Cover of Forgiveness

Every January, I look back at the previous year and attempt to evaluate it honestly. You know how that works. It’s the hard look in the mirror. What were the best moments of 2011? What were the worst? Where do I go from here?

I’ll be honest. Most years, my resolutions are very personal in nature. Exercise more. Eat healthier. Accomplish X, Y and Z. Spend more time with the ones I love. How about you? I think it’s our human nature to look at the New Year as a time of renewal and creating a better version of ourselves.

On a recent trip to Phoenix, AZ, where my husband and I lived for over 14 years, I was overwhelmed as I visited with friends I haven’t seen in several years. The universal theme of many conversations was the pain and suffering that comes our way as we journey through our lives. It startled me.

The older I get, the more I realize that we are all human. My friends in Phoenix are certainly not unique in their suffering. Along with our humanity comes broken promises, hurt feelings, misunderstandings, anger, bitterness, resentment. The pain of life is universal.

The healing from that pain is not.

I’ve known many in my life, including myself, who have held onto bitterness and anger. It colors one’s outlook with shades of grey, resulting in dark and desparate feelings of general malaise, depression, anxiety as well as very real physical issues such as high blood pressure. Even more painful is the continued bleeding of that emotional wound onto those around. The hurt begins to wound others, too. Maybe it’s family relationships. Maybe your children. Emotional wounds are far-reaching.

The Mayo Clinic offers “Forgiveness: Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness” as a suggestion for maintaining a healthy lifestyle on their website. Surprising, isn’t it, that a clinic as well-regarded as The Mayo Clinic would suggest that forgiveness could lead to a healthier life? They are certainly not in the business of healing the spiritual life of their patients, but they acknowledge, by virtue of publishing the article, that there is a physical benefit to ending emotional pain.

Interesting that one of the final acts of Jesus was to plea for forgiveness on behalf of those who were putting him to death. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Jesus said as he hung from the cross. [Luke 23:34] Even if you are not a follower of Christ, you can’t help but ponder the last words of a man who lived a life such as his. In the midst of unspeakable physical suffering, he held no resentment for being wrongly and unjustly tried and put to death. He simply prayed, as an act of intercession, for them.

Image via Wikipedia

I’ll be honest with you. Praying for and having a heart of forgiveness for someone who has wronged me is not my natural reaction. The journey from anger to forgiveness is a longer one for me, of course depending on the severity of the injustice. But what if…

…what if we offered complete and total forgiveness to someone…someone who wronged you in a huge way. What if?

I do not think we as humans have the capability of continually offering true forgiveness. Becoming forgivers is part of the spiritual journey God intends for us to take. And as we learn to forgive as He forgives us, then we will be forgiven as well. [For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14]

And so, as I dip my toe into 2012, my resolution is not my usual variety of live healthier, exercise more, laugh louder, or live better. Instead, I resolve to offer forgiveness more freely, even to the unapologetic wrongdoer.

In the words John MacArthur, “Forgiveness unleashes joy. It brings peace. It washes the slate clean. It sets all the highest values of love in motion. In a sense, forgiveness is Christianity at its highest level.”

May God give me the capacity to forgive.

Elizabeth Haynes Drewett

Elizabeth Haynes Drewett is a hormonal woman rumored to be somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50 and is the Managing Partner of SPRING Media USA, a boutique marketing firm in Ruston, LA that boasts clients such as Seasons, The Health Hut, and Portico. She received a BA in journalism degree from LSU and a BFA in piano performance from LA Tech. She’s the wife of C.P. Drewett, Jr. and mother to Langdon, age 13, and Reagan, age 7. As Miss Louisiana 1992, she devoted her year of service to breast cancer education. She’s a lover of music (choir director and piano teacher) and a lover of a good game (job experiences include PING Golf Equipment and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns). Her favorite things are an underdog who overachieves, a good laugh, a good book, a good word, and a good hair day. Follow her on Twitter @edrewett.

Dr. Nathan Goodyear

Between Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, there’s no denying that hearts and February go hand-in-hand. This month, as we celebrate the things that make our hearts melt, let’s also think about preventing heart disease with the 4 Pillars of Heart Health: Minerals, CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and L-Carnitine.

Not only is Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) one of the most widespread and costly problems in the U.S., it is among the most preventable. Like any other part of the body, the heart requires preventive care to ensure it will operate at its best. These days I see more preventive care for cars than for the heart. Prevention is not early detection. It is identifying those at risk and instituting therapy to actually prevent the disease. And while early detection and treatment is needed and saves lives, we need also to focus on preventing CVD altogether.

Current statistics on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD):

•   33.5% (149 million) of US adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
•   8% (18.3 million) of the US adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes
•   67% (34% of which are obese [149.3 million]) of US adults are either obese or overweight

These 2012 statistics tell us that we are not gaining much ground in the battle against heart disease.

So, what is the heart? The heart is complex organ, but essentially it is a big hunk of muscle. The heart is responsible for pumping the blood to the lungs to be oxygenated and then deliver that oxygenated blood throughout the body. To pump that oxygenated blood, the heart needs lots, and lots of energy (ATP). The heart uses the “power house” of the cell, called mitochondria, to generate all this needed energy.

How much energy does the heart make? The heart makes enough energy, everyday, to drive a truck 20 miles. That mileage, over an average lifespan, will get you to the moon and back. The ability of mitochondria within the heart (which is muscle) to generate energy is critical to life. In fact, the result of compromised mitochondria is aging and death. The lack of ability to produce energy, actually triggers apoptosis (cell death). Enough cell death equals organ death, which results in the body’s death. Obviously, this is not what we want. Mitochondria are crucial to the heart’s ability to make energy and avoid all the, well…unintended consequences.

At Seasons Wellness Clinic, we focus on the 4 Pillars of Heart Health which support mitochondrial function.

1. Minerals

•  Magnesium is a nutrient. Magnesium is needed for more enzyme reactions than any other nutrient, which makes it extremely important.
•  B Vitamins give us energy. Why? One reason is B vitamins are co-factors in energy production. Many of the B vitamins are co-factors in the Kreb’s cycle, another very important pathway for energy production.

2. CoQ10 is critical in energy production. CoQ10 is a carrier protein between complex I and complex II of the electron transport chain (ETC). The ETC is where your body makes most of the ATP (energy). CoQ10 is an antioxidant as well.

3. Alpha Lipoic Acid is very important in the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex. This enzyme complex is very important in the first steps of energy production from glucose, a process called glycolysis. Alpha Lipoic Acid, like CoQ10, is an antioxidant.

4. L-Carnitine is involved in the “fat shuttle.” Carnitine is involved in how the cell shuttles fat into the mitochondria for energy production. You can see how a compromised “fat shuttle” can effect energy production and fat production. L-carnitine, too, is an antioxidant.

Not only do we want to evaluate these critical components (and yes, we can test for these essential molecules), but we want to prevent any compromise to their function. A major cause of component malfunction in the body’s processes is mineral depletion, and the #1 cause of mineral depletion is prescription drugs.

To demonstrate my point, let’s use Metformin and Statin drugs as examples. First, Metformin, a good prescription drug for Diabetes, is known to deplete the body of Magnesium, B12, folic acid, CoQ10.  And second, Statin drugs, for cholesterol, are known as disruptors of CoQ10. Ever wonder why those on statin therapies complain of muscle pains/cramps?  If you poisoned your muscle’s ability to make energy, you would do the same. I am not opposed to these medications, it is just very important that we understand that a patient with Diabetes and high cholesterol (closely linked) must avoid therapies that actually worsen the problems.

To help the heart live long and strong, remember the 4 Pillars of Heart Health. There are four major vessels of the heart as well as four major obstacles to heart health. For more information about heart health, specialized testing, and medical-grade supplements, contact a Patient Relations Specialist at Seasons Wellness Clinic at (318) 255-3223.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Make her melt with a thoughtful gift from Seasons - The Spa!

OK guys…let’s flashback to Valentine’s Day 2011. It’s 5 p.m. and you are on your way home from work when you notice a vendor on the side of the road selling balloons and stuffed bears out of the back of his trunk. Shoot! She has been dropping hints all week but you have somehow forgotten to “do something special” for her. So you pull into the local Walgreen’s because surely they have something you could buy her for Valentine’s Day. Whew! You aren’t the only guy sifting through picked over cards and candy.

There aren’t many options but you think to yourself, “Hey, she will never know I bought this last minute plus she will LOVE this Sponge Bob card and tinfoil-covered chocolate rose.” You get home and present her with the drugstore treasures only to find out that she – in fact – could tell you put little thought into her gift and her face is getting that look right before she says “I’m fine” and starts vacuuming really fast. And, well…you remember how the rest of the night went!

Don’t be a stupid cupid! Give her a gift that we guarantee will knock her socks off (any other article of clothing is up to you)! Here are 10 Valentine’s Day gifts from Seasons – The Spa that will show her you are thinking outside of the box (of chocolates).

• The Dream Gift: Spa Membership. With the Spa Membership, she can pamper herself all year long with services like monthly massages, unlimited yoga classes, sauna sessions, and more! Starting at only $60 per month, we have 3 three unique membership plans to help her de-stress on a regular basis.
• The Romantic Gift: Couples Massage Class. Throw out the usual plans and join us on Valentine’s Day from 5-6:30 p.m. for a class in massage. Learn how to release tension in your partner’s arm, legs, hands and feet and use compression techniques on the torso. Only $35 per couple [$25 for Spa Members]. Class includes door prizes, hors d’oeuvres and wine from Portico Bar & Grill, and a goodie bag. Reservation required (We had to make your responsible for something).
• The Gift of Relaxation: Hot Stone Massage. Relax and enjoy a complete mind, body, and soul treatment with the benefits of a deep tissue massage without the deep pressure. This massage promotes healing and well-being on all levels by using hot stones. 60 minutes, $80.
• Gift For Him: Man’s Facial. This relaxing facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, aromatherapy, steam and extractions as well as special treatment for the beard area. 60 minutes, $65.
• The Beautiful Gift: Liftosome Facial. This firming, radiance-boosting treatment uses a thermal mask that shapes the facial features and diffuses energizing concentrates of Vitamin C and Ginseng. These active ingredients combine with a warming effect and fill the skin with new energy, restore its elasticity and regenerate new cells. 75 minutes, $95.
• The Perfect Gift: A Gift Card for Spa Services of her choice. She keeps saying she hates those crow’s feet around her eyes, but if you’re afraid a gift certificate for Botox might send you to the doghouse, then a gift card will be perfect! Available in any denomination and as always, wrapping is complimentary.
• The Favorite Gift: Clarisonic Pro, Mia, or Mia 2. Starting at only $119, Clarisonic’s innovative technology vibrates at 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth your skin. In just one minute, the micro-massage action brush head cleans better than traditional manual cleansing. Available in a variety of colors (Oh, No! Choices! Our friendly spa staff will help you pick the perfect Clarisonic!).
• The Gift of Peace and Quiet: Yoga Classes. Flexibility, strength, muscle tone, pain prevention, stress reduction, and improved breathing. Yoga provides all of these benefits and much more! 12 classes are only $100.
• The Hot Couples Gift: Sauna Sessions. Our Sunlighten infrared sauna has completely transformed the meaning of the word “sauna.” The state-of-the-art, no-steam sauna offers 7 times the effectiveness of a traditional sauna with added amenities including a DVD player. At no extra charge, book the sauna for you and your lovely lady. Starting at $15 per session.
• The Waterworks Gift: Prenatal Massage. This gift is guaranteed to make her cry the happy tears. Now, the hormones might have something to do with it, too, but we know she will love that you thought of her during this special time. The soothing essence of massage allows expectant mothers to feel serene, healthy, and comforted while helping to relieve common ailments of pregnancy. Packages start at $45 for 30 minutes.

Norm Goodyear with his wife Helena

This guest post was provided by Norm Goodyear. Norm and his wife of 42 years, Helena, live in San Antonio, TX. Norm is a licensed Commercial Pilot for Federal Express. He and his wife began using Young Living essential oils in 2001 as a means of maintaining their health. Now, over 10 years later, Norm and Helena Goodyear use essential oils a their primary medicine for illnesses. Norm says his favorite Young Living products are NingXia Red, Valor, Believe, Deep Relief, and Pan Away essential oils, and True Source Vitamins and supplements.

“There can be miracles when you believe,” Mariah Carey sang in DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt. And that’s how I feel about the Young Living Essential Oil blend aptly named Believe. Believe is a blend of Idaho Balsam Fir, Rosewood and Frankincense essential oils, and is one essential oil blend that I never leave home without.

I don’t know about you, but my world seems to be getting more and more stressful every day. I’m a pilot by profession and as you can imagine there are many stressful moments in my day. To prepare I use Believe every morning. I put a couple drops on the bottoms of my feet and follow up with a couple more on my ears and neck. The Idaho Balsam Fir gives Believe a fragrant “woodsy” scent that I prefer to any men’s cologne.

Believe and other essential oils are available at Seasons

Here’s how Young Living describes Believe: Believe is an uplifting blend of essential oils that has a steadying, balancing effect on emotions, helping you to overcome feelings of despair and move beyond them to a higher level of awareness. It helps release the unlimited potential everyone possesses, making it possible to experience health, happiness, and vitality more fully. Believe can also provide feelings of strength and faith.

When you look at the properties of the individual oils in Believe, you see why this oil can promote these feelings described by Young Living. Idaho Balsam Fir opens emotional blocks and recharges vital energy.  It gives a feeling of strength and inner peace. Rosewood has a relaxing and empowering effect. It is very grounding and stabilizes emotional stress. Frankincense stimulates the limbic part of the brain, elevating the mind and helping to overcome stress and despair.

Believe essential oil blend by Young Living is definitely one of my favorites. And while I’m not promising miracles, if you would benefit from feelings of strength, peace, and empowerment, then you will really enjoy Believe.

This time of year it is really hard to find fresh produce. Most farmer’s markets are not meeting and many local farms don’t have much winter season produce. The local grocery store will have a variety of fruits and vegetables but your best bet is to stick to the produce that is in season. Seasonal fruits and vegetables will give you the most nutritional bang for your buck. Buying local is the first choice but if local is not available, opt for what’s in season.

Vegetables in season right now include:

• Greens (kale, collard and turnip)
• Brussel sprouts
• Winter squash
• Radishes

Roasted Red Peppers Stuffed with Kale and Brown Rice

And don’t forget about fruits. God is creative in His planning of seasonal foods and what nutrients are more abundant at certain times of
the year. Winter is full of fruits that are loaded with vitamin C to ward off colds and the flu. Fill up on your vegetables for meals and have oranges, mandarins, clementines and grapefruit for dessert.

Roasted Red Peppers Stuffed with Kale and Brown Rice

Ingredients

Peppers:

• 3 medium red bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Filling:

• 8 ounces kale, (6 cups lightly packed), trimmed
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup cooked short-grain brown rice
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, divided
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. To prepare peppers: Preheat oven to 400°F. Halve peppers lengthwise through the stems, leaving them attached. Remove the seeds. Lightly brush the peppers outside and inside with oil; sprinkle the insides with salt and pepper. Place, cut-side down, in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until peppers are just tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Turn cut-side up.
2. To prepare filling: Bring 2 cups salted water to a boil in a large wide pan. Stir in kale, cover and cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water; squeeze dry. Finely chop.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and chopped bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until onion is golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in the kale. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Stir in rice, Parmesan, 2 tablespoons pine nuts and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the filling among the pepper halves. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons pine nuts.
4. Add 2 tablespoons water to the baking dish. Cover the peppers with foil and bake until heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes more. Serve hot.
Recipe provided by eatingwell.com

---

Valerie Costanza, RD

Valerie Costanza, RD, received her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Louisiana Tech University in Nutrition and Dietetics. She loves being outdoors and playing with her labradoodle, Leilah. Avid runner, Registered Dietician, wife to Sam and now she has a new title: mom to Amelia Claire. Valerie is an advocate for leading a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy and staying active is her passion and encourages those around her to follow suit! Her favorite job as a teenager? Working at the Cucuzza Squash Farm.

Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Overseeing Physician at Seasons Wellness Clinic

“What is Seasons? And what do you do?”

These are questions I am often asked. In short, Seasons breaks free from the disease model of medicine. Our focus is wellness by optimizing your health. What does this mean? Just because you are free of disease does not mean you have great health. A wellness model of medicine is the only way to prevent disease and promote healthy living.

At Seasons, we work to achieve health and wellness with balance using our 5 Points of Wellness: Nutrition, Exercise, Hormones, Inflammation, and Detoxification.

NUTRITION
Are nutrition and health related? Absolutely. We are what we eat. Hippocrates said it best, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” Your diet must be individualized to meet your metabolic needs, limit inflammatory responses, and meet your lifestyle demands.

We offer personalized nutritional counseling to develop a plan for disease management, disease prevention, and overall good health. At Seasons, your nutritional plan is individualized to meet your needs in a way that fits your lifestyle.

EXERCISE
Exercise is an important part of any weight-loss or weight-maintenance program. Maintaining healthy weight is an excellent benefit of exercise, but it does so much more for your body. Exercise builds muscle, relieves stress, and helps to detoxify, just to name a few. However, too much exercise can severely harm the body.

At Seasons, we work to maximize your calorie expenditure, while reducing the damage to your body from excessive exercise. We do this in a way to match your lifestyle and your physical abilities.

Valerie Costanza, RD will develop a nutritional plan that is created to meet your individual needs in a way that fits your lifestyle.

HORMONES
Regardless of your age, your body needs hormones to function. Hormones are a means of communication with your body. And balance of those hormones is the key. Sure, it would be great if men were just a Testosterone sponge; or women just an Estrogen factory. But, that is not the case and the key is to create a balance. When your hormones are balanced, so are you. When your hormones are not balanced, your body will let you know.

Your hormone balance is unique and will change based on factors such as weight loss, weight gain, stress, and even nutrition. The only way to determine your imbalance is to share any symptoms you may be having with your healthcare team at Seasons. This gives us information on where to look for hormone imbalance issues. Only then can we identify your particular imbalance and formulate a plan to balance your hormones. Balanced hormones = better health.

INFLAMMATION
Inflammation is the greatest obstacle to good health and is a part of the body’s immune system signaling department. Pain, redness, swelling, heat, and loss of function are common manifestations of inflammation. Inflammation is not new. The first four classical signs were described by Celsus (30 BC – 38 AD).

The source of inflammation is unique to each person. It may be due to deficiencies, such as vitamin D, poor dietary intake of antioxidants, such as resveratrol and curcumin, or even a deficiency of fish (low Omega-3 intake leads to inflammation). Your gut could also be the source of inflammation! Did you know that up to 75% of your immune system lines your gut? In many ways, your health starts with your gut.

The source of inflammation is as different as the individual. The only way to identify your unique source of inflammation is through symptom evaluation and state-of-the-art testing. At Seasons we can identify the causes of inflammation and implement specific therapy to eliminate inflammation, which can be as diverse as parasite treatment to dietary changes.

DETOXIFICATION
We live in a toxic world today. There is no way around that! According to a recent study, detectable levels of toxins were found in up to 99% of pregnant women even though many of these chemicals have been banned since the early 1970’s. This number will only rise with the approximately 1,800 new chemicals approved annually. This tidal wave of toxins are overwhelming our detoxifications systems proven by the exponential rise in rates of autism spectrum disorder and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.

The ability to detoxify is critical to health. Every cell must detoxify. At Seasons, we evaluate your individual ability to detoxify with state-of-the-art testing and treat those areas that are dysfunctional. We focus on your major detox organs — liver, skin, kidneys, lymphatics, and GI tract — through which every cell in the body must detoxify. We provide a detoxification plan to meet your specific toxic load and to support your identified needs.

WHAT NEXT?
At Seasons, we offer individualized therapy to aggressively eliminate the obstacles to good health and maximize your body’s performance. We are not your disease doctor, we are your partners in health. We work to restore your health and then maintain that good health.

As Aristotle said, “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” And at Seasons, our holistic approach encompasses all the body’s functions creating one plan giving you the tools you need to pursue wellness.

Questions? Spend some time on our website getting to know us and what we do. Then call 318.255.3223 and speak with one of our Patient Relations Specialists. Remember, good health is a choice. And at Seasons, we offer you that opportunity. Don’t miss your opportunity to choose a health and wellness lifestyle.

What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?

A Flexible Spending Account is a tax-advantaged account, set up through your employer, that allows you to set aside a certain amount of your earnings to pay for qualified expenses. Contributions you make to your FSA are deducted from your check before taxes are calculated. The purpose of the FSA is to help cover out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses such as health insurance co-pays, uninsured treatments, or even over-the-counter drug purchases.

How does a Flexible Spending Account work?

At the beginning of the plan year (usually January 1st), your employer will ask how much you want to contribute for the year. Each month, the amount of money that you have pre-determined will be deducted from your paycheck and put into an account for your use during that same year. There is a limit of how much can be deposited into an FSA account, so check with your employer on the limit.

You can access the funds in your FSA account two ways:

• You may pay out-of-pocket then submit a copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or the provider’s invoice and proof of payment to the plan administrator. A reimbursement check will be issued to you as long as the expenses are approved.
• Some employers offer an FSA debit card that can be used at the point of purchase. Please note that unlike other debit cards, FSA debit cards are not accepted at every merchant that accepts Visa or MasterCard. The merchant must be coded as an approved business. Ex: You visit a spa to make an approved purchase for prescription cream for Rosacea but the FSA debit card doesn’t process. Even though it’s an approved purchase, the card doesn’t recognize the business as a medical facility. In the case that your card is declined at the point of purchase, you must pay out-of-pocket and submit the appropriate paperwork for reimbursement as described previously.

What are the benefits of a Flexible Spending Account?

An FSA saves you money by reducing your income taxes and your out-of-pocket medical expenses. The contributions you make to a Flexible Spending Account are deducted from your pay before your Federal, State, or Social Security Taxes are calculated and are never reported to the IRS. You decrease your taxable income and increase your spendable income. A Flexible Spending Account, when utilized to its fullest potential, can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.

You may be able to pay for lab fees using your Flexible Spending Account.

What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?

Any expense that is considered a deductible medical expense by the IRS and is not reimbursed through your insurance can be reimbursed through the Flexible Spending Account. Here are a few examples:

• Laboratory fees
• Acupuncture treatments
• Fees in excess of amounts allowed by your insurance
• Birth Control Pills
• Co-payments on covered expenses
• Deductibles
• Meals, transportation and lodging
• Nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, etc. can only be included if they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician, according to the IRS website.

A complete list of eligible medical expenses and explanations can be found on the IRS website.

What is the difference between a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

The most important commonality between the two accounts is that you are allowed to set aside the money before you pay income taxes on it. The FSA is a spending account, which indicates that you are expected to spend the money that you have set aside within that year. The HSA is a savings account, meaning, you may save that money until you need it, even if you don’t need it until many years later.

Bethany Cox, LMT & Certified Facial Reflexologist

At Seasons Wellness Clinic and Seasons – The Spa, we use essential oils on a daily basis. I am often asked what essential oils are and why we use them. In short, essential oils are the natural, aromatic liquids found in shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. In order to provide the most benefit to the body, Seasons only uses 100% pure therapeutic grade Young Living oils. And because we believe that essential oils should play a role in everyday life, we offer these oils for purchase to our clients.

In my massage practice at Seasons – The Spa, I use Young Living essential oils and lotions every day. These essential oils have many therapeutic benefits such as helping to calm and soothe muscle tension with blends of peppermint, coconut oil, lemongrass, oregano and sweet almond oil. I have had advanced training in Young Living essential oils and techniques using the oils and would be happy to answer any questions you may have by leaving a comment on this post.

Young Living Essential Oils are available at Seasons.

In the next few months, I will be writing a series of blog posts to highlight different essential oils and their benefits. My first blog post will highlight orange. Orange, as a pure essential oil, not only relaxes the mind with its sweet citrus scent, but it is also great for the immune system. To read more about this essential oils and to find out how you can receive a FREE orange Young Living essential oil, click here.

Orange essential oils offer a magnitude of health benefits and therapeutic properties, including:

• Anti-depressant. Well-known for its uplifting properties, orange essential oil is soothing to the mind and helps to relieve stress. It is refreshing and relaxing and commonly used for the treatment of anxiety.
• Anti-inflammatory. It provides relief from both internal and external inflammation caused by infections. It is helpful in treating swollen tissue by stimulating blood circulation.
• Anti-septic. It inhibits microbial growth and can help ease a sore throat if used in a gargle. It also helps to heal mouth ulcers when used in a mouth wash.
• Improves Digestion. It is known to promote digestion, ease constipation and increase the absorption of vitamin C. Use as a massage oil in the abdominal area.
• Anti-Cancer. D-limonene is a super-nutrient that occurs in Orange essential oil. It has been studied extensively for its ability to prevent cellular mutations and combat cancer tumor growth.
• Encourages Detoxification. Orange essential oil encourages detoxification by acting as a diuretic. It also stimulates the lymphatic system, the bladder and kidneys. Increased urination assists in the elimination of toxins like uric acid, bile and excess salts and helps relieve fluid retention. Detox and cleansing properties help breakdown and eliminate cellulite.
• Skin Treatment. Orange essential oil is shown to promote the production of collagen as well as increase the blood flow to the skin. It is helpful at soothing dry, irritated skin as well as acne-prone skin. It is excellent for rubbing on calluses on the feet.

Bethany Cox, LMT & Certified Facial Reflexologist

Bethany Cox, LMT & Facial Reflexologist
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, 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.

Guinot’s Masque Hydra Sensitive was recently named one of the “Top 100 Best Products of The Year” by New Beauty Magazine. Masque Hydra Sensitive relieves and calms your skin with an in-depth treatment that works instantly to help your skin boost its own natural defenses.

Guinot’s Masque Hydra Sensitive helps to:

• Soothe irritations.
• Reinforce the protection of the epidermis and the skins natural defenses.
• Visibly calm redness.

The Masque Hydra Sensitive’s formula includes activators that work on the surface to protect and reinforce sensitive skin. “With sensitive skin, you need to be extra gentle. And if you want gorgeous skin, you’ve got to baby it, and this product does both,” said Seasons Aesthetician Lisa Best. The natural ingredients in Masque Hydra Sensitive like Vitamin E restore, reinforce, and protect lipids from damage caused by free radicals. Chamomile extract and oak sooth irritations deep within your skin while Centellas asiatica extract help revitalize it.

Say goodbye to redness! Sensitive skin is vulnerable and needs extra protection from brutal environmental elements such as temperature variations and pollution. This sensitivity can manifest in the appearance of redness, friction or an itching sensation. “After using Masque Hydra Sensitive, the skin’s natural barrier of defense is reinforced and redness is visibly reduced, leaving the skin feeling comfortable, soothed and moisturized,” said Best.

“At Seasons – The Spa, we use Masque Hydra Sensitive in many of our treatments. Our clients love the way their skin looks and feels,” said Best. Want more good news? This product is also available for purchase at Seasons – The Spa so you can enjoy beautiful skin any time. For an at-home treatment once or twice a week, apply a thick layer to clean face and neck. Leave on for 10 minutes. Remove with water and apply toner.

For more information about spa treatments featuring Guinot’s Masque Hydra Sensitive or to purchase Masque Hydra Sensitive, contact our Spa Concierge at (318)255-1155.