by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 9, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
The other day I tried a Shanti Bar. I am not a fan of meal replacement bars, in general. Most of them taste like cardboard and many of them have soy in them, which makes them taste like chalk, but it also makes me sick. Some of them have tons of sugar in them too. I don’t tend to think about grabbing a bar on the go because if I don’t like it, why would I eat it?
However, I may have found a bar I could imagine eating again. It came from a friend and I felt compelled to give it a try since it didn’t include soy. I held my breath for my first bite, but was pleasantly surprised. Now, don’t get me wrong, it was not like a treat but it was tasty. In reality if it tastes like a treat, I might be compelled to eat too much of them at one time, so this is a good thing. It does taste healthy. It does smell healthy. According to the nutrition facts, it is healthy. Which makes it a good option for throwing in your bag as you run out the door or even to take when you go for a hike or to eat after a workout.
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by Summer D Clemenson | Aug 17, 2020 | Essential Oils
Since 2011 I have been using Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils® alongside traditional Western Medicine to maintain a healthy body, elevate my mood & clear my thoughts.
I believe that some people require medications to be well, but for minor & occasional use, oils can help you feel better in your mind and body. I recommend that if you choose to use Essential Oils that you only choose Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils® that have been presented in their purest form.
Why do I think this is so important? Because you get what you pay for. I am not willing to say that dōTERRA is the only high quality brand available, but I do know that I have tried cheaper oils that you can find in any store and they are just not the same; dōTERRA Essential Oils smell so much better and they do not have cheep fillers. dōTERRA utilizes the highest quality ingredients they can find. They require 50 more purity tests than the law requires. This company also does not have any shareholders to impress because they are privately owned. That says a lot to me. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Jul 10, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness, Wellness
Our bodies require a lot of planning towards success in order to create the quality of life we want. Our personal wellness includes many aspects that come together to equal our overall health and satisfaction. A Wellness Plan is a cohesive proposal for the goals we want to achieve and how we intend to reach those goals. A Wellness Plan is dynamic and very personal to each person.
Why Do You Need a Wellness Plan?
Creating a Wellness Plan helps to define goals that will help you reach and maintain your balance between personal and work responsibilities. Many times we have trouble putting our own needs above others because as a society, often times, we do not put value in our own self-care, however when we put a focus on our personal, physical and mental well-being we create positive emotions and energy. Positive emotions and energy impact how we interact with society, our family and friend relationships, our work, our financial well-being, community presence and influence, and the quality of life after we stop working. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Jun 26, 2020 | Opinions
The following article is an editorial. This article is not meant to be fact but my own personal thoughts. Today we are all in pain. God bless your American Heart, we are in mourning, in my opinion, and the anger and fear of what might happen next is very understandable. In the last 5 months, we Americans, and the rest of the world have been through something most of us have only read about in books. On top of all this, politically, our country has been beat about the head and heart for so long…no matter what you believe politically, it is a general consensus, from my viewpoint, that we have become set on opposing lines and the ones who scream the loudest are painting a very stressful picture. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | May 26, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
In this day and age we hear a lot about gluten. I have heard many people that make jokes about people who eat gluten-free, like they are just trying to be special. However 1 in 100 people, around the world has Celiac Disease, many of which do not know they have it, or that long-term health complications may be in their future. There are some people who’s bodies are unable to digest or break down gluten. This is called gluten intolerance and the level of sensitivity varies between people. But there is a difference between gluten intolerance and people who have Celiac Disease. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | May 19, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
May is Mental Heath Month. Since 1949 many mental health organizations have observed this month as a time to use media, local events and screenings to educate people about mental health. 1 in 5 people will experience mental illness in their lifetime so it is important for us all to be supportive of each other and those we love. This year’s theme is Tools 2 Thrive.
There are many interesting tools and links on the Mental Health America Website
This year, Jamie decided that I would be challenged with writing about Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) because she likes to stretch me…and I have GAD…in fact at one time or another my many therapists have considered all, but 1 of the following types of anxiety disorders for me…So far they have decided I have 3 out of 5 of them…but we are going to focus on just one today… (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | May 15, 2020 | Food, Fuel Your Wellness
Karen loves eggs! She can eat them all day long and never get sick of them. She doesn’t care how they are prepared. She doesn’t care what time of day it is. She will always enjoy an egg or two. To be honest, they are an inexpensive way to get a little protein in, so I don’t mind that she enjoys them so much.
I have to be honest here. I am not a morning person. If you ever see me in the morning (which can be any time before 2 pm) and I look like I am enjoying myself, I could be giving you a good performance. That said, it works best for my family if I find ways to have food in the fridge for Karen, who tends to get grumpy when she is hungry. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | May 6, 2020 | Education, Fuel Your Wellness, Wellness
There are really no cons when we are considering Workplace Wellness Plans. There is something special that is created when ‘I’ becomes ‘we.’ Companies that foster their employee’s wellness can creatively encourage healthy competition among their staff and not only see better health in their workforce but create a workplace where people work together. At Rightline Equipment in Rainier, Oregon they often have wellness contests, like weight loss contests. This encourages employees to eat healthier and work together to implement healthy habits among themselves and while they do this they support each other to reach their personal goals. This not only leads people to change their lifestyle but they get sick less often and miss less work time. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Apr 28, 2020 | Education, Food, Fuel Your Wellness
FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols. All these scientific terms are used to describe groups of fermentable carbohydrates that commonly trigger bloating, gas and stomach pain in people with sensitivities.
The main dietary sources of the four groups of FODMAPs include:
- Oligosaccharides: Wheat, rye, legumes and various fruits and vegetables, such as garlic and onions.
- Disaccharides: Milk, yogurt and soft cheese. Lactose is the main carbohydrate.
- Monosaccharides: Various fruit including figs and mangos, and sweeteners such as honey and agave nectar. Fructose is the main carb.
- Polyols: Certain fruits and vegetables including blackberries and lychee, as well as some low-calorie sweeteners like those found in sugar-free gum.
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by Summer D Clemenson | Apr 20, 2020 | Education, Fuel Your Wellness
Cannabis can be a very powerful tool in use as a pain reliever for those suffering with chronic pain and illness. Cannabis works alongside our nervous system to block certain pain receptors. This is key to living a good life with chronic pain. It may not be the way for everyone, but it was a game changer for me.
What is our Nervous System?
Our nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells known as neurons. These neurons send signals between different parts of our body, telling them what to do. Our nervous system is like our body’s electrical wiring. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Apr 16, 2020 | Education, Fuel Your Wellness
What is Talcum Powder
Talcum Powder is made from talc. Talc is a mineral that contains magnesium, silicon and oxygen. In its natural state, some talc also contains asbestos. Talc that has been purified from asbestos is generally what is used in consumer products.
The reason talcum powder is used is that it absorbs moisture well and helps cut down on friction so it is good for helping to keep skin dry and prevent rashes; which is why it is often found in baby powder and adult body and facial powders. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Apr 10, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
Lupus is a Chronic Autoimmune Disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Chronic means that is long-term and there is no cure. Lupus can be either localized or systemic. Systemic means that it relates to an entire part of the body and not just one spot. The inflammation that Lupus causes can effect several body systems including: heart and lungs, blood cells, kidney, skin and joints.
Inflammation is caused when your immune system fights an infection or injury in our body. Lupus tricks your body into thinking that healthy tissues are injured or infected. This causes symptoms like swelling and pain because of cellular break down. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Apr 8, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS is a very common disorder that affects the large intestine. IBS affects 3-20% of the US population, depending on ethnicity, gender, communication abilities, education, financial and coexisting medical conditions. Luckily IBS doesn’t cause changes in bowel tissue or increase a person’s risk of colorectal cancer, yet in rare cases IBS can cause intestinal damage.
Other names for Irritable Bowel Syndrome are: spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. IBS is a different condition than Inflammatory Bowel Disease in that a disease is a separate diagnosis with a treatment, and a syndrome is a collection of ongoing symptoms that don’t necessarily have one cause or cure. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Mar 30, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness, Wellness
If you are experiencing a
Mental Health Crisis
and you are located in
Cowlitz County
please call:
Cowlitz County
Mental Health Crisis Line:
(800) 803-8833 or (360) 425-6064
Numbers for surrounding counties are located at the bottom of this article
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by Summer D Clemenson | Mar 26, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
Amino acids are organic compounds composed of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and variable side chain groups. Amino Acids are referred to as the building blocks of protein that conduct many vital processes like syntheses of hormones and neurotransmitters. Your body needs 20 different amino acids to grow and function properly; 9 of those amino acids are referred to as essential amino acids and they can only be obtained through our diet. One essential amino acid is called phenylalanine…
Although they play a role in the main topic of this article, amino acids are not the main focus. This article was written to tell you about Phenylketonuria. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Mar 24, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness, Wellness
March 24, 2020 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day! Every 4th Tuesday in March it is the hope of many that people who are at risk developing of Type 2 Diabetes will learn what they need to know to avoid or manage this disease.
Diabetes is a chronic illness where your blood sugar is too high because your body is not allowing the glucose in the food you eat to properly enter your cells, to be used for energy. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone made by your pancreas that helps this process. In people who are Diabetic, sometimes their body does not make enough insulin or their bodies are insulin resistant so the sugar in your body stays in your blood instead of being burned properly. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Mar 19, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness, Wellness
Self-Care is a vital part of life that I think many of us have little to no knowledge of. I know I didn’t 10 years ago. Just like many other people, it took me getting really sick to make me start learning. I don’t want this to happen to you so here I am putting together an article that might inspire you to make healthy choices for your mind, body and spirit.
Every person is different and with that in mind, you have to take time to learn what you need to be at full capacity. What someone else needs might be close to what you need, but not necessarily your ideal. We can do this by really paying attention to our bodies to learning how much and what kind of stress we can handle, exactly how many hours of sleep we need during times of health and when we need to disconnect from the world to catch our breath and reset our mind, body and spirit. (more…)
by Summer D Clemenson | Mar 17, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
This article was last updated on October 25, 2020
COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold and to more severe diseases like: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV.
Wellness Works NW does not own Forever Fit Gym, if you have questions please contact the gym at 360-425-5611.
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by Summer D Clemenson | Mar 5, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
March is National Kidney Month
National Kidney Month was started to bring awareness to kidney disease. Often times people don’t know they have kidney disease until their kidneys are damaged so it is important to know if you should be tested.
What Do Kidneys Do?
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by Summer D Clemenson | Feb 27, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
February is Kids ENT Health Month and since pediatric ear, nose and throat disorders are still some of the most common reasons children visit the doctor we thought we should tell you about it.
Common ENT Illnesses in Children
- Ear infection is the number one reason children go to the doctor.
- Acute Otitis Media is also know as a middle ear infection.
- Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by strep throat or the common cold.
- Sinusitis is inflammation in the sinuses, usually caused by the common cold or allergy and can include upper respiratory or throat infections.
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by Summer D Clemenson | Feb 20, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
February is National Children’s Dental Care Month. This event is meant to bring awareness that for 75 years water fluoridation has helped children stay hydrated while preventing cavities. Thousands of dedication professionals, healthcare providers, and educators want to promote good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and the general public.
Interesting Children’s Dental Care Facts
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by Summer D Clemenson | Feb 14, 2020 | Fuel Your Wellness
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This national effort is meant to bring awareness regarding abuse in teen and 20-something relationships. Because wellness also includes our mental and physical safety we want to share some information about this topic because EVERYONE deserves a safe and health relationship.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-866-799-SAFE (7233)
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