Valor Essential Oil Blend: Empowering The Mind, Body, & Soul

For the next nine months, I will be sharing the benefits of the nine Young Living essential oils used in the Raindrop massage. The Raindrop massage is a technique used for detoxing the body as well as easing back pain and specific tension around the spinal area.  This massage combines the art of aromatherapy with the techniques of Vita Flex and massage in the application of essential oils to various parts of the body. Rain Drop Technique combines a revolutionary means of bringing balance and harmony to the body, spirit, and mind. I describe The Raindrop massage to my clients as “an experience rather than a massage, that will leave your body completely relaxed, refreshed and renewed.” The nine essential oils used in Raindrop are applied on the bottom of the feet as well as massaged into the back and dropped along the spine, hence; the Raindrop effect. The first oil applied in this particular massage, used to help balance the body’s energy and calm the nerves, is Valor. The other eight oils include: Thyme, Basil, Peppermint, Oregano, Wintergreen, Cypress, Marjoram, and  Aroma Seiz.

Valor  balances and relaxes the physical body and works to strengthen the spirit by improving spinal problems such as scoliosis. A blend of Frankincense, Tanactin, Spruce and Rosewood, Valor releases a strong, yet soothing aroma, pleasing to both men and women. Personally, I love Valor Roll-on! Whenever I start to feel anxious, stressed or worried, I roll this oil on the crown of my head and take a few deep breaths. Immediately, my negative emotions fade, I feel more self-confident, and I can think much more clearly. During my couples’ massage class, I like to diffuse Valor to ease any anxiety in the room. Overall, this empowering essential oil will make a positive impact on your life!

Here’s how Young Living describes Valor: Valor is an empowering combination of therapeutic-grade essential oils that works with both the physical and spiritual aspects of the body to increase feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem in the face of adversity. Renowned for its strengthening qualities, Valor enhances an individual’s internal resources. It has also been found to help energy alignment in the body.

Here are a few ways that you can use Valor at home:

• Diffuse for any anxiety, phobia or sleeplessness.
• Massage into neck and shoulder region to help release any built-up tension.
• Rub on bottom of feet to help balance and align the body.
• Drop onto wrists or crown of the head to ease anxiety and yield emotional strength and confidence.
• Apply to bruised areas to reduce trauma to the area.

To experience any of our relaxing and therapeutic massages including the Raindrop massage or to purchase Young Living Essential Oils, please contact the Spa Concierge at Seasons – The Spa: (318) 255-1155.

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This post was provided by Licensed Massage Therapist and Facial Reflexologist, Bethany Cox. 

About Bethany:

A graduate of Cedar Creek School, Centenary College of LA (Health and Exercise Science) and Natural Health Institute in Nashville, TN (Massage Therapy), Bethany has many talents! Besides being a smartie (she has always made great grades) and a fabulous massage therapist at Seasons – The Spa, she is an accomplished pianist and golfer. She even played golf in college. Bethany enjoys setting goals for herself and achieving them. Her favorite moment? A hole-in-one! Her favorite way to decompress after a long day? Scrapbooking, exercising, and practicing deep breathing for relaxation.

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo Without Sinking Your Healthy-Eating Habits

A Cinco de Mayo That Won’t Sink Your Healthy-Eating Habits by Valerie Costanza, RD Cinco De Mayo is a fun celebration but enjoying it without all of the calories and fat is a difficult challenge. Mexican food from restaurants is typically cooked in lard and covered in cheese and sour cream. Not only are the portions large, but starting your meal with fried chips and salsa, guacamole, and cheese dip is not doing you any favors. Knowing what to order is important so you can enjoy Mexican flavors without sabotaging your healthy intentions. Without knowing the nutritional information and analyses, it can be difficult to determine just what is in the Mexican food you order from a local establishment. The following are helpful ordering hints. But keep in mind that each restaurant may prepare the same dishes differently, and you may need to ask how dishes are prepared to ensure you are ordering a healthier option. Skip the chips at the beginning of the meal and ask for a side salad. If a tortilla is part of your meal, choose corn or whole wheat tortilla instead of a flour tortilla. Avoid refried beans and choose black beans, borracho beans or frijoles a la charra which will have less fat. Eat only half of the beans and rice served. Healthier ordering options include: Fajitas Chili Enchiladas with red sauce or salsa Grilled fish or meat dishes Enjoy this Mexican dish with a side salad and a small amount of guacamole or your favorite dressing. Top the fajitas with plain yogurt instead of sour cream. Beef Fajitas Ingredients 1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon salt Ground black pepper, to taste 12 ounces beef sirloin, select grade, cut into strips 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long 1 red onion, cut into strips 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips 4 whole-wheat tortillas, about 8 inches in diameter, warmed in the microwave 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 medium tomatoes, diced 2 cups shredded lettuce 1/2 cup salsa Directions In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Dredge the sirloin pieces in the seasonings, coating completely. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook the sirloin strips over medium heat until slightly pink, about 8 minutes. Add the onion and green pepper strips and saute until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. To serve, spread an equal amount of the meat and vegetable mixture on each tortilla. Top each with 1 tablespoon cheese, 1/4 of the diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup shredded lettuce and 2 tablespoons salsa. Fold both sides of each tortilla over the filling, and then roll to close. Serve immediately. This Nutrition Update is brought to you by Seasons. For a personalized nutrition consultation with Valerie Costanza, call Seasons at 255-3223 and schedule an appointment. Still hungry for more healthy recipes? Follow our Nibble On This pinboard on Pinterest!

The Top 5 Answers to the Question “What Do You Do at Seasons?”

Seasons. You might have heard the name.

And we’ve heard the question many times. But answering the question “What is it that you do at Seasons?” in one sentence is nearly impossible. So we’ll give you the top five answers instead.

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Answer #1: Seasons offers wellness from head-to-toe.

It all began with the idea that wellness is all-inclusive. Upon moving to the area and opening his clinic in 2006, Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Seasons’ founding physician, desired to offer his patients more than just a visit to the doctor and a prescription. Instead, real solutions to the nagging health problems that seemed unsolvable was his goal. That six-year journey resulted in a center for wellness from head-to-toe.

Comprised of both Seasons Wellness Clinic and Seasons – The Spa, Seasons offers a range of services that promote healthy living based on 5 Points of Wellness: nutrition, hormone balance, detoxification, inflammation reduction, and exercise. Seasons is conveniently located off Farmerville Highway at 1809 Northpointe Lane in Suites 103 and 202, in the 2-story building behind Portico Bar & Grill.

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Answer #2: Seasons provides leading-edge medical care based on the latest in science combined with the most natural approach possible.

Healthcare professionals, Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Dr. Jackie White, and Anna Stephens, WHNP, seek to provide the highest level of care for every client. Rather than a disease-focused approach, the healthcare team at Seasons strives to uncover the root cause of symptoms and conditions such as: abdominal fat, diabetes, difficulty losing weight, fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, joint pain, trouble sleeping, hot flashes, and many more.

The healthcare team begins with identifying your symptoms and, utilizing the most advanced diagnostic testing available, developing a wellness plan that will rid your body of toxins, recharge your energy, and reinvigorate your immune system. The result is elimination of the root cause of the myriad of symptoms and a return to a state of wellness. And when your body is functioning optimally, prevention and reversal of disease states is a by-product of that state of wellness.

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Answer #3: Seasons offers specific health programs such as the Wellness Weight Loss Program and Athlete Wellness Program.

Each of these programs use advanced metabolic testing and a natural approach for optimal results in two specific client groups: those who want to lose weight and those who wish to increase their athletic performance in a healthy and natural way. Each program features an individualized approach and includes testing and treatment to achieve goals set at the beginning of the program.

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Answer #4: Seasons serves as a beacon for healthy living in a state that ranks #2 in Unhealthiest States in America.

With a commitment to educate all of Louisiana about health and wellness, Seasons provides and shares the best, most scientifically accurate information available on a daily basis. Seasons has pioneered website and social media usage in the medical community. By developing a blog-based website before blogging was a household word, Seasons began building and gaining traction in the online world, and utilizes social media to share information that is dependable and has depth.

Join the online conversation about health and wellness. Read our blog, subscribe to our RSS feed, follow us on  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and catch the latest Wellness Lifestyle Report or Nibble On This recipe in your inbox. You can sign up for the e-newsletter and link to all Seasons’ social sites on our homepage.

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Answer #5: Seasons – The Spa offers renewal and rejuvenation without the traffic of the big city.

Do you ever just want to “get away” without going far away? Maybe you need a pick-me-up, a lift-me-up, or a fix-me-up. Seasons – The Spa provides a big-city spa experience in rural and scenic north central Louisiana with a highly-skilled and highly-trained staff.

• Bethany Cox, LMT, provides services including massage therapy, reflexology, and Smooth Shapes, a cellulite reduction treatment.
• Skin care experts Lisa Best and Joy Smith offer services ranging from European facials to microdermabrasions to hair reduction and removal to hydradermie lift, a non-surgical face-lift.
• Anna Stephens, WHNP, specializes in skin rejuvenation services such as Botox, Artefill, and Juvederm. Anna’s great disposition makes clients feel at ease, insuring a comfortable skin rejuvenation experience. Seasons also offers back-door service for those who want a more private consultation. Please call the Spa to arrange back-door service at 318-255-1155.

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Seasons also boasts the only infrared sauna in the area and offers individual sessions as well as packages for clients desiring the proven health benefits of infrared sauna. Fitness classes include Yoga, featuring certified Yoga instructor Ashley Moody, and Fit4Baby, with local fitness specialist Maryanne Smith. Classes are available in packages at convenient times for any schedule. Sauna and fitness classes are free for Spa Members. For more information about Spa Membership, visit the Spa Membership page on our website or give us a call at 318-255-1155. Keep up with the latest Spa specials by signing up for our e-mail list on our home page. Quarterly Beauty Bonuses come to your inbox and feature discounts and special offers on services and packages.

So did that answer the big question about what is Seasons?

Seasons is health, wellness, relaxation, rejuvenation, education and a whole lot more. For more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 318-255-3223 and speak with a customer relations specialist.

Confession #23: The Scheduled Escape of Inner Me

Sometimes I feel like unzipping. You know…setting the inner me free.

Inside is my inner me waiting to climb out of the suit the outer me is wearing.

Sounds like a science fiction movie, doesn’t it. The heroin, wearing the old lady disguise, unzips her flesh and the youthful and energetic younger version of herself emerges, old-lady flesh and tired clothing dropping to the floor.

There are days when my inner me longs to be set free.

She dreams of a beach vacation and a good book.

She dreams of a long soak in a jacuzzi tub with no knocks at the door followed by, “Mom…I need…”

She dreams of a weekend away with the hubby, sitting on a porch overlooking a lake, temperatures in the mid-60s, a bottle of wine, an outdoor fireplace, and the sound of crickets.

She dreams of free time to be more organized for the busy times. You know, organized closet, organized sock drawer, organized catch-all drawer in the kitchen.

She dreams of an hour a day to practice piano and discover new favorite pieces and composers.

She dreams of never being rushed or in a hurry, but instead having the appropriate amount of time to get things done right.

She dreams of a Wal-Mart where the lines are short. (Just had to slip that one in.)

At our house, we have frequent conversations about super-hero powers. If you were a super-hero, what would your super-power be? And with my daughter anywhere near, you are going to get multiple hilarious answers.

One day, her answer was, “I’d have super-skates and could skate anywhere as fast as I want.”

On Saturday evening, Reagan and I enjoyed dinner at the American Girl Doll bistro in Dallas, Texas with her Girl Scout troop. They sold a bazillion (exactly how many is that?) boxes of cookies and earned a weekend trip to Dallas which included ice skating, swimming at the hotel, and the magical visit to the American Girl Doll store.

On the table was a small gift box filled with questions. The questions circulated the table and served as great conversation starters. The best and most discussed question was, “What super-power would you choose? To fly? Or to be invisible?”

Of course, Reagan and I had fun with that question because it is frequent conversation between us. She chose flying. But I chose being invisible. I’m pretty sure it had something to do with that inner me who’s trying to get out. Inner me needs a little peace and quiet, and being invisible could be a handy tool for getting away without going far away.

So what does your inner me say to you?

Perhaps your inner me is like mine. She needs some rejuvenation. I think that’s typical of women in my age group (and men, too). We are moving through the busiest time of our lives. We are juggling the activities of children, spouses, extended family, friends, work. There’s not much left over for ourselves.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as my children have gotten older and busier is that I need a little time to unwind. And setting aside that time is the priority that gets pushed aside most often.

So what to do? Even if it’s only 30 minutes, that investment in your own rejuvenation will pay dividends the rest of your week. And everything will get in the way of your rejuvenation time unless it is SCHEDULED and you have ACCOUNTABILITY for that time.

So go ahead. Schedule a facial. Schedule a masssage. Schedule a yoga class. Schedule lunch with a friend. Schedule a girls’ night. Schedule a mani/pedi with your daughter. But do something.

Your inner me is waiting…

Elizabeth Haynes Drewett: a hormonal woman rumored to be somewhere between the age of 30 and 50. Her job: Managing Partner of SPRING Media USA, a boutique marketing firm in Ruston, LA. Her training: BA in journalism degree from LSU and a BFA in piano performance from LA Tech. Her life: wife of C.P. Drewett, Jr. and mother to Langdon, age 13, and Reagan, age 7. Her passions: the state of Louisiana – as Miss Louisiana 1992 she devoted her year of service to breast cancer education; lover of music – choir director and piano teacher; lover of a good game – job experiences include PING Golf Equipment and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Her favorite things: an underdog who overachieves, a good laugh, a good book, a good word, and a good hair day. Follow her on Twitter or Pinterest and see what she’s up to today.

Identifying Genetically Modified Produce at the Supermarket by Tracy L. Carmack

For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemical inputs), the Price Look-Up (PLU) code on the sticker of fresh produce consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GE) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.

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