Butter is Best!

This is a topic which has been hounding parents for some time. Let’s put it to bed permanently. 

One of the healthiest whole foods you can include in your family’s diet is butter. 

WHAT??? I can hear many of you saying, “Isn’t butter bad for you? I thought margarine and spreads were better because they’re low in saturated fat and cholesterol?” 

Be not deceived folks! Butter is truly better than margarine and other vegetable spreads. Despite unjustified warnings about saturated fat from well- meaning, but misinformed nutritionists, the list of butter’s benefits is impressive indeed: 

Vitamins: 

Butter is a rich source of easily absorbed vitamin A needed for a wide range of functions in the body; from maintaining good vision, to keeping the endocrine system in top shape. Butter also contains all other fat- soluble vitamins such as E, K, and D. Awesome stuff! 

Minerals: 

Butter is rich in trace minerals, especially selenium, a powerful antioxidant. Ounce for ounce, butter has more selenium per gram than either whole wheat or garlic. Butter also supplies iodine, needed by the thyroid gland as well as vitamin A, also needed by the thyroid gland. 

Fatty Acids: 

Butter has appreciable amounts of butyric acid, used by the colon as an energy source. This fatty acid is also a known anti-carcinogen. Lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid, is a potent anti-microbial and antifungal substance. Butter also contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which gives excellent protection against cancer. Range-fed cows produce especially high levels of CLA as opposed to stall-fed cattle. It pays, then, to get your butter from a cow that has been fed properly. Butter also has small, but equal, amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, the so-called essential fatty acids. 

Glycosphingolipids: 

These are a special category of fatty acids that protect against gastrointestinal infections, especially in the very young and the elderly. Children, therefore, should not drink skim of low-fat milk. Those that do, have had higher rates and incidents of diarrhea than those who drink whole milk. Who needs that? 

Cholesterol: 

Despite all the misinformation you may have heard, cholesterol is needed to maintain intestinal health, endocrine health and is also needed for brain and nervous system development. This emphasizes the need for cholesterol-rich foods for children. Human breast milk is extremely high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Standing in direct opposition to all these healthful qualities is margarine and assorted vegetable oil spreads. While these may be cheaper, you’d never eat them again if you knew how they were made. All margarines are made from assorted vegetable oils that have been heated to extremely high temperatures. This ensures the oils will become rancid. A nickel catalyst is added, along with hydrogen atoms, to solidify it. Nickel is a toxic heavy metal, and some amounts always remain in the finished product. Finally, deodorants and colorizers are added to remove margarine’s revolting rancid oil smell and its unappetizing grey color. And if that is not enough, harmful carcinogenic and mutagenic trans-fatty acids are created in the process. YUM! To top it off, margarine is one hydrogen atom away from being a plastic. How would you like to spread some Tupperware on your toast? 

When looking for good quality butter, raw and cultured is best. Organic butter is your next best thing, with store-bought butter being at the bottom. It’s a few extra cents to get high quality butter for you and your family. 

Very simply, butter is far superior, especially the organic, grass-fed, and raw-milk variety. There is no substitute. Double YUM! 

March Newsletter

Your Amazing Immune System!

Your immune system is comprised of a complex collection of different cells and organs of your body. All these parts work together to protect you from germs, bugs, and viruses that decide to invade you. Although simply amazing, this system is fully under the perfect guidance of your Nervous System; it helps you recover when you’re sick. 

The main parts of the immune system are: 

White blood cells: Serving as an army against harmful bacteria and viruses, white blood cells search for, attack, and destroy bugs and viruses to keep you healthy. They are a key part of your Immune System. There are many types of white blood cells and each cell type either circulates in your bloodstream and throughout your body, or resides in a particular tissue, waiting to be sprung and unleashed into action – like your body snipers. Each of these cells has a specific mission in your body’s defense system. They all have a different way of recognizing a foreign invader, communicating with other cells on the defense team, and performing their function – to annihilate the invader. No mercy! 

Lymph nodes: These small glands filter and destroy invading organisms so they can’t spread to other parts of your body and make you ill. They are also part of your body’s lymphatic system. Lymph nodes contain immune cells that analyze foreign invaders brought into your body. They then activate, replicate, and send specific white blood cells called lymphocytes to fight off a particular invader. You have hundreds of lymph nodes all over your body, including in your neck, armpits, and groin, and so on. Swollen, tender lymph nodes are a clue your body is fighting an infection. It is killing an invader. It is annihilating a bug of some sort. 

Spleen: Your spleen stores white blood cells that defend your body from foreigners. Your spleen also filters your blood, destroying old and damaged red blood cells. 

Tonsils and adenoids: Because they are located in your throat and nasal passage, tonsils and adenoids trap foreign invaders such as bacteria, or viruses as soon as they enter your body. They house immune cells that produce antibodies to protect you from any foreign invaders that cause throat and lung infections. Although fierce, they are totally on your side! 

Thymus: This small organ in your upper chest beneath your breastbone helps nurture and mature specific types of white blood cells. The task of these calls is to learn to recognize and remember an invader so that an attack can be quickly mounted the next time this invader is encountered. 

Bone marrow: Rudimentary cells, called Stem Cells, in the spongy center of your bones develop into red blood cells, plasma cells, a variety of white blood cells, and other types of immune cells. Your bone marrow makes billions of new blood cells every day and releases them into your bloodstream to make certain you are healthy. 

Skin, mucous membranes, and other first-line defenses: Your skin is the first line of defense in preventing and destroying germs before they enter your body. Your skin produces oils and secretes other protective immune system cells. Mucous membranes line the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts. These membranes secrete mucus, which lubricates and moistens surfaces. Germs stick to mucus in the respiratory tract and then are moved out of the airways by microscopic, hair-like structures called cilia. Tiny hairs in your nose also catch germs. Enzymes found in sweat, tears, saliva, and mucus membranes, as well as secretions in the vagina, all defend and destroy germs. For that reason it is wise to lick a cut if you are not able to wash it first – your saliva will kill any germs that may be lurking there. 

Stomach and bowel: Stomach acid kills many bacteria instantly as soon as they end up in your stomach.
But you also have beneficial (good) bacteria in your intestines that kill harmful bacteria. These good bacteria are not damaged by your stomach acid for reasons that are not clearly understood. 

In its Innate wisdom, your body will not harm something that is beneficial to it. 

It is my hope this brief overview of your Immune System will help you understand how it protects and guards your health and wellbeing. 

And all under the perfect guidance of your Nervous System. Imagine! 

February Newsletter

Your POWERFUL body!

In the past twenty-three months, much has been said about Immunity. Our nations have been bombarded ad nauseum with conflicting information regarding this topic. Natural immunity, mRNA vaccines, lockdowns, vaccine passports, human rights, coercion, censorship, Pfizer, Moderna, as well as other companies, have been the staple of conversation across the United States and Canada, and globally.

These have not been easy conversations. Some of them have alienated families, friends, towns, and states, as many government mandates have not made much sense, and seem to have been launched in the face of science. At best, they have been a knee jerk reaction to the threat of sickness. Some have even been politically exploited. I know you’re shocked.

However, in all the hubbub, it appears we have become a little “lost.” Many of you simply don’t know which way to turn. I want you to know you are not alone.

It is abundantly clear, however, most people do not understand Immunity and the role your Immune system plays in your health and wellbeing. And that is why you’re reading my words. Right?

So...What is this Immune thing you are wondering? it is the protective mechanism of your body. It is the system that makes sure you survive at all costs. It wages war with any foreign agent – any bug, germ, virus, or particle that does not belong. Anything that is not part of your body. Is not part of you. Is not you. Is foreign. An outsider. You get the picture. And its task is to annihilate this invader. Remove it. Wipe it out!

Blow it away!

Here's the really cool thing: Your Immune System is under the perfect guidance and direction of your Nervous System. Surprised? Can you see why we are so adamant you get your children and family checked in our office? It is crucial! By now you probably realize your Nervous System controls every part of your being. As I have said umpteen times, your Nervous System controls all of you – even your mental state. This relatively new all-encompassing understanding is referred to as Psychoneuroimmunology. Whew! There’s a huge word for you!

January Newsletter

Innate Intelligence

You may be wondering: WHAT? What is that? And why is it so important? I’ve used these words when explaining your recovery to you, so here it is:

It has been coined the ‘Wisdom of the Body” by some, “Nature” by others, and “The Force” by George Lucas, producer of Star Wars. Chiropractors refer to this force as Innate Intelligence. It simply refers to your body’s own organizational ability and its ability to self-heal, self-regulate, self-thrive, and self-adapt. 

Deepak Chopra said it best: “Intelligence is present everywhere in our bodies . . . our own intelligence is far superior to any we can try to substitute from the outside.” 

There is a force we have inside us that guides our growth, our development, and our life. Examples of this force are ever present and are in our everyday environment. 

My very favorite is the bumblebee. You may not even be aware of this, but it never ceases to amaze me. According to scientists and computer models, the bumblebee can’t fly. Because of its weight, and ratio of its wings to its weight, the dihedral angle of wind assault, the speed of wing movements and other physical variables, it is mathematically impossible for a bumblebee to fly. However, bumblebees do not know this and fly anyway, defying all laws of science known to man. 

Did you know, for example, that every second of your life billions of cells in your body are breaking down foods, they are dying, and they are being reborn? Nerves are shooting information all over your very being and your lunch is being turned into muscle cells, heart cells, and skin cells. Damaged tissues are repaired and replaced, germs and cancer cells killed every minute, and the production of your cells and all chemical processes – approximately 150,000 - are being monitored every second. And all this amazing and wondrous activity takes place while you are sleeping, reading, or driving your car. Amazing, is it not? That is the wisdom of your body — Innate Intelligence.

Child Birthing Classes

Due to Covid-19, the past few months have been filled with worry, concern, and anxiety. Social distancing, stay at home orders, working from home, unemployment, the economy...The ongoing list of everything families are concerned about is constantly at the forefront of our minds. Expecting parents likely have even more concerns. Should I stay home? Is it safe for me to go to work? How will I keep my baby safe and healthy? Should I switch to a midwife and deliver at a birth center? 

Gaining knowledge, understanding, and developing skills throughout their pregnancy and birth can be crucial for parents during this time. One of the best ways to learn about pregnancy and birth is with a high-quality comprehensive childbirth class. Couples will learn what to expect during their third trimester, the entire process of labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn procedures, breastfeeding, and so much more!

Parents are looking for ways to have a safe and calm experience for the birth of their new baby. Childbirth educators like Kayleigh Searle are helping these moms and dads avoid unnecessary interventions and have an amazing birth through education.

"I love giving birth, but that came with time, learning, knowledge and empowerment. I wanted to give that same feeling to couples preparing to meet their little ones. I wanted Dad’s to feel confident caring for their partners, Mom’s to feel confident that their body is capable of bringing babies earthside, and couples to look back at the birth of their baby(ies) with satisfaction and confidence."   Kayleigh recently certified through Birth Boot Camp, a Texas based company.

Birth Boot Camp students attending Kayleigh's classes can choose from a variety of subjects. Options include: 

• Comfort Measures for Birth

• Hospital Birth Class

• Out-of-Hospital Birth Class

• Food & Fitness: A Program for the Childbearing Year

• 10 Week Comprehensive Class

• Siblings at Birth Class

• Homecoming: Life With a New Recruit, (a parenting class)

• And more!

"In the last decade we have seen a trend towards families wanting to have more say in their birth," said Donna Ryan, founder and president of Birth Boot Camp. "The training and curriculum we provide our instructors gives them the tools to help couples in their hometown have the amazing birth experience they desire. We are thrilled to welcome Kayleigh to the Birth Boot Camp family."

Kayleigh will begin classes in August. Click here for Upcoming classes.

Have Questions?

Classes will be held at our office in Shelley, ID.

How can Chiropractic help babies?

What is Health?

I’d like to teach a bit on health and what it truly means. Many people assume they are in excellent health but when digging deeper, they believe they are healthy because: 1. they do not have an illness or disease or 2. they rarely get sick. But the WHO specifically says that health is "not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Just because you aren't sick, doesn't mean you are healthy. 

During this time, the media and everyone on social media is preaching how NOT to get sick. What outward precautions to take. But we believe that we need to teach how to stay healthy! From the inside out.

I’d like you to take a look inside and ask: how is your physical health? Are you eating unhealthy snacks/junk food all day? Are you sitting on the couch binging shows/movies? Are you going for walks outside? Are you exercising? Are you eating plenty vegetable/fruits? Are you limiting your processed sugar intake? What are you doing to maintain, or better yet improve, your physical well-being?

How about your mental health? Are you feeling anxious/fearful? Are you looking forward to the future? Do you believe in the power of your body to fight illness? Are you meditating, journaling, or using another avenue to better your mental health? Are you seeing a therapist or other practitioner that assists you in have a better mental well-being?

What about your social well-being? I know that this one is struggling for a lot of people. And it's a huge factor in your health! Social interaction helps stimulate the Vagus nerve. Never heard of that? Well, it's become a hot topic among a lot of health professions. It plays a major role in your parasympathetic nervous system which helps to regulate many systems in your body. “Face-to-face social connectedness fortifies the "tend-and-befriend" parasympathetic response and engages your vagus nerve. This improves vagal tone and counteracts stress responses associated with "fight-or-flight" mechanisms. Social connectedness has also been clinically proven to improve heart rate variability (HRV), which is the measurement of variations within beat-to-beat intervals and indicates a healthy heart (From psychologytoday.com).” Are you having limited to no social interaction during this time or are you searching for ways to still have social interaction?

This period of time is allowing people the opportunity to reassess what is needed in their lives and what is not as important as what they once thought. Health may have once been far down the totem pole for many but is quickly rising in the ranks to being a top priority. If you’re wondering how you can make health a priority and how you can take charge of your health, please reach out. There are many ways to improve your health and many practitioners that can help but ultimately the responsibility it yours.

There’s a statement in chiropractic philosophy of Above-Down, Inside-Out (ADIO). What this means is that the brain (Above) is the control center of the body. The control comes from the brain (Above) and goes to the body (Down). As it goes down it begins “Inside” and travels “Out.” As it travels out, you not only are affecting yourself but are able to help others. 

How does ADIO philosophy relate to the principle of health? Health doesn’t come from an outside source. Health is already programmed inside all of us. Our bodies can and will fight off illnesses. You are designed to do so and far better than any outside source has the ability to fight off illnesses. The responsibility for you to achieve health doesn’t come from an outside source. Can outside sources help? Absolutely. Some examples in each category can be as follows:

Physical Well-being:

• Chiropractic: allows your nervous system to function without interference thus allowing for improved function of the body.

• Personal Trainers: provides an exercise program that best suites your needs

• Dietician/Nutritionist: assists in coming up with a well balanced food lifestyle that best suites your life.

There are many other examples of outside sources that can help elevate your physical well-being but it is still your responsibility. The Chiropractor can help but YOU must go to their office. The personal trainer may assist you in an exercise program but YOU are the one that does the exercise. A dietician/nutritionist may provide you a food lifestyle but YOU have to buy the food and choose to follow the plan.

Mental Well-being:

• Therapist: provides an avenue to properly process experiences of your life.

• Alternative healers: provide many different ways to assist in your mental well-being. 

• Friends: provide a safe place for you to vent and discuss what’s going on in your life.

• If you’re religious-God: prayer provides a way for you to discuss your needs with God and “let go and let God.”

You may have other outside sources that assist you in elevating your mental well-being but it is up to YOU to use them if you need. It is your responsibility to feel/deal/heal from mental struggles or hinderances in the present or past. 

Social Well-being:

• Friends: there is no better “face-to-face social connectedness” than interacting with a close friend.

• Mindset groups: provides an avenue to discuss goals and interact with people that want to achieve elevated levels of success and help you to achieve your goals.

• Sport leagues: for many sports are an avenue to not only interact with others socially but also provides an opportunity to improve their mental and physical well-being at the same time. 

• Hobby Groups: an avenue for people to interact with like minded individuals doing something they love.

Social well-being is one category that relies on others more than the other two. However, it is still YOUR responsibility to reach out and interact with others. You may be an introvert (like Dr. Randy) and think you do not need to have any interaction. However the interaction is needed. It may not look like an extroverts interaction, e.g. big parties or being around a lot of people. It may be one on one interaction or a large group for a short duration of time. But the more we realize how important our social well-being is to our overall health, the more we will seek opportunities to elevated our social well-being.

We at Elevated Life Family Chiropractic know how important it is to ELEVATE your health. We have been reminded, during this time, how important it is for us to educate and provide a safe place for people to not only learn but also to experience true health. We do our best at providing an opportunity for you to elevate your physical well-being through chiropractic adjustments.  While in our office we hope you feel comfortable enough to share your needs, not only physically but also mentally and socially. We opened Elevated Life Family Chiropractic in Shelley, ID because we want to be an asset to this community and provide a place for people to feel connected to others enough to help each other in their paths to elevating their health. 

We love hearing from you! Find us on social media: @ElevatedLifeFC, comment below or shoot us an email: info@elevatedlifefc.com

6 Ways to have a successful VBAC - and how Chiropractic can help

Vaginal birth after cesareans, or VBAC for short, are becoming more and more common. The saying “once a cesarean, always a cesarean” isn’t the case anymore. Mothers who try a VBAC are 80% more likely to have a successful vaginal birth, reducing maternal death rates, avoiding risky abdominal surgery and long hospital stays. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare and plan for a VBAC:

1. READ, READ and READ some more - Learn and study how to prepare for a vaginal birth. Some great books to read are:

   • The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (Sears Parenting Library) Sears MD, William

   • The Healthy Pregnancy Book: Month by Month, Everything You Need to Know from America's Baby Experts (Sears Parenting Library) Sears MD, William

   • Cut It Out Morris, Theresa

2. TAKE A BIRTHING CLASS: Taking a birthing class is a great way to prepare for a VBAC. Learn how to cope in labor, make choices before you go into labor, make your partner a part of your birth team. There are many options but my absolute favorite is Birth Boot Camp. They have out of hospital classes, in hospital classes, comfort measures classes and more! They are comprehensive and you get all the reading materials you’ll need. You can email kayleigh@elevatedlifefc.com if you have any questions!

3. GET ADJUSTED:  Many cesarean sections are done because of baby’s position or mom’s pelvis being misaligned. Finding a chiropractor certified in the Webster Technique can help you achieve that VBAC. The Webster Technique is a gentle adjustment, making sure that your pelvis is aligned and creating optimal space for your uterus and for your baby. You can read more here: https://icpa4kids.com/training/webster-certification/webster-technique/. Lucky for you, Dr. Randy is ICPA certified in the Webster Technique and is passionate about helping you achieve the birth you desire.

4. CHOOSE WISELY: You are in charge! You get to choose your provider and support team. Research, ask around and find a VBAC friendly provider for you. Make sure you ask what their VBAC success rate is. Actions speak louder than words! They can say they’re supportive, but their previous experience will give you the confidence you need. With their support and knowledge, an unnecessary cesarean can be avoided!

5. HIRE A DOULA: “The doula  is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.” (https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/) Having a doula is a must! They know how to support you, they know how to help your partner feel involved and understand how to comfort you, they know your feelings and what choices you have made and can help you stand by those choices.

6. POSITIVE VIBES: Surround yourself with positivity! Read VBAC stories, practice positive affirmations (http://balancedbirthsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Birth-Affirmations.pdf), and surround yourself with people who believe in you! Find support groups like ICAN or VBAC Facebook groups like The VBAC Link. And don’t forget that you are a rockstar goddess who can do ANYTHING!

Coronavirus and You

Whew! We know you are just as tired of hearing about COVID-19 as we are. Not because we don’t care about it or feel like it’s not important, but because we are just being inundated with information and opinions. But we feel like we have some information and light to share and hope to be a resource for you.

Many have asked if our office is going to stay open during this time. We are! Here’s a few reasons why:

Chiropractic boosts immunity! Frequent chiropractic care should be in your arsenal when it comes to prevention and immune building. When subluxations are corrected and your nervous system is functioning correctly, your cells can communicate better and fight off those nasty germs! Now, it’s not going to put a wall up around you and prevent you from getting ill. But it will help your powerful body to fight off illness quicker and more efficiently. Dr. Randy did a live video on Facebook you can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/1393968404062006/videos/1120832051596882/ 

We have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the body and it’s amazing capabilities. We want you to be able to come in with questions and concerns, feeling comfortable asking questions, and leave feeling empowered and educated. We fear what we do not know. When you are able to have the resources and education you need to feel like you can make the best health decisions for you and your family, the empowerment dispels fear. You can absolutely be in charge of your health. There are so many opinions out there. When you can take information, process it and use it to your advantage, there is power in that. We feel like conventional physicians aren’t taking the chance to talk about how to empower and prevent. They aren’t telling you to stock up on real, healthy, unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables. They aren’t telling you to get adequate sleep every night. They aren’t telling you to increase your fluid intake (with good choices like infused water, coconut water, real fruit juice, etc.) They aren’t telling you to take your vitamins. They aren’t telling you to exercise and move your body. Moving your body will strengthen your heart, lungs and mind! Moving your body gets your lymph (waste elimination throughout your body) moving. You can watch more here: https://www.facebook.com/ElevatedLifeFC/videos/442100099742177/ This boosts immunity! Your body is capable of so much when given the chance! (Disclaimer: Yes-washing your hands, sterilizing surfaces, social distancing is all beneficial. But true health comes from the inside, not out.) Kayleigh has done a video about some ways to boost your immunity through supplements and nutrition here: https://www.facebook.com/2056208678004111/videos/2570695199823466/ 

Stress is an immune system killer. When we are anxiety ridden and stressed out about our health, our families health, how the world is ending, etc., our bodies do our best to adapt. Our bodies are in fight or flight instead of rest and digest. Our adrenal glands are getting too much attention and sending out harmful hormones. At our office, Kayleigh does Energy Healing. She guides you through past traumatic experiences our bodies might be hanging onto. She teaches you techniques-Tapping, breathing, write and burn and other activities to help you reduce your stress and grow your positive mindset. We need to be thinking good and empowering thoughts. Our mental, emotional, spiritual health is just as important as our physical. Self care is important! This is all the stuff people don’t like to talk about. Like mentioned before, good nutrition, supplementation, water intake, good sleep, stress reducing activities are beneficial for your mind and spirit as well. You can be aware of the world around, but please don’t dwell on it. Raise your thoughts! You are a superhuman rockstar with a crazy powerful mind. Fear will lower your vibration. Gratitude and happiness can raise it! Some helpful tricks:

1. Take deep breaths. Belly filling breaths. Cleanse and build up your lung strength simultaneously. Let the air out slowly and thoughtfully. No chipmunk cheeks!

2. Make a list of things that bring you peace and joy. When our minds are so cluttered with fear and overwhelm, it’s hard to find those in there. If you have a joy/peace list, you can refer to it in times of crisis. Encourage all your family members to do it too! Some things on Kayleigh’s list:

   1. Hot, mineral baths.

   2. Aromatherapy: Some oils are proven to raise your vibration. Some are proven to relax. Find your favorites! 

   3. SLEEP. Be selfish. If you need a nap, find a way to make it happen. 

   4. Good nutrition. Smoothies, salads, etc. Make recipes handy or premise so you have it on hand. 

   5. Energy Healing: removing the interferences and allowing your body’s energy to flow freely. Clearing any blockages, resetting chakras and repeating positive affirmations. Try these ones: My mind is calm and at peace. My immune system is healthy and strong. My mind and body are healthy and vibrant. I radiate confidence, joy, and health.

   6. Crystal therapy: stones with calming and light characteristics. Selenite, amethyst and rose quartz would be good to have on hand when chaos ensues.

   7. Family time! Coloring together, games together, movies together. 

We hope you feel supported and empowered in your healing endeavors. We truly love helping you and teaching you. We have supplements here in the office. We have crystals. We have oils. We are here to help you! Use us! We hope you feel our love and passion for your wellbeing. 

— Randy and Kayleigh Searle

You can find us on social media where we share our thoughts, tips and tricks:

@elevatedlifefc

@kindacrunchykayleigh

Guest Blogging on Everyday Emotions

Hey ya’ll. Kayleigh here! I had a fantastic opportunity to guest post on Everyday Emotions blog where I share about Emotion Code and trapped emotions. Her blog is a great place to learn more about emotions and emotional regulation for ourselves and for our families. Head on over and check it out! In the meantime, here is my post:

Tell me about yourself and your family.

My name is Kayleigh Searle. My husband Randy is a family chiropractor in Shelley, ID. We have 3 wonderful boys 6, 4, and 1. I call our family “kind of crunchy” as we try our best to live a holistic life! You can find me on Facebook or instagram – Kayleigh Searle EC or @kindacrunchykayleigh.

How do you explain trapped emotions?

We all experience emotions. It is an integral part of being a human being! Many of us, though, have labeled some emotions as bad and some as good. We don’t want to feel those “bad” emotions like anger, fear, overwhelm, worry, anxiety, sadness, etc. so well…we don’t. We push them down and say, “Maybe another day.” This soon becomes our emotional baggage. Instead of feeling the emotions, asking them why they are there and what are they trying to tell us, we avoid and neglect. But they have to go somewhere. Those emotions are energy and when the energy becomes trapped, we experience blockages or interruptions in communication with our brain and our body.

Sometimes we are in situations where we may not have time or space to feel these emotions. For example, in the beginning of 2018, I was having many many thoughts or promptings that it was time to add a child to our family. Wouldn’t you know, we got pregnant quite easily and excitedly in June. In July, we joined my husband’s parents and siblings for a family reunion. Day three into the reunion, I started spotting. Having experienced miscarriages before, I knew the inevitable was coming.

Why here? 

Why now? 

We had plenty of activities planned and extensive travel and I just knew I couldn’t give these emotions the time and space that they truly deserved. Feelings of failure, sadness, grief, pain, overwhelm, discouragement, embarrassment, feeling like a burden to others, etc. I was heartbroken but I couldn’t do anything about it. All I wanted was to stay in bed and cry and give those feelings the attention they deserved. I yearned to go home but our vacation had just begun. So I put a smile on my face and pushed through.

After returning home, I had no desire to do anything. No desire to be a mother to the children I already have. No desire to get out of bed, shower, or talk to anybody. No desire to housekeep or help with my husband’s business. I had no desire to grow as a person or push myself to find my purpose. I was numb. I was stuck.

Luckily, I have an incredible team of family, friends, energy workers and healers behind me. We quickly got to work finding these trapped emotions, acknowledging them and then releasing them. They were addressed and validated and I found purpose. I found healing. I found desire to help others just as I was being helped.

How did you first learn about trapped emotions?

[The summer of 2018] was not my first experience finding and releasing trapped emotions. I was first introduced to the Emotion Code and energy work in 2015. After reading the book and finding a practitioner, I was probably having sessions done every 2-3 months. Growing, learning and understanding more as I worked through years of neglected emotions. I am now a certified Emotion Code practitioner and use techniques like muscle testing, intuition and meditation to help others heal as well. I believe that everyone has trapped emotions. I believe you can even be born with trapped emotions (but that might be a post for another day.  ). Many of us do not realize that our illnesses (mental or physical), feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and more may all be caused by trapped emotions in our body. They can affect us daily or they may resurface after a triggering event. My husband is a chiropractor and there are some times that an adjustment won’t hold or even release because there’s a trapped emotion causing a disruption. I find that so fascinating!

How do you actually release trapped emotions? (Is it going to be uncomfortable and bring up things I don’t want to remember or feel from my past?)

Feeling [difficult emotions] and pulling them up to the surface can sometimes be daunting and hard work. “It’s hard to feel the feels” as one of my energy working friends says. I believe though that [releasing trapped emotions] is almost a shortcut to traditional therapy as we don’t have to talk and find the issues, taking many sessions to address one feeling or emotion. Through muscle testing, we find the emotion, ask (our subconscious) if we need to know more in order to release, and then we release that emotion and it’s free to go. Most people release anywhere from 10-20 trapped emotions in one session! And when you are able to release these trapped emotions, you are able to find freedom.

How has your life changed because of releasing trapped emotions?

I feel lighter, I feel free from mind clutter and overwhelm, and I feel like my heart has grown ten sizes. I am able to give more and be more. I have felt increased physical and mental health. I have learned better emotional regulation and how to “deal” with those “bad” emotions. Those emotions aren’t bad. As Brittney has shared in previous posts, they are messengers. I have been able to teach my children and others how to be aware and how to process emotions better. I have been able to see myself as I truly am and find my purpose. Oh how I wish everyone could feel this way.

Thank you Kayleigh for sharing with us and helping us learn more about emotion work and how to progress to becoming more balanced and emotionally competent.