Great Evil Dane... by Jac

It's a beautiful day for a ride, or so I thought.

A friend and I recently joked that I get hurt just so I'll have something to blog about. Not exactly true, but I can see how it would cause one to wonder… Ready for the latest?

Tuesday morning last week was gorgeous outside—I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to go cycling in the warm, overcast weather. Although I miss my Utah hills, I can't deny that the flat, Idaho country is quite breathtaking at times. I couldn't have been happier as I breathed in the beautiful country and adored one charming yard, in particular, as I passed it by. 

Two minutes later, my emotions boiled as angry tears spilled from my eyes and my upper lateral, and slightly posterior, left thigh seared in pain. The madder I got, the worse it hurt.

What happened to cause such a dramatic shift? A big dang dog happened. So much for peace, tranquility, and an effective workout. 

I noticed him out of the corner of my eye at the same moment he saw me and took off running. For a second, I thought I was safe because there was a fence, but when I glanced back and saw him race through an opening, fear gripped my heart. I started praying out loud, pleading for protection from this animal as tall as my bike.

Upper lateral, and slightly posterior thigh.

Before I knew it, he was galloping alongside me, slobber flinging out of his mouth. Gross! I soon noticed he was running me off the road. Seriously!? I knew if I lost the pavement, I'd most likely flip—I was in low gear and cruising along pretty fast. I edged my way back toward the center of the road. 

He growled fiercely, viscously turned his head, and sunk his teeth into my leg. At that point, I'd felt completely abandoned from heavenly help and began my attempt to talk the beast down. He continued growling and kept at my pace for what seemed like forever. I added more verbal pleas for angelic assistance. 

I had the distinct impression to keep the pace—if I were to slow down, who knows what he would do? And if I were to speed up, I believe he would consider it a challenge and take me down and out. 

Forearm bruising. No broken skin.

Suddenly, he went for my forearm. I jerked away and successfully maintained balance on my bike. I may not have been quick enough to escape the bite, but luckily he didn't get through the skin this time. He attempted a couple more bites, failed, and then he slowed down just enough to go for my back tire. Devil dog!!

Thankfully, he missed, lost interest, turned around and headed home. As I peddled away, I wondered why I hadn't been protected. I said my prayers before my ride, just as I always do… Those thoughts didn't last, because I could see several ways in which that could have turned out worse than it did, and because of heavenly help, I still made it home safely.

I've learned a few good things from this experience:

1) Tetanus shots are a good thing and bring great peace of mind, for there is very little that can be done naturally if a person happens to get tetanus. (I was kind of freaking out on Sunday because I hadn't been able to get my booster yet...)

2) We are never left alone. There is always a greater power there to help, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. You'll see when you look back on a difficult experience, trust me.

3) Keep the pace in life, even when it gets scary or hard. If you slow down, you become subject to distraction and other things that would prevent you from reaching your final destination. And if you go too fast, you become a target to those things that can easily drag you down.

4) I'm grateful for my unbendable quality of stubbornness and for my ability to mask my emotions in the midst of a crazy situation. Otherwise, I would have been lunch for that beast.

Nature Heals... by Jac

Kaunala Trail, Oahu

I've always known deep, down inside that nature has a unique ability to bring healing in many capacities. In fact, it's something I've been philosophizing over for years, but especially beginning my senior year at Brigham Young University–Idaho, as I slaved to bring my BFA (emphasis Graphic Design) project to life.

The BFA class was set-up for two semesters: one semester to figure out concepts and logistics, and one semester to execute the physical product of our creation, whatever it may be. The task was daunting throughout, with constant deadlines staring me in the face. The work moved along slowly and almost reluctantly, yet it was quite intense. Every attempt to move forward drained me physically and emotionally. 

Looking back, I realize it paralleled the relationship I was in at that time. I was supposed to be married at the end of BFA semester one, and my original plan was to plow straight through the rest of school. I just wanted to be done! However, my fiance threw a huge (and might I add, selfish) fit. Too exhausted to battle it out, I raised my white flag and applied for deferment. BYU–Idaho granted his wish and approved my taking summer semester off and finishing up in the fall.

A few weeks later, the truth came out. Apparently, he'd been having little talks with my family members, especially my dad. He was mistakenly confident they would agree with his opinion that finishing school was a waste of my time. He revealed to them his scheme to marry me and whisk me away to Texas, in attempt to stop me from completing the degree I'd been working so hard for. So… everything he'd ever told me was a lie! Needless to say, that relationship ended pretty quick—one month before the wedding.

I was hurt and betrayed by someone I had loved and placed trust in. The hardest part, however, was losing my best friend (his sister). I haven't a clue what he told his family, but it must have been awful, because they attacked fiercely. I received several venomous emails from his family. Three were from her, my supposed best friend, who was now striking the lowest of blows. And she could, because she knew me better than most. And she knew what would hurt me the deepest. And wow! She did a terrific job…

I had to get away. Now I had an entire summer wide open, with nothing to keep my mind off of everything. It was all such a blur. The next thing I knew, I was living in the avenues in SLC with my Dad's cousin and his family, interning at Skogen group, and working for Chevron Credit Bank. I had an incredible view of the city, so at night I'd stay up late either reading books for distraction or writing in my journal, contemplating how to move forward.

Emotionally, things didn't start progressing until my cousin Ashley came home for the summer and we began running trails every morning. That's when I began to understand the true healing power of nature. The dirt, rocks, twigs and leaves provided excellent grounding. The mountains gave me unsurpassed strength to cope. The brilliant sun warmed my disconsolate heart. The sunflowers that lined the trails inspired me to always turn my head toward light and truth. The sky revealed endless possibilities as the clouds took shape. The creeks and rivers taught me to flow with life—in, over and around any obstacle.

The groundwork of my BFA project completed itself this way. As I ran, knowledge would stream into my mind. It would stay there, until I returned home and emptied my head into my sketchbook. Day after day. By the end of summer, I was ready to successfully proceed to phase 2 of my BFA.

If you are in the midst of a struggle, get yourself to nature. She will help you to overcome the things that now seem so unsurmountable. She will heal you, if you listen to her.  

Zone Balance Therapy and Synapses

For many years I felt disconnected and confused and I never understood why. During We Do Feet Seminars, Lisa, a fellow classmate was zoning me and as she integrated my right and left-brain I felt a powerful connection. I had never felt anything quite like it but knew that something amazing had just happened that had to do with my brain! I now feel connected, whole and complete. Could it be that the synapses in my brain were not communicating properly?

Long ago it was believed that the brain we developed as a child was the brain we were stuck with forever. The neural connections and chemicals we ended up with would doom us with negative thoughts, behaviors and bad habits. The human power to change was ignored leaving one to feel hopeless.

Luckily, a new breed of science showed us that the mind has the power to change our physical reality. There is hope indeed and Zone Balance Therapy can assist that change.

What are synapses? A synapse is a specialized junction where a neuron communicates with a target cell. The neuron releases a chemical transmitter that diffuses across a small gap and activates special sites called receptors on the target cell (www.medterms.com). Simply put, it allows the electrical activity in one nerve cell to influence the electrical activity of another.

Several times when zoning I have felt the neurons in the brain are misfiring, causing miscommunication at the synapse on some clients. After 3 zones, a 10 year-old boy diagnosed with ADD, reports he is able to focus in school and he feels better.

My husband, Charlie, suffered from several mini strokes and was experiencing memory loss. After being zoned regularly, he claims his memory has improved and he now enjoys clarity of thought and mind.

An active 86 year old, my beautiful mother sometimes feels overwhelmed with the day to day duties of caring for home and yard and keeping up with my 94 year old dad! At one point I was very concerned that she was showing signs of forgetfulness. Monthly zones have helped her mind stay “sharp as a tack”, and the fear of memory loss is past.

Regular Foot Zone Balance therapy promotes balance and homeostasis, putting the mind and body in a parasympathetic state which assists healing. I love the benefits of the zone.

Oops! I did it again... by Jac

My pretty little gash. It's quite deeper
than it looks! Bruises just taking form.

Remember that one time I told you I had an injury free summer and I was so proud? I thought I had it all figured out—at least the "moving forward in life" stuff. I thought my knee injuries were over! Unfortunately, recent events would suggest otherwise. 

Here's the story: I went down to St. George with some great buddies for Memorial Day weekend. We decided to check out the Red Cliffs hike close to Leeds. The trail has many pools and awesome vertical rocks. 

We reached one point where we had to scale some steep rocks in order to stay dry. (If it hadn't been such a chilly, windy day, we would have just worn our swimsuits and planned to get wet.) My incredible Khombu shoes successfully transported me where I needed to go quickly and safely. Julie, however, was having traction issues. She thought if she climbed a little higher where it wasn't as steep, she would be able to climb down without a hitch. 

Nope. She was stuck. Jason, the one guy in our group, was trying to help her down by holding her feet to give her traction, but it just wasn't enough. Since I was already on the other side, I stepped in and grabbed her hand. She shuffled around a bit to find a confident step and went for it. 

She immediately slipped and slid downward at full speed and out of Jason's reach. I jerked her arm forward to save her from falling into the water. Consequently, it flung me off balance and I had to throw my weight forward to save myself. Next thing I knew, she was being slung back again and was about to go down, so I forcefully propelled us both forward to secure our position safely on the rocks. (It sounds much more dramatic telling it than if you had seen it happen- lol!)

The Red Cliffs hike.

Somewhere in that mess of events, I gashed, scraped and bruised up my knee. Luckily, I had brought Lavender and Yarrow essential oils and used them stopped the bleeding straightaway. Needless to say, I had a difficult time toughing out the rest of the hike with a disabled knee. 

The next day, frustration set in. How did I get taken out again? (There won't be any running, cycling, or zumba-ing for a little while…) Maybe I over-think and over-analyze, but I believe everything happens for a reason. There are lessons to be learned in everything, if only we will open our eyes.

I spent the next few days racking my brain… What am I afraid of? How am I not wanting or allowing myself to move forward? I keep drawing blanks. Honestly, I feel like I'm in a really good place right now. Nothing comes up.

Interestingly, one of my besties sent me a picture last night. She had shredded her leg sliding into third base. She was one of the buddies I'd just spent the weekend with. I had zoned her the day after my injury and guess what one of the major emotions she was holding on to was… Fear of moving forward.  

Hmmm… Is it possible that I was taking on her stuff before I even knew what her stuff was? I think so! Sometimes, I will find myself so melancholy one day, then later find out she was feeling the same way at the same time. Even hundreds of miles away, we have a special connection. When we care deeply for someone, it's easy to take on their stuff inadvertently, because of our desire to help them and to take away their aches and pains and sufferings. 

So what's the lesson learned from my recent experience? Don't take on other people's stuff!! My zoning instructor always said, "It's not my pig, it's not my farm."

All healing comes through one, Jesus Christ. He is the one who lifts the heavy burdens, not me. I can be understanding, compassionate, and empathetic. I can be an instrument to help people to heal. However, it's not my job to take other people's stuff and that takes conscious effort sometimes—at least until it becomes part of my nature.

I am grateful for an experience to keep me aware. And I can't wait to get back in the game. My mind and body are craving a good run... I guess I'd better get zoned again for quicker healing time!!

Getting the Most out of Zone Balance Therapy

As Zone Balance Therapists, we prepare ourselves to give our clients the best zoning experience possible. We strive for balance, a clear mind, and pure intent to set up a healing environment where our clients feel welcome, relaxed and inspired.

Zone Balance Therapy is a newer healing modality that most people have not yet experienced. We want our clients to be prepared for a positive and amazing zone. So, here are some tips and suggestions to make the most out of your Zone Balance Therapy Session:

1. Hydrate. Sufficient water intake is vital to zoning. We advise our clients to drink [water] half of your body weight in ounces during the first 24 hours after a zone. However, we recommend getting a head start on your hydration BEFORE your zone. Hydration helps the flow of energy and aids flushing out any toxins that may be released during the zone. 

2. Clean feet. Make sure your feet are washed and dried well before your zone. Avoid the use of any lotions. Most people are very aware and sometimes embarrassed of the condition of their feet, before a zone. Don’t worry!  We have seen it all…missing toenails, swollen feet and ankles, bunions, crooked toes, scars, deformities… Feet tell a story as much as a person’s hands! We massage great smelling essential oils, with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties onto the feet before we begin your zone. 

3. Pray/Meditate. Have an idea of what you would like out of the zone, whether it is emotional release, physical alignment, raised energy, or even a relaxing foot rub. Prepare to have an open mind and heart to the many possibilities that exist within Zone Balance Therapy.

4. Oxygenate. Take a moment to really breathe! Fill your lungs with oxygen and slowly release all the air you inhaled and more. Imagine the oxygen filling your lungs and then flowing into the rest of your body, up to your brain and throughout all your extremities—arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes. Oxygen, like hydration, helps energy flow and toxin release.

5. Understand. We are NOT doctors! Although, we may be able to feel certain areas where blockages may exist. We are not authorized to diagnose, prognosticate or prescribe.

6. Remember. The journey to greater health and healing is an individual one. I believe the Enso: Intrinsically Awaken belief statement puts it best. “When the mind is free to let the soul create, we become aware that our healing belongs to us.” Zone Balance Therapy is a tool to help balance to your body, mind and spirit. We are more than willing to share thoughts and personal experiences that may help you on your way. But, remember zoning is only one piece of your wellness puzzle. The rest is up to you!

As Zone Balance Therapists and clients, we can work together to make your zoning experience the very best.

Congratulations, once again, to the winners of our giveaway! We are so excited that each of you responded within the 48 hour time period! We look forward to giving you your zones. And to the rest of you, thank you for entering. We hope you will consider contacting us soon for a Zone Balance Therapy session or find a Zoner near you to begin your journey to greater health, healing and balance.

Natural Sunscreen Option

It's getting warm outside! Well, sort of. It's really not today. And it probably won't be tomorrow either. Or the next day. It's Idaho, so you really never know what to expect. Regardless, my body is craving the sunshine! I probably need some serious Vitamin D. Now if this blasted wind would just go away…

Confession: sometimes I plan my cycling and/or running workouts in the hottest part of the day, just so I can soak up some rays. Yes, I've even been known to do it in 90 degrees or hotter.

Call me crazy. Everyone else does. In my defense, there is something incredibly healing and regenerating about the beautiful sun. It warms my heart, my soul, and clears my cluttered mind. 

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten risks of UV rays, but I'm not always the brightest marker in the box when it comes to protecting my skin. After my first sunburn this year (oopsy!), my mom suggested helichrysum to help repair the damage. As I was doing a little research on the oil, I discovered that not only does it help regenerate damaged tissue, but many cultures have used helichrysum as a sunscreen. What!? Sign me up. 

Monday of last week was a beautiful day, so my mom, sister, and I decided to head to Heise Hot Springs for the afternoon with my nieces and nephew. I knew in the back of my mind I should have taken some sunscreen, but I didn't have any. Thankfully, my mom had packed the helichrysum, without even knowing about it's protective qualities from the sun's rays. 

I informed her of the info I had read and we decided to give it a try, diluting with coconut oil which is supposed to block about 20% of the UV rays itself. We were out for at least two and a half hours. The sun was hot. We didn't get sunburned, unless you count the tiny square on my back that the helichrysum missed. 

I'm lovin' me some natural sunscreen!!*

*This is not total sun protection and I haven't come across any studies that prove anything. It's just something I tried that worked out well for me and thought I'd share. 

Announcing Giveaway Winners!!!

Thank you to all who took the time to enter our giveaway and share Enso: Intrinsically Awaken. We hope you will continue to follow our blog and share our posts and Facebook page with others. 

This is so exciting!!! After assigning numbers in order of entry for our giveaway, we used the Random Number Generator from Random.org to find our winners!

REMEMBER: WINNERS MUST CONTACT US 48 HOURS FROM THE TIME THIS IS POSTED. 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

SHANNON STEFFLER, MINDY, NATALIE, AND PAMELA!!!

Gift #1 (Jeri):  Shannon Steffler--"I think foot zoning is fasinating! I've only had one done and didn't feel anything major at that point, but I'd love to do it as a profession someday if I can find my own testimony. I'd love to have that for my kids with sicknesses and other issues that come up :-D I'm in IF."

Gift #2 (Jada):  Mindy--"I have wanted to try zone therapy for a while now. I have a hard time with people touching my feet....I tend to laugh every time someone touches them! But, I would like to see if I could get some pain relief through zone therapy!"

Gift #3 (Jaclyn):  Natalie--"Though I've never done foot zoning, it just seems like little things lately in my life keep leading towards alternative healing, and this just makes sense. I don't even know very much about it, but I believe in it because I believe in the foot zoners, which have all been such dear people in my life for over 20 years (has it really been that long?! Yup, I guess so!). I'm grateful to be so local to such amazing ladies, so I would LOVE to win one of these giveaways! One thing I've learned recently in life that if it's meant to be, it'll happen, so I know that whomever wins, they were meant to. What an awesome event!"

Gift #4 (Essential Oils Package):  Pamela--"I just had my first Zone last night. After a week of struggling with asthma and allergies, I slept well for the first time last night. Jaclyn also shared a tip with me for treating asthma with peppermint oil that has worked wonders. Thank you!"

1. One winner will receive three (3) Zone Balance Therapy Sessions [non-transferable] by Jeri over a 6 week period. Valued at $120. *Local to South Eastern Idaho. Must be willing to travel to Enso: Intrinsically Awaken for services in Rigby, ID. 

2. One winner will receive three (3) Zone Balance Therapy Sessions [non-transferable] by Jada over a 6 week period. Valued at $120. *Local to South Eastern Idaho. Must be willing to travel to Enso: Intrinsically Awaken for services in Rigby, ID. 

3. One winner will receive three (3) Zone Balance Therapy Sessions [non-transferable] by Jaclyn over a 6 week period. Valued at $120.  *Local to South Eastern Idaho. Must be willing to travel to Enso: Intrinsically Awaken for services in Rigby, ID or Rexburg, ID. 

4. One NON-local winner will receive one 10 ml Lavendar essential oil, one 10 ml Lemon essential oil, one 10 ml Tranquility essential oil blend, one 4 oz. Coconut carrier oil, AND one Butterfly Essential Oils book, Butterfly Miracles by LaRee Westover. Valued at $46.