holistic caring

I'll Be Out of the Office January 22 - February 6

2010-12-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

My travels continue, this time to Mexico. The above is an aerial view looking north of Island Bay, Mexico (image provided by Wikipedia). I'm looking forward to seeing such sites in person. I will be away from:

January 22 - February 6

I'll share some pictures in the sun when I return.

Winter is a Time for Aromatic Bitters

2010-10-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Campari Soda

As we are almost into November, it is now time to think about what we can do to support our system as our diet changes from the fresh fruit and vegetables of the summer to the more hearty winter products. One way to do this is with the addition of herbal bitters.

What Are Bitters?

Aromatic bitters are not a single herb or blend but a category of plants that taste bitter. Some of the common bitters include Yarrow, Angelica, dandelion root, gentian and Osha Root. Bitters are sometimes found as Swedish Bitters in health food stores.

Bitters are known to stimulate the liver, stomach and nervous system, and help to stimulate and regulate the digestive system. Bitters are commonly used in Europe and South American countries and are even mixed into cocktails. Some commonly available bitter-tasting commercial products include Campari, Collins Orange and Quinquina.

Yarrow

Yarrow is one of my favorite herbs to include in a bitters blend.

Yarrow flowers, late summer. Image provided by Wikipedia.

While Yarrow was once used in traditional Native American herbal medicine for toothaches, and even earaches, I prefer its use in preventing and breaking up congestion of the respiratory system. This herb can be used to prevent infection from getting into the lungs.

Taking Bitters

Bitters should be taken before meals and, when in a tincture, not mixed with other liquids to improve their effectiveness. You need to taste their bitterness to start stimulating your system. Just a few drops taken before a meal can help reduce gas and bloating. Bitters also treat parasites and Candida.

It should be noted that taking more bitters than recommended can lead to too much digestion stimulation, causing diarrhea.

Book an appointment with me to get your own customized blend of bitters to keep you feeling healthy this winter.

What to Expect From an Energy Healing Session

2010-10-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

Recently I announced a drawing for a free Merry Therapy energy healing session for those who bring two new participants to an Isagenix workshop; so today I'd like to talk about what a Merry Therapy energy healing session is like.

I Sense Energy Dis-Ease

Energy healing is about the energy of each individual and so, by its very nature, is unique. A person will come into my office for an energy healing and I will ask their permission to go into their energy field. As I work on this area, or aura, they become relaxed. I use my intuitive senses to hone in on any dis-ease the other person is feeling. This might be stress, tension, pain or old harmful memories.

I Release the Negative Energies

Once the pain has been found I try to unwind, dispel or unbind the person from their pain. I release the person from their built-up negative energies. During this process I may lightly touch or tap the person, but never without their permission. The session is about keeping a person open and relaxed so nothing is every done without explicit consent.

Merry Therapy Energy Healing Results

Different people feel different things during and after a session. Some feel a release of pain and stress. Some feel a tingling throughout their body. Some feel refreshed. And some feel a powerful sense of healing of old wounds both physical and psychological.

Regardless of the specific details or goals, this process is designed individually on a per-person basis to make sure you get what you need from the session. This is a unique, holistic type of healing aimed at bettering your body, mind and soul.

Isagenix Updates and Events

2010-10-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Isagenix events are your opportunity to learn and discuss nutrition, health and the benefits of the Isagenix line of products. I originally held events specifically for the purpose of education or discussion, but these events have organically evolved to include both.

The Isagenix Education and Discussion Workshop

This new event combines learning and discussion. This is a free event about the nutrition available through Isagenix as well as its other advantages. We'll be providing samples of great tasting shakes and learning about their benefits. There will also be a discussion group consisting of those interested in Isagenix and those already enjoying the product.

Join us:

Monday - March 14/11
Tuesday - April 12/11
Wednesday - May 18/11
Thursday - June 16/11

See our Events page for more information and to register.

Win an Energy Healing Session

Bring two friends new to Isagenix with you and be entered to win a 30-minute Merry Therapy energy healing session. We will draw a name monthly, so don't miss your opportunity to win.

Welcome Melanie

Please help me welcome my niece Melanie Charles into the role of Isagenix point person. Melanie is available for more information on Isagenix, event registration and Isagenix event hosting.

Coming Soon

Watch this space for information on wintertime health, what to expect from an energy healing session and photos from my wonderful, rejuvenating September.

Please Be Advised - Possibly Compromised Email Account

2010-10-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time traveling last month, but unfortunately I recently had the misfortune of having my laptop stolen. Please be assured that no client personal information was kept on the computer. You should be aware, however, that it's possible my email account may have been temporarily compromised.

Please remember: I will never directly solicit or ask for personal or payment details through email. If you suspect you have been contacted through my email address by someone other than myself, please let me know.

All passwords have been changed and security has been updated to ensure there are no ongoing issues. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Update: I was fortunate enough to have my laptop recovered by the police. It and all its information is safe at home.

I Will Be Out of the Office for the Month of September

2010-08-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

This September I'll be lucky enough to spend some time in the beautiful region of Wales, England, so I'll be out of the office for the whole month of September. Pictured above is Snowdon, Britain's highest mountain south of the Scottish Highlands. I don't know that I'll be taking on that particular challenge, but I will be spending some of my time hiking through the beautiful countryside.

Please note:

Phone messages will be returned and new appointments will be booked for when I return
Email will be checked twice a week

I'll back in the office Tuesday, October 12th rested, recharged and ready to see you all again.

Picture provided by Wikipedia.

Making Teas From and Drying Your Fresh-Picked Herbs

2010-07-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Picking herbs in your backyard is wonderful, but what do you do with those herbs once you get them home?

Drying Herbs

Drying herbs is the easiest way to preserve their medicinal value for months or even years. Dried herbs should be put in air-tight, dark containers as light and air can degrade their quality. Also remember to label your herbs because after drying they can be more difficult to identify.

Air-Drying Herbs

Air-drying herbs is both simple and easy to do. For long-stemmed herbs, tie into small bunches of about 5-6 stems per bunch and hang upside down in a warm, dark, dry place. To dry seeds, place a paper bag over the inverted herbs and while the herbs dry the seeds will fall into the bag. Flowers and leaves may be dried independently by placing them in a thin layer inside a basket to allow for good airflow.

Herbs can take from a few days to weeks to dry depending on the size and density of the herb. For heavy roots, drying can take more than a year.

Oven-Drying Herbs

While air-drying is the most traditional, it’s also the most time-consuming way to dry herbs. To speed the process, herbs can be placed in a thin layer on a sheet pan and dried in an oven on its lowest temperature setting. Herbs should be checked frequently to ensure they are only dried and don’t begin to cook or burn.

Herbs are ready when they crumble when rubbed between your fingers.

Teas

Teas are the easiest way to use herbs as they can be made from fresh or dry herbs. For dried herbs it’s as simple as putting one tablespoon of dried herbs into one cup of boiling water. Let this simmer for 5 – 15 minutes and you’re ready to drink. If you’re using fresh herbs you will need to use at least twice the amount and likely the final tea will still be weaker. For a strong tea with fresh herbs use 2/3 a cup of herbs to one cup of water.

Unless stems are needed for medicinal value, stems can be removed before making tea for a less-bitter final product. Tea can be sweetened with honey and drunk hot or cold. Cooled tea can be applied directly to skin for topical uses and keeps in the fridge for up to five days.

Three cups of tea per day is a general guide but see your local herbalist for specific amounts for you.

Remember, herbs are medications so see a health practitioner before beginning any treatment.

Herb-Picking In Your Backyard

2010-07-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

I've walked the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest since my childhood, and I've come to know and love them well. One of the things I've always appreciated is the easy availability of herbs in my own backyard. Here are some of my favorites available now.

Red Clover Blossoms

Red clovers blossoms are a favorite of kids and herbalists alike. While not native to North America, red clover has been naturalized here for decades and can be found all over the Pacific Northwest. Children can be seen picking out the deep pink trumpets and sucking at the sweet nectar inside, but as an herbalist, I most commonly find it helpful for those with skin problems or women suffering with premenstral syndrome (PMS).

Red Clover Uses

Red clover contains estrogen-like compounds (isoflavones) and can be used to reduce PMS symptoms and reduce menopausal symptoms. It also contains calcium, magnesium and isoflavones which can relax the nervous system to help rid skin conditions and increase fertility.

Cleavers

Cleavers is native to North America and is also known as Clivers, Goosegrass, Stickyleaf, Catchweed and Stickyweed. It can grow up to two meters tall with white to greenish flowers two-three millimeters across. The long stems of the pant sprawl over the ground and grow up other plants. There are many small hooks that cover the plant making it cling to you as you pass by.

Uses of Cleavers

The whole plant is rich in vitamin C and can be used to treat skin conditions, high blood pressure and cyctitis. It is a diuretic and can help repair skin wounds and sunburns. Because of the outer hooks, it is not pleasant to eat raw but the fruits can be dried and roasted for a coffee-like drink and the leaves can be boiled like leafy vegetables.

Horsetail

Horsetail belongs to a family of plants that date back millions of years and is named, of course, because it looks like a horse's tail. Thanks to the abrasive silicates on its stem, it has been used to scour metal items and is still used in Japan, after being boiled and dried, to polish woodcrafts.

Horsetail Uses

The above-ground parts of the plant are used fresh or dried. It contains alkaloids, bitters, flavonoids and its silicates encourage the absorption of calcium in the body. It is a diuretic and used to treat kidney stones, anemia, gastrointestinal conditions, urinary tract infections and brittle nails.

Self-Heal

More commonly known as Prunella, self-heal is a member of the mint family and can be found in moist wetland or grass. It spreads quickly, almost as a ground cover, making it easy to find, or grow, in your own backyard. It has a square stem common to mints and is best collected in mid-summer.

Uses of Self-Heal

In the Pacific Northwest, natives have been using this plant for many years for the treatment of boils, cuts and inflammation. Self-heal is an antioxidant, immune stimulant, viral replication inhibitor, and anti-inflammatory. It can also be used to sooth a sore throat in a tea or by gargling an infusion. Its mildly bitter leaves can also be used as salad greens.

St. John's Wort

St John's Wort commonly grows in the wild and gets its name from its being traditionally picked on St. John's Day, June 24. St. John's Wort is easily recognized by five-petal flowers and leaves that have transparent dots when held up to the light. While in some cases St. John's Wort is considered a toxic weed in livestock fields, it is most commonly known as an antidepressant for people.

Uses of St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort is commonly prescribed in Germany as an antidepressant and its use to fight depression as an over-the-counter medication is common in North America as well. St. John's Wort can also be used to treat PMS, bladder conditions, viral infections, external wounds and bruises.

More Information

Learn to make teas or dry your freshly-picked herbs,

For more information on herb-picking check out:

Remember, herbs are medications so see a health practitioner before beginning any treatment.

New Events Announced

2010-07-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

Please see our Lectures and Events page to see the new events available with MaryAnne Meredith. Book your spot today.

Success Stories

2010-06-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

I work with many different clients and many different issues, but so often what I see is a body out of balance.

I work with a person on dietary changes, supplements, immunity boosters and herbal remedies to bring the whole person back into alignment. Today two of my clients share their success stories in their own words.

What is Merry Therapy with MaryAnne Meredith?

2010-06-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was a child picking mushrooms in the back woods with my mother, I have felt drawn to learning more about the natural world that surrounds us. The more I learned, the more I understood and felt the need for harmony between person and nature. And the more I understood, the more I developed intuitive insights about what ailed a person and how I could help. After years of response from my clients, I’ve learned to trust the instinctual perceptions I have about people and their needs.

The world is spinning ever faster, and if we don’t change our vibrations, we’ll simply fly off.

These intuitive sensations, and the care they promote, have formed a type of energy work I call Merry Therapy. It is called such because whether the pain is emotional or physical, people leave feeling happier. It’s energy that comes from a spirit of warmth and love, and promotes peace, balance and harmony. This is a way of tuning the vibrations within a person.

Merry Therapy Empowers You to Help Yourself

Working with the energies of clients I have been helping one person at a time. But now, to create more of an impact and to empower others, I have developed courses designed to teach you how to raise your own vibrations and do your own energy work. These courses show you how to use energy to promote your own health.

Find Calm in the Eye of the Storm

Merry Therapy courses teach you to feel your own energy and strengthen it through the nature that surrounds us. You will find a deeper awareness of yourself to enhance trust, balance and serenity. It is from this place that deep and powerful energy will emerge to shepherd you through your life’s journey.

Please visit our Lectures and Events page to see currently scheduled classes, or for more information, please contact me directly.

You Are Invited to a Tasting

2010-06-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

You are invited to attend a complimentary introduction to Isagenix this Thursday, June 17th, 7pm at Secret Drawers Lingerie.

That's right, we're going to be enjoying samples and having fun in Nena's lingerie shop. We'll be sampling Isagenix, sharing our experiences and learning more about the benefits of a great nutritional shake.

Come and find out what the secret is about.

You are welcome to bring someone, or just come with your questions. An announcement will be made....

What is a Health and Harmony Healing Holiday?

2010-06-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

A Health and Harmony Healing Holiday is where I will help you to restore your serenity and inner-balance.

This holiday is a restorative retreat on Vancouver Island. It is an experiential journey designed to balance body, mind, and spirit. It varies in length and topics, but always with healing and inner-peace in mind.

You are immersed in the stillness centre, where your needs for cleansing and healing will be supported by health professionals. You will eat quality, organic food, juices and wheat grass to aid your body’s own natural cleansing processes. You will learn the importance of detoxifying your body and how to do it safely.

You will create a positive personal attitude and focus on achieving your own healing goals. Some of our topics include:

How to safely and easily:

Prepare and eat live foods
Shop and stock your pantry
Detoxify your body
Meditate and experience stillness
Cleansing lymph nodes
Boosting your immune system
Strengthen your empowered self
Practice inner peace
Experience an infrared sauna

Classes include:

Raw Food Preparation
Food Planning
Herbal Detox Programs
Lymph Drainage Exercises
Colonics: Beyond Enemas - Benefits and Realities
Movement Freedom; Tips for Body Alignment
Visioning with Breathwork
Creating Your Healthy Future
Making Shifts Mentally, Emotionally and Physically.
Do You Need Dietary Supplements?

This is a life changing experience; a holiday worth savoring.