Infertility and Caffeine

Infertility (or subfertility as I've been taught to term it) is an area to which I am particularly drawn in my reflexology practice. The interest became very personal with the difficulties my grown children had in beginning families of their own. My experiences and personal research give me great hope that God may use me along with the giftings which He has given and the skills He has allowed me to acquire, to help couples overcome this challenge through reflexology. What a sacred privilege!

Along my journey of discovery on this topic and the health & wellness issues accompanying it, the premise that caffeine my have a very dramatic affect on fertility presents itself often. Once again this morning while working with a client facing this challenge, God's infinite leading prompted me to ask about her and her husband's caffeine consumption.

Doing a bit of research looking for statistics on the topic, this information from the website Helping Conception came to my attention.

Starting your day off with a cup of joe may help you wake up, but it can put your fertility to sleep. In clinical studies on women, drinking coffee was found to decrease their ability to conceive within 12 months. The more coffee the women drank, the more their fertility rate went down. While women who drank one cup of coffee a day had a 55% increased chance of infertility, women who drank three or more cups of coffee a day were 176% less likely to be able to conceive within a 12-month period.

While this comment mentions women only, similar statistics may be found on the connection between men's fertility and caffeine. It has been suggested that caffeine may give a very quick surge to motility of the sperm. The downside to that is at has also been studied and suggested that the surge is very short lived and then the motility may almost stop.

For those who may be challenged with subfertility issues, whether you or someone you know and love, this may be a very simple but effective key to becoming pregnant.

A small note here: remember that caffeine may be in coffee, tea, colas and other soft drinks as well as chocolate.

Foot Map for Reflexology

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Learn to read your foot

More about reflexology

Footsteps In Eden Reflexology features a larger size interactive foot map on our website, but thought it might be fun to share this little widget with you. Discover more about reflexology, a great non-invasive touch therapy which melts stress and encourages health through the feet, above and on our website.

Four Veggie Servings in One Tasty Meal!!!

Do you observe a daunting image when you study the food pyramid? After all, it is recommended that you include 3-5 servings of just vegetables, 2-3 servings of meat, fish, beans, poultry, nuts, and 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice, and pasta. Some real creativity is definitely in order to include all of these (and more) in one day's menu, and it's recommended we eat like this everyday to help our bodies maintain or improve good health.

What a great find: A full meal recipe (pictured above) from another Memphis blogger promoting health and wellness. Would you believe, 4 servings of veggies, 1-2 servings of rice, and 1-2 servings of fish? And, YES, it was tasty as could be. The hint of sweetness from the maple syrup on the salmon was delightful! Thinking of spinach generally brings to mind images of the baby spinach salad, but this frozen chopped regular spinach blended with the tomatoes, rice, and steamed carrots was such a treat! And then strips of avocado on the side. The meal was seasoned with additional flavors of dill, fennel, pepper and almond. YUMMY!!!!

Tonya Tittle, owner and director of training at Energy Fitness in Memphis, has several other recipes included on her blog. Be sure to visit and have a taste test. You will find the recipe here. Spending a bit more time on Tonya's blog, I believe you will find some very tasty and healthy new additions to your menus. Some may become your family favorites!

Fresh Salmon Entree from Energy Fitness

Fresh salmon...baked, broiled, grilled, chopped in sushi, prepared most any way is one of those favorites for my palate. This photo looks yummy, but what I would truly like to share today is pictured on another blog I'm following.
Energy Fitness, Memphis has posted what looks to be one delicious fresh salmon meal. It is definitely on my list of meals for the week...eager to give you a report on its delectable qualities!!! You'll find a beautiful and enticing photo of the prepared dish on their blog. Definitely a healthy choice with portion controls in place.

Winter Wonderland in Memphis

You might know it. The biggest snow in Memphis since 1968, and I was out of town! Nashville got some of it, but nothing like Memphis. Having moved here from snow country in 1970, I was very sad to have missed seeing all of this before it went the way of Frosty the snowman when the sun did its thing.

Forgetting my camera was a big bummer -- no pictures with little Isaac. The silver lining in that is I do have a couple photos to share shot Sunday with my forgotten camera. Thanks to my hubby who was at home!

Most thankful that I did not have to drive in it. My son-in-law was also in Nashville over the weekend. (I wasn't planning to come home until Monday -- Thank You, Jesus!) His adventures making the "drive" home, having left Nashville on Saturday afternoon, were quite intense. The normal 3 hour drive became a 21 hour drama. Thankful that we are all safely home again.

Crown of Flowers Buried in Winter Wonderland

Twist me a crown of wind-flowers;
That I may fly away
To hear the singers at their song,
And players at their play.

Put on your crown of wind-flowers:
But whither would you go?
Beyond the surging of the sea
And the storms that blow.

Alas! Your crown of wind-flowers
Can never make you fly:
I twist them in a crown today,
And tonight they die.

from SING-SONG: A NURSERY RHYME BOOK by Christina Rosetti

Last week I added this little poem to an "eventual" post. It seemed so appropriate today. Allow me to share.

Those beautiful jonquil photos I posted a few weeks ago...the display had become even more prolific and such a bright delight of the season ahead...almost able to touch that feeling of dancing on the spring breezes. Yesterday, my husband cut a few of those flowers, and delivered his bouquet via cell phone. Today the rest have been laid to rest, buried and frozen in the 8 inches of ice and snow that turned Memphis into a winter wonderland...a rare sight in our area. Indeed, "I twist them in a crown today and tonight they die."

Thankful to be warm and safe with my daughter-in-law and precious grandson in the Nashville area. My son-in-law was also in the area this weekend for school. He left at 3 pm yesterday. (It's 11:30 am right now.) It's a 3 hour drive to Memphis. Last we heard he was stuck at a truck diner about 30 miles from home...making himself at home cooking for the other stranded travelers. I know his girls will all be very happy to see him when he finally steps through the door of home once more...thankful now for the blessing that he is safe.

Scheduled to return to Memphis myself tomorrow, all prayers are coveted for clear roads and an uneventful trip. Perhaps there will be a few photos to share with you then.

Birds & Books with Lessons to Share

Bright little winter birds
coming to feed,
One takes a crumb,
another a seed.
Each takes a portion,
according to need.

Good little winter birds,
teach us your creed!

from MORNING IS A LITTLE CHILD by Joan Walsh Anglund

So many reasons to share this little poem with you today...copyright in 1969, 40 years later it speaks volumes to the conditions we have created for ourselves and our world. Each of us focusing on our needs rather than our greedy and gluttonous appetites for every dazzling trinket we behold would conserve incredible resources for the generations to come.

My daughter-in-law has recently blogged about "Children's Books as Heirlooms." She photographed several of our treasured volumes. Thinking about our conversations surrounding that topic, I remembered this book, which was one of my daughter's very favorite. She had every beautiful verse memorized. I remember our discussions of this particular one and how God does meet our needs. When he gives us even so much more, what blessings we receive. We choose to have hearts of gratitude for both our needs and the gifts beyond, and learn to be much contented with our true needs met.

Spending time together with your child discovering truths, values, ideas, stories that will encourage and inspire them for a life time must be another element in a life of health and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit! Another reason this just seemed to fit so well into thoughts and ideas offered to you. You will find great ideas for sharing books with your children on Amy's blog.

My daughter turns 33 in less than two weeks. This is still a cherished book on our family bookshelf. I'm looking forward to her 2 precious little girls loving it, too! Perhaps this would be best kept as a post for her birthday, but I'm eager to share today.


The photograph above:
In the Wood | photo page - everystockphoto

Posted using ShareThis

Juniper, Tiny Detail May = Great Rx

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."
I Kings 19:4 (New American Standard Bible)

He sat down under a juniper tree -- of what importance was the type of tree anyway that the author of I Kings was inspired to include this tidbit in his writing. That question jumped out at me as I studied I Kings 18 & 19 in preparation to lead the women's Sunday School class this week. The author's focus is "The Faith Test." (You may wish to read the account to refresh your memory on the details. The NIV calls it a broom tree, by the way. King James and New American Standard refer to a Juniper tree.)

Elijah's faith is certainly being put to the test here. He has just asked God to call down fire on the very wet offering in the showdown with Baal's followers. WOW! Has he ever seen some incredible proof of The Living God! So did all the Baal followers; and now Elijah's life is threatened. In just a few short verses we find him sitting under a tree bemoaning his condition to The Living God -- the same ONE. Eventually, Elijah did hear God in the midst of his life seemingly gone awry. . . but why under the Juniper tree?

Here comes the aromatherapist part of me seeking some insight. It's just no mere incidental that the author of I Kings was divinely inspired to include the make & model of the tree. Juniper has historically been used for physical and spiritual purification. It's aromatic influence is noted today for evoking feelings of health, love, and peace and may help to elevate one's spiritual awareness. Sounds like exactly the Rx Elijah needed. Isn't God's Word just full of amazing details!?!?!

Photo above, "Beautiful Tree at Echo Lake" is by Jessica Merz from the Every Stock Photo website.


If you would like to experience the benefits of juniper just as Elijah did, pure therapeutic grade Juniper Essential Oil and essential oils diffuser are available today from Young Living Essential Oils.

Sing & Dance for Your One True Valentine!

Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song,
praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
Zion's children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because God delights in his people,
festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!
Psalm 149:1-3 (THE MESSAGE)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Please Enjoy this Video

A facebook friend just shared this video. It is beautiful. The interaction between the fawn and the kitty is just so precious and tender. ENJOY!!!

Just 2 weeks ago we were in what seemed like the sub-arctic circle. Today -- Jonquils blooming!!! What a reminder of the resurrection power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Also, an appropriate reminder, I believe, to recognize His supremacy over all of life, especially in the bleakness of the circumstances all around us in our world today.

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Matthew 6:27-33 (The MESSAGE)

THEY ARE SEXY! They're also a Pain!

Ladies, they also make us emotionally feel on top of the world or at least a little closer to it. (That holds especially true if you're short like me.) Wait! For the tall slender types, they really lift you up there! They create the illusion of longer legs, we're convinced they are the ultimate in femininity. The pointy toe ones work wonders if you're seeking the long slim foot look. BUT physically, our feet scream all day and into the night -- especially if you must be in an upright position for hours on end with no chance to kick them off under your desk.

A few years ago, a young woman in her early 20's, an aquaintance of mine, loved her heels so much. She loved the way they looked and the empowering emotions they created in her mind and spirit. She wore them proudly every day. She had a whole wardrobe of these glorious spikes. She had done this since her teens. But now the pain she was enduring from the foot torture the heels inflicted had become excrutiating. This young lady faced the additional pain of foot surgery. She willingly submitted with the vision in mind that as soon as she healed she would once again daily don this glamourous footwear.

Somewhere I missed the logic in that young woman's choice. Of course, wearing these means you always have a weapon close at hand (or in this case, close at foot). In this author's humble opinion you also have a weapon on your foot -- a weapon of destruction of your own precious feet. I love to wear them to play "dress up," too. . . that is perhaps for an hour or two at a time with hopes that some of that time I'll be sitting down. For those who must wear them or choose to wear them regularly, please lovingly care for your feet.

I've been following a fellow reflexologist on twitter who has posted some great messages about the feet and health and the role of reflexology. She has just included a great message on this subject of "Love Those High Heels, Care for Those Tootsies." You are invited to read her thoughts at Ask Michelle.



Above photo by brittny teree smith from www.everystockphoto.com.
License agreement -- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Are We All Wound Up Chasing the Robbers & Thieves???

Complementing previous post on following the voice of The Good Shepherd, Jesus, our ultimate protector, even the protector of our time. Praying this bit of graffiti enhances the lesson shared in my last post. Reference THE HOLY BIBLE -- John 10:1-10. Have a blessed and abundant day!!!

Don't Have Enough Time? Whose Voices are You Following?

"I Don't Have Enough Time!" How many times have you made that cry? In our 24/7, gadgetized techi world with all of its instant gratifcations whose expectations are we meeting or not meeting? Whose life is more stressed out? (Now that's one we could probably all claim 1st Place in the one-up-manship contest.

On the day I was having a BIGTIME "time" meltdown, I also agreed to help lead a women's Bible Study entitled, The Frazzled Female. What I didn't count on was teaching the lesson entitled "I Don't Have Enough Time!" In the book the author states,

In my seminars I ask the question, "What causes you to be frazzled?" "Not enough time" is always at the top of the list.

It's probably at the top of yours too.

The author (Cindi Wood) sent us to John 9-12, which included The Parable of the Good Shepherd. In this passage which I know so well, and in a time I made to pull away from everything else to hear from the LORD on this lesson, I believe He did reveal to me a whole new way to look at this Word from THE WORD.

In the story, Jesus begins by talking about sheep knowing their shepherd's voice. The sheep won't follow any other voices, because the know the shepherd will lay His life down for them to protect them. Jesus calls the other voices those of strangers, thieves and robbers wishing harm on the sheep. Of course, He speaks of Himself as THE GOOD SHEPHERD. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him rather than those that would mean them harm. In return the sheep experience abundant life.

When we consider all the possibilities of the day -- all the voices calling our name -- all the activities that seem so important -- and we say let the multi-tasking begin -- Just whose voices are we following anyway? The strangers, the thieves the liars and the cheaters wishing to steal our precious time and energy. They may not even be the big things (probably not). But how about all the little stuff that just isn't that important.

Personally, I spent about 4 hours the week of my time meltdown just shopping for a necklace for a certain outfit that I had a vision about and hoped to wear to an event this weekend. Was it worth it. I can say absolutely "NO." My mission was unsuccessful and in the whole big scheme of things it really doesn't matter. I have another that will be beautiful, and carries no additional cost of precious time and resources. Whose voice was I listening to? The vision of my own crazy flesh and a bit of ego, I'm sure. That voice was a thief. A thief of about 4 hours of my time. That's not a lot, but certainly could have been used in a much more productive way, with much less stress.

When the layers are peeled away -- when we truly give the long "to do" list to The Good Shepherd and follow His voice, I wonder how many items on that list are really that important? He may require us to make some tough choices, but if we follow THE SHEPHERD'S voice He promises,

They may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 (NASB)

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 (The Message)

An abundant, more, better than I ever dreamed of life. That sounds like more than enough time to me! WOW!!! Consider consulting THE GOOD SHEPHERD (JESUS) and listen for His voice when choosing how you use your time today. You may just have more than you ever dreamed of!

Just Opened an Etsy Store

Not exactly a "health & wellness" issue, but would like to let my readers know anyway . . . . I just opened an etsy shop. Anyone out there with any great suggestions for promotion? Click on this button, go to LynnsTreasurePockets, look around and leave me some feedback please. I would be especially honored if you included me on your favorites at etsy. I'm believing this may be an awesomely perfect outlet for my creative adventures.

If you are a crafter, you will really want to look around this site if you are not familiar with it. There are some incredible handmades and lots of great supplies for crafting as well.

Frazzled -- Just a Bit!!!

Continuously amazed at God's sense of humor. Last Sunday I was asked to help lead our women's Sunday Morning Bible Study. The topic: The Frazzled Female. As I prayed about and contemplated this all week things were going pretty smoothly. You're thinking, "Yeah right, you're about to get knocked on your keester just about the time you think it's going so well!"

Of course, that is correct. I found myself in near tears, and at the same time laughing out loud at how ridiculous my whole unraveled week looked in the bigger scheme of things. I did make the phone call to accept the invitation. I knew that all of the week's events were just "material" to share in class.

This illustration pretty much sums up how I felt yesterday (although I did get things in a bit clearer perspective eventually). Today was a better day. Looking forward to tomorrow! The ever present question still in my mind however: "Just how do we set priorities and boundaries that keep us on a more even keel in our perpetual motion world?" Perhaps that is food for thought for more blog entries. I'll meet you there!

Locating a Reflexologist

Oh, so sorry . . . . I beg forgiveness . . . . many of my readers may well live outside (and probably do) the Memphis, TN area. To find a reflexologist in your own locality, please check out the directory of the Reflexology Association of America.

Reflexology -- Encouragement Toward Your Personal Hopes, Dreams and Goals in 2009

A new year with new hopes, new dreams, new goals. . . . Letting go of extra stress, taking better care of yourself, and renewed energy may well encourage you toward those hopes, dreams and goals whatever they may be. Consider these general, but incredible, benefits of reflexology and how they may provide some bigger than life solutions to improving your life in 2009.

Reduces Stress
Revitalizes Energy
Assists Functioning of Circulation
Assists Functioning of Nervous System
Assists the Cleansing of Toxins from the Body
Assists the Harmonizing of the Body's Systems Naturally
Preventative/Supportive Caring Touch

WOW! That's a lot of potential benefit! Appointments are available. Schedule your "experience" today!

Contact Information may be found at The Footsteps In Eden Website


Just a brief note here: Reflexology really is way more than a great foot rub! To learn more about Reflexology and Lynn Watson, Registerd Certified Reflexologist, please visit my website.

Merry Christmas from Footsteps In Eden Reflexology

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Reflexology Gift Certificates Available

Stress free shopping for you . . . a relaxing and stress releasing oasis in time for the recipient. Gift yourself, a friend, or loved one -- or all of you!!! Footsteps In Eden is offering a $30 savings when you buy three gift certificates between now and December 24th. See our website for details.