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Heal - Discover Your Unlimited Potential And Awaken the Healer - A Review

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Today I'm reviewing Heal: Discover Your Unlimited Potential and Awaken The Powerful Healer Within by Kelly Noonan Gores.


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Heal


Author Links - Link
Amazon Book Link
Amazon Author Link
Good Reads Book Link
Good Reads Author Link
My Good Reads Profile
My Facebook Page


Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 429,000 views.

Starting with the physical book I can say that this is another great one to toss into a bag or purse to read on the go.  It is small but the font was chosen well so that these elder eyes can read them without too much trouble.  The cover is smooth and contains no illustrations.  It does not have an index but does offer a section called "Meet the Experts" where the contributors images and brief bio can be found in its place.  We are also provided a further reading section with three pages of recommended books by those same experts, related to the topic of healing. 

The book is broken down into seven chapters which lead the reader on a journey of discovery. It covers what exactly our health actually is as well has how to work with food, nature and dealing with things such as the subconscious mind and the placebo effect.


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Heal

The book contains and assortment of quotes from health professionals and those who have overcome adversity to create a place of learning and growth for the reader.  Each chapter has a summary at the end to help the reader understand what they experienced and how to connect with the information on both a physical and spiritual level. Understanding, in chapter one for example, the role that stress plays on the body and how we possess the power to heal ourselves completely, if we simply allow that process to occur.

I enjoyed the section related to understanding that holistic medicine considers a personal mental, emotional and lifestyle factors, not just their physical symptoms. I can say with confidence, after addressing the issues that I had across all facets of my life, I was able to improve not only my physical self, but also my sense of self.  Understanding that the more time I spent focusing on negative self talk and self abuse, the more negative I felt.  Those things all weighed heavily (both figuratively and literally) on my body.  As with the experiences of the journey of those in the book, I found that my ability to awaken my own positive thoughts brought back my bodies own desire to be healthy and to thrive.  I continue that practice today with mindful meditation, exploration of spirituality and healing and the desire to reach a place where I can reflect on the world without anger.  My desire is to feel only compassion instead of feeding the negativity in this life.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Heal


On page 57, the author beings a discussion on forgiveness.  For years, I have been of the mindset that while I did not dwell on the past, I was not required to forgive those who wronged me. When I read the following statement, it finally clicked.

I always say that all forgiveness is self-forgiveness because with resentment, unforgiveness, or rancor I may hold towards another, all of those thoughts are happening within me.

Recently I have started studying Buddhism, and I believe that the statement above is directly related to that type of mindset. When I get angry at someone, I hold that anger inside me. That anger eats at me. It has no impact on anyone but me. I feel the pain of it constantly. While I may not think if it all the time, there are reminders, such as seeing someone's face or a memory that pops into my head, that triggers that same feeling each time.  With forgiveness, I'm not approving their behavior.  I'm not giving in. I am however, allowing myself to say, this no longer has the power to make me sad. This no longer has the power to cause me pain because I forgive this behavior and I remove this behavior from having power in my life.
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Heal


Chapter six has to be my favorite chapter of the book because it takes a subject that I hold near and dear to my heart into the limelight. It address how Food and Nature are medicine. It provides healing tips as well as quotes around how to use food to heal the body.  We are provided with a discussion on Epstein-Barr, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and other autoimmune illnesses that can be treated with food. 

Frozen wild blueberries are the most healing fruit on the planet and far superior to larger cultivated blueberries.  They pull heavy metals out of the brain and aid in the recovery from neurological problems.

The final chapter talks about Tapping the Intangible with a quote from Carl Sagan.


Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.


It goes on to provide examples of spiritual steps from meditation to prayer that has caused positive health changes in the lives of those practicing. The author invites us to imagine illness to wellness with an exercise on using our brain to literally change the way our body feels.  Ancient practices such as yoga are a way to reset or bring our body mind connection back into balance. As a student of yoga, I have been focusing these last few weeks on strengthening my connection to the simple breath as a way to continue to create a healing environment for my body. With dietary changes and listening to my body when it needs to rest, I have been able to reverse several serious inflammatory diseases that were creating havoc in my body.  Using gratitude, visualizations and meditation, I have been able to make significant changes in my overall health and well-being.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Heal


If you're looking for a book that outlines the basic steps you can take right now to create positive change in your life, I would say this is the book for you.  I'm not big on books that promote Christianity as it has done so much harm in our world today, I will give the author a pass on the quotes from the Christian Bible.  The ability to provide alternatives to prayer, such as meditation was enough to make the book something that I would recommend for others.

Overall, the book offers a positive way to work with the natural world of food and thought as a healing mechanism for what ails ya!


If you're interested in learning more about my journey of self healing I encourage you to follow my Facebook Page - Real Rations.  I share information on healing the body with medicine and mindfulness.  A process that has resulted in a 135 lb weight loss for both my husband and I as well as curing a range of illnesses from Fibromyalgia to High Blood Pressure.
Renee Olson
                                                                                                        
Elijah Olson


Adaptogens Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief

Today I'm reviewing Adaptogens Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Adaptogens



Author Links - Link
Amazon Book Link
Amazon Author Link
Good Reads Book Link
Good Reads Author Link
My Good Reads Profile
My Facebook Page


Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 412,000 views.


Today this book will be reviewed by Guest Reviewer Elijah Olson.  He is well versed in health, wellness and nutrition, currently working towards several nutritional studies degrees and a hobbyist in permaculture, and general gardening.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Adaptogens

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Adaptogens



Adaptogens
Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief


Let's start by introducing the authors; David Winston, RH (AHG) , is a clinical herbalist and ethnobotanist with 50 years of training in Chinese, Western/Eclectic, and Southwestern herbal traditions. Steven Maimes has studied natural medicine for over 30 years. A researcher, freelance writer, and principle of SALAM Research.

The book has now been updated and expanded this year (2019) from its first edition in 2007. 

The information is laid out in a comprehensive three part layout. Part one gives a good introduction of what Herbal Adaptogens are, the history, actions and health benefits. Part two starts with full color monographs on adaptogens for identification, as well as in-depth information for the well researched adaptogens. 
Also covered in this section is comprehensive information on nervines, nootropics and restorative tonics.
Part three covers herbal adaptogens in use, including information on clinical use, herbs in combination and also an added chapter on adaptogens for our pets.


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Adaptogens

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Adaptogens


I really enjoyed the layout of the book, it is easy to locate what you are looking for specifically. There is both a good index and glossary for those of us that may struggle with trying to remember or get lost in every clinical or herbal term. The authors have really given us a thorough reference book for daily use. 
So if you are interested in a very detailed, easy to pick up and find a tonic, tea, or food to prepare with ALL the healthy information including dosages attached...this is the book for you.



Wacko Wednesday AKA Spring Fever

Missing planes, missing people, missing brains.

Over the last week I've watched slowly life around me starts to do a little tilt.  I've had conversations with friends to confirm that indeed even though I'm sparkling like crazy right now, I'm not cray cray.  I've watched public officials contemplate the possibility of a black hole being the cause of a missing airliner.  I've watched friends debate over politics and animals.

Currently the sun is shinning brightly in my eastern North Carolina sky yet, the temperature is a nippy 45 degrees.  Yes, it's early in the year, just March.  People are tired of being stuck inside and watching TV.  This is the time of year when a young humans heart longs to be outdoors and feel the breath of the Goddess on their face.

For those of us that work from home, sometimes we don't leave our house for days at a time.  I can see the outside but working full time online and then also running the business leaves just a little time left.  I do get outside about 3-4 times a day.  I feed the cats, the chickens and then put them to bed at night.  I think this is what we're experiencing right now.  WE all have Spring Fever.

We need to put our bare feet on the grass and feel the earth below us.  There's something healing about going barefoot.  I know sometimes when I have to go out, either for work on business trips or at events for Sosanna's Closet, I actually feel as through my breath is being cut off by wearing shoes!

Yeah, I know there's a missing jet liner.  Pat Robertson is cray cray and they're coming for your guns. There's a socialist president in office that is also a tyrant.  A woman is losing her right to access to health care.  A white tiger dies.  Embassies close.  Watch out for the New World Order. Cupcake ATMs.

And that's just what's trending on Facebook.  No matter how you slice and dice it, the world is crazy.

So stop.

Just stop and breathe.



You're welcome.

Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
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