Happy Saturday, beautiful souls! If you're someone who's harder on yourself than you'd ever be on a friend, this one's especially for you! What Self-Compassion Really Means Self-compassion isn't about making excuses or lowering your standards—it's about treating yourself with the same kindness you'd show someone you love when they're struggling. It's recognizing that being human means being imperfect, and that's completely okay. Why It Matters So Much Research shows that people who practice self-compassion experience: - Less anxiety and depression - Greater motivation to improve (not less!) - Better relationships with others - Increased resilience during tough times - Better physical health and stress management The Self-Criticism Trap Many of us believe that being hard on ourselves motivates us to do better, but it actually does the opposite. Self-criticism increases stress, decreases motivation, and often leads to giving up entirely. It's like having a mean boss in your head 24/7! Simple Ways to Practice Self-Compassion ~Change Your Inner Voice Notice when you're being self-critical and ask: "Would I talk to my best friend this way?" Then try rephrasing with kindness. ~The Self-Compassion Break When you're struggling, try this: 1. Acknowledge: "This is a difficult moment" 2. Remember: "Everyone struggles sometimes" 3. Offer yourself kindness: "May I be gentle with myself" ~Practice Self-Forgiveness When you make a mistake, try saying: "I'm human, and humans make mistakes. This doesn't define my worth. What can I learn from this?" ~Treat Yourself Like a Good Friend Ask yourself: "What would I say to a friend going through this?" Then offer yourself that same compassion and support. ~Remember: You Are Worthy You deserve kindness, patience, and understanding—especially from yourself. Your worth isn't determined by your achievements or how well you measure up to impossible standards. 💜 Your Self-Compassion Challenge 💜 This weekend, catch yourself in one moment of self-criticism and try to soften that voice just a little. Notice how it feels to treat yourself with kindness instead of harshness.

Happy Friday, beautiful souls! Let's spice up your Fun Fact Friday with "The Healing Properties of Spices: More Than Just Flavor!" Did you know that your spice rack is actually a mini pharmacy? These flavorful treasures have been used medicinally for thousands of years! Turmeric - The Golden Healer This bright yellow spice contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound. Ancient Ayurvedic healers called it "holy powder" and used it for everything from wounds to digestive issues! Cinnamon - The Blood Sugar Buddy Beyond its cozy flavor, cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar levels and has antimicrobial properties. A teaspoon a day might help keep your glucose steady! Ginger - The Nausea Ninja This spicy root has been soothing stomachs for over 2,000 years. It's amazing for motion sickness, morning sickness, and general digestive upset. Black Pepper - The Nutrient Booster Called "black gold" in ancient times, pepper contains piperine, which helps your body absorb nutrients better. That's why turmeric and black pepper are often paired together! Garlic - The Immune Champion This pungent bulb has been used medicinally since ancient Egypt. It's packed with allicin, which gives it antibacterial and immune-boosting powers. Cloves - The Pain Reliever These tiny flower buds contain eugenol, a natural pain reliever. Dentists still use clove oil for toothaches today! Fun Fact: Medieval spice traders became incredibly wealthy because spices were literally worth their weight in gold—not just for flavor, but for their medicinal properties! Your Spice Cabinet Challenge Look in your spice rack right now—you probably have a whole healing arsenal just waiting to be used! Try adding a pinch of turmeric to your morning smoothie or brewing fresh ginger tea. What's your favorite healing spice? Share how you like to use spices for both flavor AND wellness in the comments below! Wishing you a flavorful and healing Friday! ✨

Hello, We talked about treating edema in the elderly. I included my research file that includes a summary from 3 different texts teaching about edema, diagnosis and contraindications if medical conditions or medicine are involved. I also included the blend I am using now although I am not on any medicines. I use reduced edema and dry mouth as dose guidance. I make 2 qts a day and drink most through the day.

Thank you to @Jeanne A Kargel @Gina Starks and @Jim Flach for participating in this month's Tea & Talk session. I did not let my nerves get to me and I stuck to the outline. 🤩 So happy that we had such a productive conversation. Setting intentions is more than just goal setting. We did stray from our topic a bit at the end but it is all good! The recipes, materia medicas, intention setting worksheet will all be uploaded into the classroom today, some already there. I hope each of you have a wonderful month of setting intentions! Stay positive and kind 💜🌹

Herbal vs. True Teas: What's the Difference? Let's Settle This Once and For All! Ever wondered why some people call it "herbal tea" while others insist on "herbal tisane"? Or why your green tea and chamomile tea are both called "tea" but come from completely different plants? Today we're diving into the fascinating world of what makes a tea truly "tea"! What is True Tea? True tea comes from one plant and one plant only: Camellia sinensis. This amazing plant gives us all the classic teas we know and love: - Black Tea - Fully oxidized leaves with robust, malty flavors - Green Tea - Minimally oxidized, fresh and grassy - White Tea - Young buds and leaves, delicate and subtle - Oolong Tea - Partially oxidized, complex and fruity - Pu-erh Tea - Fermented and aged, earthy and rich All these different teas come from the same plant! The difference is in how the leaves are processed after harvesting. What is Herbal Tea (Tisane)? Herbal teas are water-based beverages made from any plant except Camellia sinensis. They can include: - Flowers - like chamomile, hibiscus, or rose petals - Leaves - like peppermint, lemon balm, or tulsi - Roots - like ginger, dandelion, or licorice - Bark - like cinnamon or willow - Seeds - like fennel or cardamom - Fruits - like rosehips or dried apple Technically, these should be called "tisanes" (pronounced tee-ZAHN), but most of us just call them herbal teas! Key Differences Caffeine Content: - True teas naturally contain caffeine (except for decaffeinated versions) - Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free (exceptions include yerba mate and guayusa) Flavor Profiles: - True teas have tannins that create astringency and complexity - Herbal teas offer endless variety - from sweet and floral to spicy and bitter Health Benefits: - True teas are rich in antioxidants like catechins and theaflavins - Herbal teas offer diverse therapeutic compounds specific to each plant Fun Tea Facts: