amounts contribute a distinctive flavor to soups, stews, and other dishes, making Spilanthes both an ornamental and edible garden plant.

Growing Spilanthes at Home

Spilanthes is easy to grow in garden beds, raised beds, or containers. It thrives during warm weather and produces colorful flowers throughout the growing season.

If you enjoy medicinal herbs, this is one plant worth adding to your garden.

Seeds and starter plants are often available through herb nurseries, health food stores, specialty seed companies, and online retailers.

Final Thoughts

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, it’s important to remember that discomfort is often a signal that something deeper may be happening. While herbs such as Spilanthes may provide temporary relief and support oral wellness, they are not a substitute for appropriate dental care when serious issues are present.

What fascinates me most about this plant is how it reminds us that nature often provides simple tools that can complement our health journey. Spilanthes may not replace a dentist, but it can be a valuable addition to a natural oral care toolkit.

Your mouth serves as the gateway to the digestive system and plays a critical role in overall wellness. Supporting healthy gums and teeth isn’t just about avoiding cavities—it’s about caring for your entire body.

Thank you for reading. Health is a journey, and sometimes the simplest tools — whether a spilanthes plant, a medicinal herb, or a new perspective — can make a meaningful difference along the way.

If you’d like to learn more about natural approaches to oral health, explore the resources below.

Want to Go Deeper?

Curious about natural ways to support healthy gums and teeth? Click here to learn more about Healthy Gums, Healthy Body - A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness. We explore the connection between oral health and whole-body wellness, along with practical tools you can begin using right away.

Connect With Our Community

Come join the conversation and connect with others on a similar journey. Join our Facebook community, Holistic Dental Care Home Remedies, where over 3,100 members share home remedies, herbal wisdom, and practical tips for healthier gums and teeth.

Subscribe for future stories

Subscribe to receive new travel stories, healing insights, and discoveries from across the Four Corners region directly in your inbox.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

Today, Coral Castle stands on the edge of Florida’s Everglades, seemingly capable of withstanding even the fiercest hurricanes. Built during the 1920s by Edward Leedskalnin, this remarkable structure has often been compared to the Great Pyramids of Egypt because of its precise stone cutting, massive blocks, and astonishing craftsmanship. The stones, some weighing many tons, were quarried, moved, and positioned by one man using only simple tools.

Leedskalnin claimed he had uncovered the “lost secrets” used by the ancient builders of the pyramids and applied those same principles to the construction of Coral Castle.

Who Was Ed Leedskalnin?

Edward Leedskalnin was born in 1887 near Riga, Latvia. According to local legend, before his birth, his mother visited a psychic named Madame Drusa, who predicted that her son would arrive early, possess a restless spirit, and one day astonish the world. She reportedly claimed that he had once lived in the lost civilization of Atlantis as a master sculptor and would return in this lifetime to revive an ancient science used to build the Great Pyramids.

Whether fact or folklore, Leedskalnin’s life took a dramatic turn when his fiancée, Agnes Scuffs, called off their wedding the day before the ceremony. Heartbroken, he eventually emigrated to the United States and settled in Florida City, Florida. There, he purchased a small piece of land for just $12 and began constructing what he called a monument to his lost love—a place now known as Coral Castle.

Building a Castle with Hand Tools

Using little more than a shovel, a wheelbarrow, a homemade block-and-tackle system, and truck springs sharpened into wedges, Leedskalnin spent countless nights moving and shaping massive blocks of coral rock. Standing only five feet tall and weighing about 100 pounds, he amazed anyone who learned of his accomplishments.

Leedskalnin insisted that he had discovered the principles used by the ancient pyramid builders. He often remarked that if he could learn these secrets, anyone could.

Adding to the mystery, he worked almost exclusively at night and refused to let anyone watch him. Those who approached unexpectedly found that he had already stopped working, leading to decades of speculation about how he managed such incredible feats alone.

Leedskalnin and the Power of “Magneticity”

Beyond construction, Leedskalnin was fascinated by magnetism and energy. After suffering from tuberculosis, he claimed to have improved his health through a device he called the “Megatron,” which he described as a type of battery charger for the human body.

The apparatus reportedly consisted of a magnet placed inside a wooden pyramid wrapped with copper wire. Each afternoon, Leedskalnin would lie in the sun wearing dark blue sunglasses while repeating a saying passed down from his grandfather:

“Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

Leedskalnin believed that all matter was composed of tiny magnetic particles, which he referred to as “magneticity.” He argued that electricity was simply another manifestation of magnetism and dreamed of discovering a source of clean, unlimited energy for humanity.

His theories remain controversial, but they continue to fascinate researchers, inventors, and visitors to Coral Castle.

The Mystery of Coral Castle

Years after beginning his project, Leedskalnin undertook another astonishing task: he moved the entire castle, stone by stone, approximately ten miles north to its present location in Homestead, Florida.

If Coral Castle was built solely as a monument to lost love, why did he design it as a sophisticated astronomical observatory aligned with the North Star? Why did he construct it from more than 1,100 tons of coral stone and furnish it with a massive sundial, one-ton rocking chairs, and a nine-ton revolving gate that could be opened with the touch of a finger?

Leedskalnin died in 1951, taking many of his secrets with him. In 1984, Coral Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring that his remarkable achievement would be preserved for future generations.

To this day, Coral Castle remains one of America’s most intriguing mysteries. Like Stonehenge, the Great Sphinx, and the pyramids of Egypt, it continues to inspire questions that may never be fully answered.

Thanks for reading. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters.

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Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp in the United States, interest in hemp and CBD has grown tremendously. And for good reason—hemp is one of the most versatile and sustainable plants on the planet.

Most people are familiar with cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, one of the many naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids found in hemp. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate functions such as mood, sleep, immune response, and overall balance.

Hemp Plants

Unlike marijuana, hemp contains very low levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the psychoactive “high” associated with cannabis. By law, industrial hemp contains no more than 0.3% THC, making it non-intoxicating.

Hemp: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Beyond CBD, hemp seeds are a highly nutritious food packed with plant-based protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Hemp contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source. It is also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support heart, brain, and skin health. Some studies suggest that hemp seed oil may help improve symptoms associated with dry skin and certain inflammatory skin conditions.

Additional benefits of hemp include:

• Rich in protein and easily digestible

• Contains essential fatty acids

• Naturally gluten-free

• Contains no common allergens for most people

• Requires fewer pesticides and herbicides than many conventional crops

• Environmentally sustainable and renewable

Three Tablespoons of Hemp Seeds Contain Approximately:

• 11 grams of plant protein

• 7.5 grams of omega-6 fatty acids

• 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids

For vegetarians, vegans, and anyone looking to increase their intake of plant-based nutrition, hemp seeds are an excellent addition to smoothies, salads, cereals, and baked goods.

A Brief History of Hemp

Hemp has deep roots in American history. For centuries, it was cultivated as a valuable fiber, seed, and oil crop. Early American farmers grew hemp for rope, sails, clothing, paper, and other essential products.

During World War II, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched the “Hemp for Victory” campaign, encouraging farmers to grow hemp to support the war effort. Hemp fiber was used extensively for military rope, webbing, and other supplies.

Today, businesses, universities, farmers, and state agricultural departments are once again exploring hemp’s potential. As interest continues to grow, a new generation of innovators is discovering ways to use hemp as a fast-growing, renewable, and environmentally friendly resource.

Hemp's history is both fascinating and controversial. To gain a deeper appreciation for this remarkable plant and its impact on society, I encourage you to watch The Emperor of Hemp featuring renowned hemp advocate Jack Herer.

The Many Uses of Hemp

CBD may be the most talked-about aspect of hemp today, but it represents only one part of the plant’s remarkable potential.

Hemp can be used to produce:

• Nutritious foods and supplements

• Paper products

• Textiles and clothing

• Building materials

• Bioplastics

• Animal bedding

• Personal care products

• Industrial fibers

From nutrition to sustainability, hemp continues to demonstrate why it has earned a reputation as one of nature’s most useful plants.

Final Thoughts

As public understanding of hemp evolves, many people are taking a fresh look at this ancient crop and its many benefits. Whether you’re interested in CBD, nutrition, sustainability, or regenerative agriculture, hemp offers a fascinating example of how one plant can serve many different purposes.

The more we learn about hemp, the more we discover its potential to support healthier lifestyles and a more sustainable future.

Thanks for reading!

My exploration of hemp and CBD was just one step on a much larger journey toward better health. Over the years, I've discovered a variety of biohacking tools and wellness practices that have helped me improve my energy, resilience, and quality of life. If you're interested in taking charge of your own health and learning about some of the strategies I've found most valuable, I invite you to explore my FREE guide on 5 Easy Bio hacks for Energy and Cellular Renewal.

Breath is the essence of life and spirituality. Spiritual is from the word spiritus which means breath in latin. If we’re right about the brain’s division of power, changes in breathing patterns could help shift your moods and attitudes.

Right Brain Thinkers

Right brain thinkers are intuitive, spontaneous, get the big picture, but forgets details, have better motor skills, are emotional, tend to procrastinate, enjoy music, have lots of imagination, dimension and color, have the ability to make quick decisions and usually have good ideas.

Visiting art museums, exploring ghost towns or perhaps paying more attention to your daydreams, night dreams and recognize that you do dream, activates your right brain.

Left Brain Thinkers

Consequently, left brain thinkers are logical, sequential, goal orientated, analytical, have the discipline to carry ideas through, enjoy reading, writing, language and numbers, and are usually more articulate.

Public speaking, organizing, making lists, scheduling your time, memorizing and researching or just getting started is left brain activity. The ideal of course, is to use the whole brain. Einstein and Leonardo Da Vinci are examples of whole brained people.

Even though Einstein failed at math, he excelled in playing the violin, art, sailing and imagination games. While daydreaming one summer day, he imagined riding sunbeams to the far corners of the universe.

He found himself illogically returned to the surface of the sun and that was when he realized the universe must be curved and that his previous training was incomplete. The numbers, formulas, equations and words he wrapped around this new image gave us the theory of relativity which is a left and right brain combination.

Then there is Leonardo Da Vinci, who was accomplished in art, sculpture, physiology, general science, architecture, mechanics, anatomy, physics and all sorts of inventions. Rather than separate, he combined his talents.

His books are filled with three dimensional drawings and images. More interestingly, the final plans for his great painting masterpieces often look like architectural plans with straight lines, angles, curves and numbers.

Therefore, being in touch with our whole brain will help us throughout the day. It is known that work performance usually fluctuates every two hours or so, which shifts our modes of intelligence and causes on-the-job doldrums.

Perhaps breathing exercises could be a way to break out of them. The right brain can simply be activated by forcing air through the left nostril and vice versa.

Try this:

Breathe deeply in and out of your nose for a moment. Then hold a mirror under your nostrils. You’ll find the pools of condensation from your two nostrils are different sizes.

This is the right and left brain dominance. Isn’t it interesting that we see with both eyes, hear with both ears, yet breathe mainly through one nostril. Right nostril dominance goes with left brain activity, left nostril goes with the right brain. This dominance lasts anywhere from one hour to more than three hours, then reverses over a period of minutes.

On the average, our dominant mode of thinking shifts from left to right and back again about ten times every 24 hours. That means you may have better luck balancing your checkbook during an episode of left brain dominance and enjoy the arts when your right brain is dominant.

Long ago the yogis also believed that acute mental discomfort could be alleviated by forced breathing through the congested nostril. As we learn more about the two halves of the brain, the importance of controlling their rhythms may become more significant.

Studies done by psychiatrist, Pierre Henry of the University of Alberta suggests that schizophrenia may be left brain activity and depression shows right brain dysfunction.

In an era dominated by drugs and high technology, it seems ironic that such a simple procedure as altering our breathing patterns may give temporary relief from moodiness or even madness.

As a result of understanding the shifts that occur between the right and left brain, our capabilities of changing our attitudes and becoming what we really want to be at any given time can be enhanced.

Thanks for reading!

If this article sparked your curiosity about the connection between breath, awareness, and the brain, you might enjoy exploring a simple practice that helps bring both body and mind back into balance.

I’ve created Calm Wherever You Go: Simple Hand Holds to Soothe Stress, Settle the Body & Restore Ease, a travel-friendly self-care guide based on the ancient art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. These gentle techniques can help quiet mental chatter, ease tension, and restore a sense of calm—whether you’re navigating a busy travel day or simply seeking a few moments of peace in your daily life.

Because sometimes the shortest path to greater harmony isn’t through thinking more—it’s through reconnecting with the wisdom already present within your own body.

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For me, rosemary carries memories of sunlit gardens, home-cooked meals, and simple healing rituals that reconnect us to the natural world. It’s more than a culinary herb — it’s a plant that reminds me to slow down, breathe deeply, and stay rooted through life’s changing seasons.

Native to the Mediterranean, Rosemary thrives in rocky soil, hot sun, and dry air — teaching resilience without harshness. Rosemary has been cultivated for over 5000 years. Its needle-like leaves hold aromatic oils long treasured in legend, myth and folklore, medicine and food, and even love charms.

Ancient Greeks are said to have woven rosemary into garlands for students and scholars, believing it strengthened memory and concentration.

Across Europe, sprigs were tucked into doorways, braided into bridal wreaths, and burned in sickrooms as a symbol of cleansing and protection.

During the Middle Ages, it was a symbol of fidelity and love. Brides would wear rosemary in their headpiece with the groom and guests also wearing a sprig. Some lucky guests might even have been presented with a rosemary branch gilded in gold. Newlyweds would plant a rosemary bush on their wedding day to bring them a happy marriage.

It was said the tap from a rosemary sprig would fill one with love, and was even incorporated into the clothes of dolls to attract lovers, so began the concept of rosemary as a love charm. Quite different to the tap on keys of a dating app today.

Rosemary gets its first mention on cuneiform tablets, cuneiform is a form of writing on stone, used from the early bronze age using logo-syllabic script.

It gets a mention again in the time of the Egyptians and is known to have been used in burial rituals, as dried sprigs were discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs. It doesn’t resurface again until the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans around 500BC.

But rosemary’s medicine is not only historical.

Spending time with the plant itself can feel deeply grounding. Its woody stems anchor firmly into the earth while its silver-green branches reach upward toward light, embodying both rootedness and vitality. In the Southwest, where dry winds and intense sunlight shape the landscape, rosemary often flourishes with surprising ease, carrying a quiet reminder that strength can coexist with softness.

There are simple ways to invite rosemary into your daily life:

• Steep fresh sprigs into tea for a warming, clarifying ritual

• Add it to soups, roasted vegetables, or breads for both flavor and nourishment

• Place a small bundle near your doorway as a symbol of welcome and protection

• Rub the leaves gently between your fingers before meditation or journaling

• Plant it near a path or porch where its scent can rise in the evening air

For many people, rosemary evokes memory — not only intellectual memory, but emotional memory as well. A grandmother’s kitchen. Sun-warmed stone patios. The scent carried on dry desert wind after rain. It reminds us that healing is often sensory, slow, and rooted in ordinary moments.

In a world that often pulls attention outward, rosemary offers a different invitation: return to the body, return to the breath, return to the earth beneath your feet.

If you feel drawn to learning more about rosemary and the healing wisdom of everyday plants, exploring herbal education can open an entirely new relationship with the natural world.

One of my favorite resources is The HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine, where you can discover the traditional uses, energetics, and practical applications of herbs like rosemary in a grounded and approachable way.

Whether you’re simply curious or hoping to deepen your herbal journey, it’s a beautiful place to begin reconnecting with the medicine growing all around us.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

There’s a simple way to find out.In Sanskrit, chakra means “wheel.” According to Indian metaphysical teachings we have dozens of these spinning centers of vital energy within and around us, each with a specific function.

Chakras even glow in different colors, according to the speed at which they spin. The fast spinning chakras produce cool colors of blue, green and violet. The slower spinners glow warm colors of red, orange and yellow.

There’s an easy way to directly experience your chakras: the Main Central Vertical flow which is a Jin Shin Jyutsu (pronouced jitsu) technique. This technique works with nine pressure points, seven of which are chakras.

A Simple Self-Help Method

This simple self-help acupressure routine is considered to be an overall tune-up for the body. It harmonizes and nourishes the spine, which is key to keeping our vital flame of spirit and enthusiasm alive.

Practicing the Main Central Vertical Flow involves placing two or three fingers on each of the nine pressure points for two or three minutes each. This stimulates the flow of life force through each of the chakras. You may notice a light, pulsing sensation like a heartbeat as you move your fingers down the center line of the front of the body.

This sensation is the energy, or “chi.” moving more freely around your body. Sometimes you may feel soreness surrounding the pressure point, which indicates a blocking of chi. Stimulating the point releases the chi, and the soreness usually dissipates. Other sensations that you may notice as these energy centers begin to open is your stomach gurgling and/or warmth, chills in different areas of your body.

Just Follow Along for Magic

As you follow the steps below, you don’t have to press very hard. The energy flow is subtle, yet powerful! For best results, practice the Main Central Vertical Flow every day. (I usually do this right before I go to sleep, but you can do it first thing in the morning too). It can take ten to twenty minutes.

The 7 safety energy locks for the main central vertical hold

Step 1A — With your right hand, place two or three fingers on the top center of your head and leave them there until Step 8.

The Crown Chakra is the violet-colored center at the top of the head. In Sedona Power Spot, Vortex and Medicine Wheel Guide, Richard Dannelley describes it as “the cross-over point between the physical and the soul.”

Stimulating this chakra can help bridge your everyday awareness with consciousness of the higher, or universal self.

Step 1B — Place two or three fingers from your left hand between your eyebrows. This indigo-hued pressure point, according to Dannelley, is associated with the “pineal gland or ‘third eye’ deep within the brain.” also known as the Anja Chakra.

According to traditional teachings, opening this chakra revitalizes latent energy deep inside the body and may stimulate ESP.

Step 2- Next, place your left hand on the tip of your nose. There is no chakra related to this pressure point. But according to Jin Shin Jyutsu philosophy, holding the tip of the nose revitalizes the reproductive functions.

Step 3- Now move your left hand to the “V” of your throat. The blue Throat Chakra is a powerful energy center which, according to tradition revitalizes the Thyroid and Para thyroid glands.

“This is also the chakra of the human voice,” notes Dannelley, adding that “metaphysically”, sound is one of the primary energies of the universe.”

Step 4 — Now place your left hand on your sternum (breastbone) which is midway between top and bottom of your chest. This green Heart Chakra pressure point is the center of your energy system. When this chakra is open, the Thymus gland is helped and other immune systems are said to be revitalized.

Step 5 — Next, move your left hand to just below the bottom of the sternum. This area lies over a nerve center and yellow-colored chakra called the solar plexus. “Mystics and Yogis around the world regard it as the body’s vital center and the seat of the will.” writes Dannelley.

It ‘works’ with the adrenal glands and the third eye to draw a healing form of light into your system.

Step 6 — Now place your left hand one inch above your bellybutton. This pressure point isn’t associated with any chakra. But according to Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners, it works closely with the solar plexus and may aid intestinal functions.

Step 7 — Now place your left hand on the top center of your pubic bone. Leave it there for the next step. This orange-colored chakra is known as The Basic Life Force. “It revitalizes the organs of the lower body, such as the spleen and ovaries,” according to Dannelley.

Step 8 -Finally, place your right hand at the base of your spine. This is the Root Chakra. Red in color and associated with the sexual organs, “ it is your connection with Mother Earth and Her primal Life Force energy,” or kundalini, notes Dannelly. Awakening this energy may improve circulation, especially in the legs and feet.

Practitioners of Jin Shin Jyutsu claim that holding these pressure points every day can relieve a variety of health problems, including digestive disorders, high or low blood pressure, breast tenderness, fatigue, spinal cord injuries and disk problems, scoliosis, and premenstrual syndrome.

As a regular sufferer of PMS for many years, I can vouch that “going with the main central vertical flow “ eliminated 90 % of my symptoms.

The Main Central Vertical Flow can be used to complement conventional medicine or simply to sustain a sense of harmony and well-being. Plato said, “learning is simply remembering.”

As you work on each pressure point, remember to smile and breathe slowly and deeply so you will receive all the abundance you need. This father learned how to help his daughter’s pain while recovering from surgery.

The Story of Jin Shin Jyutsu

An ancient oral Japanese tradition, Jin Shin Jyutsu had virtually disappeared when it was rediscovered in the early 1900’s by a Japanese philosopher named Jiro Murai.

Master Murai was born into a long line of medicine professionals. As a young man, he contracted a terminal illness. He asked his family to take him to the mountains and leave him alone for seven days.

In a feverish state, Murai had a vision of meditating sages using sacred hand movements, or mudras, which he then applied to himself as he slipped in and out of consciousness. By the seventh day, he was completely healed.

Murai vowed to spend the rest of his life studying the connection between his amazing recovery and these mudras. The Main Central Vertical Flow was among the first sets of mudras, or flows, that Murai established as he redeveloped the Jin Shin Jyutsu system that practitioners use and study today.— — adapted from “An Interview with Mary Burmeister, Master of Jin Shin Jyutsu” by Melissa

Thanks for reading!

Just as the chakras thrive when energy flows freely, we too flourish when we create space for stillness, balance, and renewal.

If you’re looking for simple ways to stay grounded in everyday life, I invite you to explore Finding Calm in the Southwest- A Collection of Guides and Practices. Inspired by desert landscapes, mountain solitude, and time-honored healing practices, this collection of resources offers practical ways to calm the nervous system, restore inner balance, and carry a little more peace into each day.

Because sometimes the most powerful healing begins with a single breath, a quiet moment, and a willingness to slow down.

Subscribe for future stories

Subscribe to receive new travel stories, healing insights, and discoveries from across the Four Corners region directly in your inbox.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

Many people faithfully follow the advice they’ve been given: regular cleanings, careful brushing and flossing, treatments, and procedures. Yet their oral health continues to feel like an uphill battle.

It’s frustrating when you’re doing everything “right” but still aren’t seeing the progress you hoped for.

What if your mouth isn’t simply a problem to fix—but a messenger inviting you to look a little deeper?

Discover the Connection Between Your Mouth and Your Body

For years, I thought my gums and teeth were simply a dental issue.

Over time, I began noticing something I hadn’t expected. During periods of stress, poor nutrition, or when my body felt run down, my oral health often reflected it. As I explored holistic approaches to wellness, I discovered that caring for my gums wasn’t just about my mouth—it became part of caring for my whole body.

That realization changed the questions I was asking.

Instead of wondering, “What can I do to fix my gums?” I began asking, “What is my body trying to tell me?”

While there’s rarely a single answer, I found that supporting my overall health often supported my oral health as well.

Today, research continues to explore the close relationship between oral health and the rest of the body. Our gums don’t exist in isolation—they’re part of a much bigger picture involving nutrition, inflammation, stress, immune function, and daily habits.

Learning to view oral health through that wider lens can bring both understanding and hope.

Healing Takes Time

Like the unfolding petals of a lotus flower, healing rarely happens all at once.

It unfolds through small choices, growing awareness, and consistent care.

My own journey taught me that our bodies are constantly communicating with us. Sometimes the greatest changes begin not with a dramatic breakthrough, but with learning to listen more closely.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore natural approaches or looking to complement the care you’re already receiving, I hope you’ll discover new ways to support both your oral health and your overall well-being.

Connect With Our Community

Come join the conversation and connect with others on a similar journey. Join our Facebook community, Holistic Dental Care Home Remedies, where over 3,100 members share home remedies, herbal wisdom, and practical tips for healthier gums and teeth.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have been searching for answers for years, you’ll find a community of people exploring these ideas together.

Come join us on Facebook and continue learning at your own pace.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide rather than scattered information, the Healthy Gums, Healthy Body -A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness brings everything together into a six-week learning experience.

Rather than offering another quick fix, it’s an opportunity to explore practical ways to support your oral health while better understanding how your whole body works together.

Inside, we’ll explore topics such as:

• Better understand what’s happening in your mouth

• Respond to flare-ups with more confidence

• Support your gums through nutrition and daily care

• Use helpful tools and natural approaches for oral wellness

• Strengthen the connection between your mind, body, and healing

This workshop isn’t intended to replace your dentist or professional treatment. Instead, it’s designed to help you become an active partner in your own oral health with practical knowledge and gentle, supportive tools.

Learn more here.

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Oil Pulling: An Ancient Practice for Healthier Gums and a Brighter Smile-Discover how a simple daily swishing ritual may help reduce plaque, freshen breath, and naturally support your oral health.

Will Celery Juice Help Gum Issues?-How One Simple Morning Ritual Became Part of My Journey to Healthier Gums, Better Digestion, and a Calmer Body

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Remember Chia pets? This is the same material, only you won’t be growing a plant. I only ask you to soak the seeds in water and watch them swell. The seeds are tasteless, odorless and therefore won’t go rancid, are easy to store, easy to use, and are not contaminated with pesticides, chemicals or heavy metals.

Add one tablespoon chia into an eight-ounce glass of water or juice, let sit about five minutes, stir, and then drink. Chia turns into a gel, which can be added to jams, jellies, peanut butter, milkshakes, nut spreads, smoothies, hot or cold cereals, yogurts, mustard, catsup, tartar sauce, barbecue sauces or anything else you can think of.

This is an ancient food source recently rediscovered that was known for its endurance. “Chia” is the Mayan word for strength. Chia seeds had been a staple for the American Native people for centuries (long before the Chia Pet hit the market). The Aztecs considered it to be extremely valuable for healing — from cleaning the eyes to helping heal wounds, topically, to relieving joint pain and so on.

Aztec warriors would eat chia during hunting trips, and the Indians of the Southwest would eat only chia seeds mixed with water as they ran from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean to trade products.

These tiny black seeds contain large amounts of B vitamins and calcium too. In roughly two ounces of chia (100 grams), there are 600 milligrams of calcium, contrasted with 120 milligrams of calcium in the same amount of milk. That’s five times as much calcium than milk!

Chia also contains boron which aids in the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus for bones and muscle growth. Since our nation’s soil is so boron depleted, we simply are not getting enough of this mineral in our daily diets. Boron also can increase the levels of natural estrogen.

My Story

My story around Chia seeds started when I was in my early 20’s. I was gaining weight, even though I ate like a bird and my energy was too low. It took 3 different doctors to figure out that I had Graves Disease or Hyperthyroidism. I was given three options to get well.

* Cut out my enlarged thyroid

* Have radiation treatments

* Take a little white pill with a long name

I chose the little white pill and managed to get well through sheer will. However, it took about two years before I totally felt myself again. I was told there was a 50/50 chance I would relive this disease.

Then and there I began learning more natural ways to remain healthy. I started a regime of vitamins, bodywork, (massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu- form of acupressure) soaking in hot springs, Jazzercise, etc. All this helped tremendously.

Stress was a major player on why I contracted this disease in the first place. I was in an abusive marriage and working for a very toxic, (literary chemicals spewing everywhere) company. But, I did heal or so I thought. For years, PMS reared its ugly head. Nothing too severe but I never did have regular menstrual cycles and I know it had to do with my thyroid.

Furthermore, when I stress, my upper lip swells and I’m not even injecting Botox! I stumbled upon Chia Seeds through The Health Ranger Store. Within a few weeks, my top lip had gone back to its normal size and I could apply lipstick again without my lip burning. But, there were other benefits of this tiny seed that I never would have imagined. My complexion cleared, my energy levels stabilized and my appetite leveled off.

Listed below, are even more benefits of this tiny, nutritious food. Perhaps, it can help you also on your path to wellness.

Chia Seeds Gel-forming Property is a Dieter’s Dream

The seeds tends to slow digestion and sustain balanced blood sugar levels, which can be helpful in preventing or controlling Diabetes. Water-soaked chia seeds are easily digested which results in rapid transport of chia nutrients to the tissues for use by the cells.

For the dieter, this means feeling full with no more peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels. Because the Chia seed produces a thick mucilage in water, it absorbs up to 30 times its weight in water.

This means that once it is in the body, debris from the intestinal walls flakes off to be eliminated efficiently and regularly. A daily dose of chia seeds provides an excellent fiber source and most people notice a different in less than a week.

More Reasons to Incorporate Chia Seeds Into Your Diet

*2 times the protein of any other seed or grain,

*2 times the amount of potassium as bananas,

*3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries

*3 times more iron than spinach

It has also been reported that chia seeds can also help with Acid Reflux because of the highly absorbent properties. Just swallow a tablespoon of dry seeds with just a little water. Then drink a glass of water a few minutes later, so the seeds can do their job of absorbing the acid in your stomach.

It is necessary to drink enough water after taking the chia seeds because if there isn’t enough liquid in your stomach, the seeds will draw from the tissues instead. By allowing the seeds to first absorb the acid, then drinking some more water, this is a very simple, yet effective way to handle this condition.

I’ve been incorporating at least two teaspoons of chia seeds into my diet everyday. I no longer have numbness in my fingers when I wake up in the middle of the night, my fingernails are noticeably harder and aren’t chipping or breaking any longer, the swelling of my top lip is no longer an issue and I am experiencing very little menopause symptoms. Need I say more?

No More Hotflashes!

Other conditions Chia Seeds may relieve

* Diabetes

* Celiac disease

* Depression

* Headaches- Are you tired of those constant migraines?

* Heart Attacks

* IBS

* Lowers cholesterol- no cholesterol.

* Lyme Disease

* High blood pressure

* Menopause symptoms — Life is much cooler!

* Panic Attacks

*Thyroid Conditions

Valuable Nutrient for Your Pets Too!

Chia is not just for people; dogs, cats and even horses will benefit by the elements found in this seed. I can attest to that. My 11 year tabby cat has has had an intestinal problem since she was young, but since I have been adding 1/4 teaspoon mixed into her food, she no longer vomits after every meal. Which is nice to not have to clean up.

Isn’t it Time to Introduce Chia Seeds Into Your Diet for a Healthier You?

Your local health food store will probably carry Chia Seeds or you can visit The Health Ranger Store. They offer only organic, non-GMO, glyphosate lab tested products. One pound of chia seeds lasts quite a few months using only a couple of teaspoons a day.

And one more note about Chia Pets. Even though Chia seeds are too sticky for conventional sprouting jars, they do sprout very easily when spread out on earthenware. The Mexicans have long made earthenware in the shapes of Chia Pets, and yes, you can eat the sprouts that grow on the Chia Pet. They taste like watercress (but better), and are full of vitamins and minerals, just like the seeds.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

In the high desert of Taos, where the air is dry and the land speaks in quiet ways, the body often mirrors the environment. Cracks, sensitivity, inflammation—whether in the earth or in our gums—ask for attention, moisture, and care.

I didn’t come to celery juice looking for a cure.
I came to it the way many of us come to simple things—out of curiosity, and maybe a little fatigue from complicated answers.

Celery.
Common. Watery. Easy to overlook.

And yet, like many desert plants and quiet practices, it holds something subtle.

The Physical Corner

From a practical standpoint, celery is hydrating and contains nutrients that support the body in small but meaningful ways. When taken in as fresh juice—especially first thing in the morning—it can feel like rinsing the system from the inside out.

Inflammation in the gums is often tied to larger patterns in the body: digestion, stress, and the balance of bacteria. Supporting overall health can gently ripple outward, sometimes reaching places like the mouth.

It’s not a replacement for brushing, flossing, or dental care.
But it can be a companion to those things.

The Inner Terrain

Anthony William, author of the Medical Medium books, speaks of celery juice as a kind of cleanser—something that helps the body let go of what no longer serves it.

Whether you take that literally or symbolically, the act itself is simple:

You wake.
You prepare something green and alive.
You drink it before the world rushes in.

There’s a quiet discipline in that.
A returning.

The Elemental Thread

In Four Cornering, we listen for patterns across the natural world.

Celery is mostly water—structured, held within fiber, carrying trace minerals from the soil. In the desert, water is everything. It restores, softens, and brings life back to what has grown tight or inflamed.

Gums, too, need that softening.

Not just from the outside, but from within.

The Practice

If you feel called to try it, keep it simple:

• One bunch of celery

• Rinsed, juiced, and taken on an empty stomach

• No additions, no distractions

• Just the plant, as it is

Drink, then wait.
Let the body receive before asking it to process anything else.

My Experience

I began slowly—one day a week, drinking celery juice throughout the day. My body responded quickly. There was a clearing, a release.

Then I shifted to a daily rhythm: 16 to 32 ounces each morning.

Over the next couple of months, I noticed changes.
My gums felt less inflamed.
My body felt calmer.
The constant bloating I had grown used to quietly disappeared.

Even my nails strengthened—small, physical signs that something deeper was re-calibrating.

But more than that, there was a subtle emotional shift.
Less urgency.
Less noise.

Is Celery Juice the Answer to Gum Issues?

Not entirely.

Gum health still asks for hands-on care, attention, and sometimes professional support. But celery juice, for me, became part of a larger relationship with my body—one rooted in listening rather than fixing.

In Four Cornering, we don’t look for one solution.
We look for alignment.

And sometimes, alignment begins with something as simple as a green stalk, pulled from the earth, offering water back to a body that has forgotten how to receive it.

The more I explored simple, natural approaches to wellness, the more I began to appreciate how interconnected the body really is.

That eventually led me to take a much closer look at oral health—and to explore what our gums and teeth might be telling us about the rest of our body.

I’ve gathered much of what I’ve learned into Healthy Gums, Healthy Body — A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness.

It’s an invitation to explore, learn, and discover practical ways to become more informed about your own oral health.

Subscribe for future stories

Subscribe to receive new travel stories, healing insights, and discoveries from across the Four Corners region directly in your inbox.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

When I was young, each morning before school, I would lie quietly in bed, waiting. Not for the alarm, not for the day — but for my mother.

Soon enough, I would feel it: her soft hand resting gently on my forehead. She would brush my hair away from my eyes and whisper, “Wake up, honey.”

That simple moment — her touch, her voice — meant everything to me.

It was love, made tangible.

The need for touch begins there, but it doesn’t end there. It doesn’t fade with age or diminish over time.

Touch is essential throughout our entire lives.

And yet, we often overlook it.

We think of touch as something simple — something pleasant. But it is far more than that. Humans, like animals, need touch just as we need food and water.

With touch, we can soothe, comfort, reassure — or spark joy and laughter. A gentle hand can calm the nervous system; a skilled one can lull us into deep relaxation.

More and more, people are seeking out experiences that bring them back into their bodies — seeking relaxation, self-worth, and a deeper sense of well-being. Again and again, they arrive at the same place:

Touching can reassure us, relax us, comfort us or arouse us like nothing else. The importance of touch is so basic that we tend to take it for granted, just like we do breathing.

The Power of Touch

Whether through massage, energy work or reflexology, touch remains at the heart of healing. There is something profoundly regulating about human skin meeting human skin.

Touch grounds us.
It connects us.
It reminds us we are not alone.

Hugs Are Forever

During times of isolation — like the long weeks of “shelter in place” during the coronavirus pandemic — many of us were suddenly cut off from touch.

Unless we had family nearby… or pets.

I live alone, but I was lucky to have two sweet cats who wove themselves around my legs, offering their own version of connection. Still, it wasn’t the same.

There is something irreplaceable about human touch.

I missed hugging my friends. I missed the warmth, the familiarity, the unspoken reassurance.

Six feet of distance can feel like a lifetime.

Research confirms what we already know deep down.

Dr. Saul Schanberg, a professor at Duke University, once said that touch is more powerful and varied than our other senses. You can listen to calming music or gaze at a peaceful view — but a good massage can shift your entire state in minutes.

Touch reaches us in ways words and images cannot.

It can ease pain, soften stress, and restore balance — sometimes almost instantly.

More Than Skin Deep

Our skin, often taken for granted, is one of the most remarkable organs we have.

It covers nearly 19 square feet of the body and contains millions of cells, nerve endings, and blood vessels — all designed to receive and transmit sensation.

But touch goes far beyond the physical.

Research over the past several decades has shown that touch plays a vital role in our development, our emotional health, and even our immune function.

It shapes how we bond, how we handle stress, and how we experience the world.

And yet, culturally, touch varies widely. In some places, it is abundant and natural. In others, it is reserved, even avoided.

Sometimes, in our pursuit of independence, we distance ourselves not just physically — but emotionally.

And in doing so, we can begin to feel alone.

The Human Spirit

There is also something more — something less tangible, yet deeply felt.

Many traditions speak of an energetic or spiritual body that surrounds and interpenetrates the physical one. Some call it energy, others call it spirit.

Whatever the name, it is part of what we exchange through touch.

Some say it is love.

And perhaps that’s the simplest truth.

As I offered Jin Shin Jyutsu to my community, I came to understand that touch works on many levels.

It begins physically — but it doesn’t stop there.

It moves into the mental body, softening thought patterns.
It flows into the emotional body, easing held feelings.
And it reaches into the spiritual core, where something essential within us remembers itself.

Touch brings us home — to ourselves.

We experience touch in many forms:

In the embrace of a loved one.
In the gentleness we feel in nature.
In acts of kindness, both given and received.

Each of these nourishes the spirit. Each one makes the world feel a little softer, a little more whole.

And even after someone we love is gone, their touch remains — alive in memory

I still feel my mother’s hand on my forehead. I still hear her voice.

That imprint never leaves.

So, is touch important?

Absolutely.

Is it appreciated?

Not nearly enough.

How about you?

Do you feel you receive enough touch in your life?

Touch is one of the first languages we learn and one of the most powerful tools we have for calming the nervous system, reducing stress, and restoring a sense of well-being.

If this article sparked your interest in the healing power of touch, you may enjoy my self-care guide, Calm Wherever You Go: Simple Hand Holds to Soothe Stress, Settle the Body & Restore Ease.

Drawing from the gentle art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, this travel-friendly PDF introduces simple hand holds you can use anytime you need to feel more centered, grounded, and at ease. Whether you’re navigating a busy day, a life transition, or simply seeking a moment of calm, these easy techniques can help you reconnect with your body’s innate healing wisdom.

Because sometimes the most profound healing begins with something as simple as placing your hands on yourself with awareness and intention.

In a world that often feels disconnected, touch remains one of the simplest reminders that we are not alone.

If this story touched your heart, I hope you’ll subscribe and join me as I continue exploring healing traditions, wellness practices, and meaningful stories from the Southwest and beyond.

And if you’d like to help support future writing, research, and travels, you can leave a small contribution through my “Buy Me a Coffee” page. Every gesture of support, no matter the size, helps me continue creating content that informs, inspires, and encourages deeper connection.

Thank you for reading, and for being part of this journey.

Discover How Your Smile Impacts Your Whole Health

Embark on a transformative six-week journey to revitalize your gums and rejuvenate your body. Imagine a pink lotus flower as your guide, symbolizing progress, enlightenment, and empowerment. As each petal unfolds, so does your soul, gradually opening up to optimal health — because true well-being is a journey, not an overnight destination.

Much like the lotus flower unveiling one petal at a time, achieving health requires gradual steps. Communing with nature brings balance and harmony to our lives.

Yet, if your harmony is disrupted by ailments like abscessed teeth, cavities, or bad breath, fear not. You’re in the right place!

This workshop is designed to walk you through step-by-step processes, empowering you to confidently manage dental flare-ups without the need for immediate dentist visits. Now, I do say immediate, sometimes, it’s hard to find a dentist especially on the weekend. There are a wealth of tools to help you manage on your own.

Empower Your Body, Transform Your Mind

Transform Your Mind, Body, and Spirit -one Lotus Flower pedal at a time

In my hands-on program, I share time-honored traditions and proven recovery through tools and resources. Kick-starting your journey toward dental self-sufficiency.

By learning simple tools and methods, coupled with insights into proper nutrition for dental health, you could potentially save thousands of dollars.

We’re stepping into a unique and promising era, where being your best self across mind, body, and soul is essential to navigating these turbulent times.

I invite you to join me on this transformative journey, where I’ll guide you to “go with the flow,” mastering the art of navigating through turbulent waves, including differing dental opinions. Again, envision yourself like a lotus flower, not merely surviving but thriving in the mud, emerging as a beautiful, smiling, and healthy individual!

Your Dental Wellness Goals: What You’ll Discover

1) Your Mouth is the Gateway to Your Health

You’ll begin by taking a close look at your own oral health. A downloadable PDF will help you assess and identify potential issues, setting the foundation for the rest of your journey.

2) The Mouth Is a Mirror to the Body

Learn how your thoughts, emotions, and physical health are deeply interconnected — especially when it comes to your mouth. Many participants experience powerful “aha” moments in this lesson that shift the way they view oral care forever.

3) Eating to Heal

Nutrition plays a vital role in healing your gums — and by extension, your entire body. This lesson covers foundational dietary suggestions to support oral health, while encouraging you to listen to your body and discover what works best for you.

4) Building Your Natural Healing Toolbox

You’ll be introduced to a variety of supplements that can support gum and oral health. This is an opportunity to research and experiment to find what aligns best with your unique needs.

5) The Tools I Reach For Again and Again

This practical lesson introduces helpful dental tools — mirrors, electric and manual toothbrushes, hydrofloss, VitaPick, neti pot, and more — to support your daily self-care routine.

6) Staying on Track

In our final lesson, you’ll find a collection of helpful resources to keep you motivated and consistent. An uplifting poem, “A Great Smile is Always in Fashion,” is presented and closes with a heart-centered love meditation by Dr. Joe Dispenza.

Your Healthiest Smile Starts Here!

Your healthiest smile begins with one small step.
When you care for your gums and teeth proactively, you support not only your smile — but your whole body.

Learn more here about the Healthy Gums, Healthy Body-A Guided Journey to Natural Oral Wellness

Thanks for reading!

If you found this helpful, don’t keep it to yourself — share it with your family and friends so they can benefit too! Have questions or thoughts, drop them in the comments and I’ll get back to you! Follow if you’d like to see more content like this. Or buy me a coffee.

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Calm Wherever You Go-Simple Hand Holds to Soothe Stress, Settle the Body & Restore Ease. This calming, practical travel guide teaches over 20 simple Jin Shin Jyustu (form of acupressure) self-help routines you can use anywhere — on long drives, flights, mountain adventures, desert trips, or days when you feel stretched thin.

If you’ve ever experienced a headache, stomach ache or pain anywhere in your body that just doesn’t want to go away, then you are going to love this easy and beautifully designed PDF that combines ancient Japanese energy wisdom with the grounded spirit of Southwest travel.

Inside you’ll find quick routines for nerves, jet lag, altitude, tension, digestion, and emotional balance while exploring the world.

Perfect for wanderers, road-trippers, RV travelers, digital nomads, and anyone who wants to feel more centered on the move.

If you feel overwhelmed about where to start with making small changes to your daily routine to improve your overall health and well being, it might be time to give biohacking a try.

Biohacking is all about optimizing your mind and body by leveraging science, technology, and biology to enhance human well-being and performance.

Supplements are one of the most effective ways to support this process. They add key nutrients into your diet and can improve everything from focus and recovery to energy and longevity. But in order to understand which are truly the best supplements for biohacking, you need to look beyond quick fixes and symptom management. That’s where cellular health comes in.

What exactly is cellular health? Why does it matter for longevity? And why do so many supplements fall short of addressing it?

In this post, we’ll unpack these questions and explore supplements that can take your biohacking routine to the next level.

The Biohacking Supplement Landscape: What’s Working (and What’s Not)

Supplements play a crucial role in any biohacking routine. They provide the nutrients your body needs to adapt, repair, and thrive.

The challenge? The supplement market is crowded with products—adaptogens, nootropics, probiotics, creatine, omega-3s—all of which provide measurable benefits, yet all share the same limitations:

They don’t optimize cellular communication, which is the foundation of energy, recovery, and resilience.

They only manage symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

Their impact is often short-term.

In other words, even the most common biohacking supplements for athletes or professionals can only take you so far if they don’t target the source of health and performance: your cells.

The Missing Link in Biohacking: Cellular Health & Oxidative Stress

True biohacking starts at the cellular level. After all, your cells are the building blocks of your body and when they function at their best, so do you. That’s why the concept of cellular health is central to the biohacking conversation. Cellular health refers to how well your cells can perform their core functions—communicating, repairing, and adapting to stress.

One of the biggest threats to cellular health is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens when there’s an imbalance between free radicals (molecules that damage cells) and antioxidants (molecules that protect cells). Over time, oxidative stress can:

* Slow recovery

* Weaken the immune system

* Accelerate the natural aging process

* Limit peak performance

For biohackers, this means that no matter how much you optimize your diet, workouts, and sleep, ignoring oxidative stress leaves a critical gap.

That said, the DIY approach to optimum wellness- one thing doesn’t fit all. Once you choose a supplement that is working for you, ASEA will boost your chosen protocol.

My Story

This product truly helped me find my way back into the game of life. When my partner passed away, my energy dropped dramatically, and I struggled with persistent stomach pain.

After about a month of using the liquid, my stomach issues cleared, and my energy started returning. I’ve now been using ASEA for nearly two years, and I’ve experienced improvements in other areas as well.

If you’d like to learn more about my personal journey, please feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to share my experience and the benefits I’ve discovered.

How ASEA Redox Powers True Cellular Health

This is where​ ASEA Redox​ Signaling Molecules changes the game. Unlike traditional supplements that simply add nutrients, ASEA’s breakthrough redox signaling technology supports the body’s natural cell-communicating abilities.

Here’s how ASEA Redox helps biohackers reach the next level:

Helps the body repair and adapt more efficiently.

Supports natural defenses against oxidative stress.

Works synergistically with traditional supplements, enhancing your existing biohacking toolkit instead of replacing it.

Backed by research and patented technology, making it one of the most advanced cellular health supplements available.

By supporting communication and performance at the root level of health, ASEA goes beyond symptom relief and helps your body build true resilience from within.

The Best Supplement for Biohacking

If you are serious about biohacking, it’s time to dive deeper and focus on the foundation of your health—your cells.

​ASEA Redox Cell Signaling Supplement​ is a next-level biohacking tool that helps you build resilience, energy, and performance from the inside out.

If you are ready to experience the difference that cellular health can make, it’s time to add ​ASEA Redox​ to your routine.

Learn more here-->-​ 5 Easy Bio hacks for Energy and Cellular Renewal​

Free guide to discover how to eat for your mitochandria, hydrate deeply, get sunlight safely, practice mindful breathing, daily grounding and more.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.

I frequently tell my clients how important it is to relax in order for the body to heal and therefore help you to be more productive. Mother Nature has given us all the tools we need to extend our life and feel better. It is just a matter of taking the time to savor the moment.

The Keys to Longevity

If you want more quality of life and who doesn’t? I recommend incorporating Green Tea extracts into your daily routine. Green tea extract is the condensed or concentrated form of green tea just in different portions.

Extraction of the Camellia Sinensis leaf, originally from China, is placed in a solvent like water, alcohol, or even steam. This process draws out the catechins, or antioxidants, which are then condensed before drying. What’s left is a powder that can be made into an extract. Either drinking as a tea or taking as a capsule has many benefits that improves your chances of living healthier and longer.

A few of the many benefits of the green tea extract is controlling blood sugar levels and preventing liver disease which in turn slows down the aging process.

Which now leads us to Matcha Tea. This tea has also gained a lot of recognition lately and rightly so.

There are a few important factors that distinguish matcha from other green teas: how the plants are grown, how the leaves are processed, and how the tea itself is made. Tea bushes for matcha are grown in partial shade, prompting the leaves to produce more chlorophyll as a response to lower sunlight levels. This turns the leaves a darker green, increases the concentration of some nutrients, and slightly alters the taste.

Young leaves are hand-picked after growing for just a few weeks, after which they are steamed, de-stemmed, dried, and ground into a powder. This fine, verdant powder can then be whisked with water to make matcha tea.

While most teas are infusions, in which the tea leaves themselves are removed after steeping in hot water, matcha is mixed with water to create a suspension. Not only do the leaves contain more chlorophyll and antioxidants, but they’re also typically consumed with the drink, unlike an infusion.

There are different grades of matcha depending on the time of year it’s harvested. The highest-quality matcha, sometimes called ceremonial grade, is harvested in the spring.

Drinking Antioxidants Rich Teas Fights Free Radicals

Furthermore, green tea extract has 20 times more antioxidants than Vitamin C. These antioxidants are also called polyphenols which fight the negative free radicals that causes diseases. Polyphenol-rich beverages such as green tea are concentrated and easily absorbed. Therefore, I recommend choosing caffeinated tea as the decaffeination process may remove the polyphenols along with the caffeine.

Subsequently, different polyphenols will act differently in the body even though they are essentially all antioxidants. When polyphenols are consumed regularly over extended periods of time disease can be prevented. Ultimately maintaining high levels of polyphenols in your body and bloodstream throughout the day by drinking a green tea every few hours is optimal.

Blood levels of polyphenols peak soon after they are consumed, then decrease as they are metabolized or excreted from the body. Some polyphenols will not be absorbed into the bloodstream, but will merely pass through the digestive tract. Polyphenols are still being researched and many have not been discovered and are not fully understood yet.

We have come to know, however that polyphenols can be neutralized or destroyed by eating unhealthy free radicals such as fried foods, meats or refined foods. I would suggest buying only organically raised plants which are much higher in polyphenols and will protect you better against diseases creeping in!

Educate Yourself About Your Disease

I always encourage my clients to learn the most they can about any disease if they have been diagnosed or labeled because most diseases can be tamed or conquered.

Adding green tea extracts into your daily diet has proven to strengthen your immune system in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, natural weight loss as well as fight free radicals associated with cancer, infections and tooth decay.

There is no question that when you are under stress, your body will use up antioxidants polyphenols faster. However, when every part of your body is working correctly, it is easier to live in harmony with each other and live a more mindful and productive life.

Therefore, the next time you are feeling frazzled or uptight, perhaps it’s time to brew some green tea and relax to some inspirational music to bring you back into balance.

5 Easy Bio hacks for Energy and Cellular Renewal​

Here is a Free guide to discover how to eat for your mitochandria, hydrate deeply, get sunlight safely, practice mindful breathing, daily grounding and more.

If my stories have inspired, informed, or entertained you,

Your contribution helps support future travels, research, and storytelling from across the Four Corners region.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep the adventure alive.