Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

I know that the COVID-19 vaccine has brought up a lot of questions and concerns. We’re not used to being treated with anything that doesn’t go through years of trials.

I get it. I had my concerns as well.

And, as more and more people have become vaccinated, I’ve felt much better. I’ve had both doses of the vaccine myself. 

I don’t believe in any of the conspiracy theories and I also know that we’ve been making vaccines for a very long time. I’ll leave it up to you as far as what you decide to do for yourself and your family.

If you do choose to receive the vaccine, I thought it might be helpful to know what ingredients are actually in the 2 approved vaccines, and how you might give your body a little extra support before and after the injection.

Update 2-25-21: The one dose vaccine is now approved, but isn’t covered in this article.

Vaccine Ingredients: 

Active Ingredient in Both Vaccines (Moderna & Pfizer):

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)

The mRNA molecules contain the genetic material that provide instructions for the body on how to make a viral protein that triggers an immune response. The immune response is what causes the body to make the antibodies needed to protect from getting infected if exposed to the coronavirus.

After injection, the mRNA from the vaccine is released into the cytoplasm of the cells. Once the viral protein is made and on the surface of the cell, mRNA is broken down and the body permanently gets rid of it. The mRNA doesn’t enter the nucleus of cells so there is no chance of it altering DNA. 

Lipids: 

Lipids are present in both vaccines to protect the mRNA and provide somewhat of a “greasy” exterior that helps the mRNA slide inside the cells.

Lipids in the Pfizer vaccine:

~(4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)

~2[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]- N,N-ditetradecylacetamide

~1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine

~cholesterol

 

Lipids in the Moderna vaccine:

~SM-102

~polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG]

~cholesterol

~1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]

 

Salts:

Salts are present in vaccines to balance their acidity.

 

Salts in the Pfizer vaccine:

~potassium chloride

~monobasic potassium phosphate

~sodium chloride

~dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate

 

Salt in the Moderna vaccine:

~sodium acetate

 

Other:

Other ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine:

Sucrose is present to help the molecules keep their shape while frozen.

 

Other ingredients in the Moderna vaccine:

The following ingredients are present to work together to maintain the stability of the vaccine after it’s produced: 

~tromethamine (acts as a buffer)

~tromethamine hydrochloride (acts as a buffer)

~acetic acid (like vinegar; maintains the pH)

~sucrose (help the molecules keep their shape while frozen)

 

Ingredients NOT found in either vaccine:

~Fetal cells
~Blood products, like red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma or platelets
~COVID-19 virus cells
~Mercury
~Egg
~Latex stoppers
~Pork products
~Preservatives
~Microchips

How to support your body before & after

Be aware of possible Side effects:

~Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, and redness.
~General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea, and vomiting.

More severe reactions have been rare and would resemble an allergic reaction like shortness of breath, swelling of face and throat, rapid heartbeat, rash, or weakness.

 

Support your immune system and don’t over support

You want your immune system to activate somewhat in order for the vaccine to do what it’s intended to do. At the same time, you don’t want to over support and cause an overreaction. Yes, certain herbs and supplements activate the immune system, so be careful with those.

 

Easy Support Before and after the vaccine:

First, from what I’ve been reading, it’s important not to take anti-inflammatory medications before the vaccine. Examples include, ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). You want your body to have a small reaction to the vaccine. It’s thought that these medications might dampen your antibody response. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) might be preferred if your pain or discomfort aren’t tolerable as it doesn’t have as much of an anti-inflammtory effect. 

 

I want to be clear that none of these suggestions have been studied in connection to the COVID-19 vaccines. I’m basing these suggestions on my experience and expertise alone and sharing what I did for myself. As always, this blog is for educational information only

1. Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is known for its assistance in both supporting the immune system and assisting the body with detoxification. It’s also a natural antihistamine, so could help avoid allergic reactions.

I took 700mg of Buffered Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C designed to be easier on the gut) every hour for 5 hours before getting the vaccine and for 5 hours after.

 

2. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC):

NAC promotes the production of glutathione, one of the master detoxifiers in the body. NAC might help the body release what’s not needed from the vaccine.

I took 500mg of NAC for 5 days after the getting the vaccine doses.

 

3. Arnica tablets:

This is the one thing I didn’t do that I wish I had done after the first vaccine.

Arnica helps avoid bruising after an “injury”.

My main side effect of the first vaccine was arm pain. I did use it after the 2nd and I do think it helped my arm be not quite so painful.

 

4. Epsom salts:

Get in a salts bath right away. Epsom salts relieve muscle pain, eliminate stress in the body, and might help with detoxification.

I did this after both doses and I think it helped to lessen my symptoms.

This blog talks more about the benefits of Epsom salts.

 

5. Prepare your immune system now:

The tips in this article still stand. It might be a little while before you can get your vaccine. Get your body ready now.

 

**Update after 2nd vaccine:

I highly recommend planning a rest day the day after you receive the 2nd dose. Despite all my interventions, I still felt run down and had some sweats. It wasn’t too bad, but I appreciated having the day off to rest.

 

If you need help getting your body ready, schedule your visit now.

I’d love to hear other things you’re doing or have done to prepare and support your body with this vaccine. Please comment any thoughts below.

Yoni Steam at Home

Yoni Steam at Home

When I move the FLOURISH clinic to a new office location this spring, I’ll no longer be offering Yoni Steams. My intention when I offered Yoni Steams (also called Vaginal Steams and V-Steams), was to bring awareness to this sacred healing therapy.

If you’ve been wanting to try one in the office, but haven’t been in yet, now’s your chance. Coming in for a steam also helps if you want a 1:1 tutorial on how to steam at home.

I’m offering discounts on first steams and steam with a friend options until I move. Learn more here.

While steaming at an office can provide guidance on herb choices and takes away the time it takes for preparation and clean-up, Yoni Steams are very easy to experience at home. 

In this blog, I’m going to share the simple step-by-step process to perform a steam at home and some basic herbs for a general relaxing steam. 

If you’re having any kind of symptoms, I would advise you to seek counsel on which herbs to use and when to steam. As a general rule, if you have a menstrual cycle, you should steam during ovulation and/or right before your menses and if you don’t have a cycle, you can steam anytime or use the moon cycle for guidance. 

How to prepare a yoni steam:

Step One

Dedicate a bowl that can set inside your toilet. I use stainless steel. You can use any material that won’t be affected by the boiling water.

Use a large enough bowl that it comes about even with the top of the toilet bowl just under the seat level.

 

step two

Prepare your herbs (see list below for choices).

Place 1-2 Tablespoons of each herb in your steam bowl for about 3/4-1 cup of herbs total.

Place the bowl with herbs directly into your toilet.

 

step three

Bring at least 2 quarts of water to a roaring boil and pour the water over the herbs.

Put down the toilet seat.

 

step four

Sit right down on the toilet and wrap yourself in warm blankets.

 

step five

Relax and let the steam enter your yoni.

Remain in place for 25-30 minutes or until the warmth dissipates.

Common herbs for home steams

 

Calendula:

Calendula is known to heal tissues and nourish the skin.

Energetically, it’s thought to move stuck emotions and aid in recovery and grief.

 

Chamomile:

Chamomile is known to be very soothing to the vaginal muscles.

It’s great for the emotions and helps reduce irritability, anxiety, and to lessen emotional outbursts.

 

Lavender:

Lavender is known for it’s support in healing menstrual pain and to maintain a healthy uterus.

It’s very helpful for relaxation and rest.

 

Red Raspberry Leaf:

Red Raspberry is known in herbalism for it’s ability to help strengthen and tone the uterine muscles.

It’s also thought to nurture and protect the person receiving the steam.

 

Roses:

Roses smell divine and encourage love and healing.

Red roses help with romantic, passionate love.

Pink roses help with self-love and self-acceptance.

 

*There are many other herbs to choose for steaming. This list seems to be the most pleasing and most tolerated choices.

 

 

I hope this helps provide a simple guide for Yoni Steams at home. Please let me know what questions you have. If you’d like to take advantage of this last month of steams at FLOURISH, learn more here

New Year’s Musings Part 2: Writing Your Intentions

New Year’s Musings Part 2: Writing Your Intentions

If you missed Part One of my New Year’s Musings: Why I Like “Intentions” Better than “Goals” or “Resolutions”, check that out here.

There are a lot of opinions about how to best write intentions. There are very feminine ways of dreaming, visioning, and creating that leave a lot of space for what’s possible. Then, there are the very masculine ways of setting goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound).

I like a process that’s somewhere in the middle, a more balanced approach. Most of the people I work with are high achievers anyway, so setting masculine goals doesn’t support the need to also have time to rest and play and be creative.

Below is my 5 Step Process for creating intentions that work.

Step one:

Take some time to think about what you want to see come to fruition in the near future in all areas of your life: 

~Home
~Work/career/business
~Health
~Money
~Relationships
~Personal Growth
~Other?

Step Two

Write a few sentences about why each one of the things you want to see come true are important to you. 

Why do you want these things to happen? 

Step three:

Think about how you’re going to feel when you get each one. 

What emotions will achieving this evoke for you? 

Get specific….feel it in your body like it’s already true.

Write down these feelings. 

Step four

Who are you going to need to be to make these things happen? 

What character traits do you already possess that will support your intentions?

Are there any new character traits you’d like to begin embodying to create the life you most want? 

Add these to your list. 

Step five:

Write your full intentions in a sentence that you can read aloud to yourself. 

Read your intentions at least twice daily, once in the morning and once right before bed. 

Consider reading them many times per day, making them into the background on your computer or phone, create graphics of them, write them over and over.

Each time you read your intentions, be sure to feel into the feelings you’ll feel once they come true. 

example:

I’m going to give you a really practical example from one area of my life, so you can get the idea.

Step One: What do I want…
I want to wake up to a clean kitchen every morning.

Step Two: Why do I want it…
When the kitchen is clean, I’m more motivated to cook more complicated meals that include more fresh vegetables.

Step Three: How will I feel when I get it…
More fresh vegetables mean better digestion for a more healthy gut and more energy. I’ll feel light and energized so I can show up as my best self for myself and my clients.

Step Four: Who do I need to be…
I need to be organized in my time management and dedicated to making this a priority.

Step Five: Putting it all together…
I stay organized and dedicated to cleaning my kitchen every evening, so that I’m motivated to cook more vegetables so I can feel light and energized every day.

Do you see how different this feels than me just telling myself that I have to do the dishes every night? Dishes are my LEAST favorite household chore and I tend to walk away from the dirty kitchen after dinner.

When I do that and I wake up to the chore I like the least, it brings down my mood immediately, so I already don’t feel as energized as I could.

Then, because I don’t have time to do them in the morning, the pile is still there at the next dinner time and I’m more likely to grab a quick, less optimal meal so I don’t create more mess…a vicious cycle. 

This is a very practical application of the process. You can use it for anything. Maybe you want more time with your sweetie? Maybe you want to move your body more often? Maybe you want to be more organized at work?

It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get into the “why” of what you want and the feeling behind it, because what we really care about is how we feel.

Now, when I don’t feel like doing the dishes, I can ask myself, ‘Do you want to have energy tomorrow?’

The answer is almost always a resounding, “Yes!”.

Give this process a try and let me know how it goes.

If your intentions include upleveling your health and wellness, I hope you’ll consider scheduling a session with me for support. And, I’d love to have you join my in my one-time only 8-week program, Health Transformations.

Happy 2024!

New Year’s Musings: Part One

New Year’s Musings: Part One

Why I Like “Intentions” Better Than “Goals or Resolutions”

It’s that time of year again, the time of resolutions and new goals. You know how it goes. You’re all excited for that big new goal and you get going right away in the new year. And then, in about 3 days, you give up. Some of you might last longer than that, but my guess is that very few new year resolutions actually come all the way true. 

The problem is with how they’re created.

Often, we make new year’s resolutions out of some sort of disappointment in ourselves, not feeling like enough, or from a place of lack.

For example, how many people can you name right now who every year set a weight loss goal? They feel bad that they’ve either gained weight or haven’t yet lost previously gained weight, so THIS IS THEIR YEAR! 

Can you see already how setting a goal from a place of shame, disappointment, or struggle might not be optimal? 

And, I would add that most of the time when people come to see me in my clinic to help them with their new year’s resolution, the goal is often WAY too big to actually be able to attain. 

 

This is why I like the word intention better.

The dictionary definition of intend is to, “have a course of action as one’s purpose or objective; plan”. So, an intention is, “a thing intended, an aim or plan”. 

Did you know that in medicine intention means, “the healing process of a wound”?

Intention works so much better because often underneath our new year’s resolution is some sort of healing that needs to take place. 

If we look at what we intend to create in our lives and we’re willing to see that some sort of healing might need to take place to get it, doesn’t that seem like a better way to go about it?

After working with thousands of women (and many men, too!), I see how much healing needs to take place when it comes to acceptance of ourselves and particularly of our bodies. 

When we set a goal about weight, go on a popular diet, or restrict our eating without intention (and healing), it’s no wonder we can’t reach that goal. 

What if…

What if you gained weight because of stress, but you’re not doing anything to reduce stress or support your body in it’s ability to manage stress more efficiently? Do you think boot camp exercises or a highly restrictive diet are going to aid your body in this process? You’re very likely going to make things worse or hurt yourself deeply. 

What if you love sugar because you were rewarded with sugar whenever you were a “good girl” or every time you had fun with your family? Of course, you want sugar. Cut yourself some slack. Maybe your intention is to find new ways to reward yourself when you’re celebrating or for having fun, instead of eating sugar. Fulfilling your deep inner need will bring you much more joy than sugar, but sugar works too, so be sweet to you. 

What if you’ve gained weight because of an underlying health issue and you’re refusing to go in and get checked out. Maybe it’s not as complicated as you believe it might be? Maybe there are some simple shifts you can make in your life to overcome this? You won’t know unless you find out. 

What if you gained weight because it’s the natural course for your body? What if your body is beautiful just like it is? The deeper healing here is acceptance of her for who she is.

It always happens this time of year and this year, I want you to hear: 

You are beautiful. If your body is not feeling optimal for whatever reason, come in and see me or see someone else, just get support. 

And, as you set your intentions for 2024, I hope you’ll set ones that work FOR you and not AGAINST you and that you’ll be willing to look for the healing underneath.

Want help?

If you’re in Oregon, schedule a consultation with me here.

 

Read New Year’s Musings Part 2: Writing Your Intentions