Category: Blog

January 20, 2020

Our Community Has Grown – Let’s Get To Know Each Other!

The Scented Balance Community has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year – thanks to each of you! I’d like to get to know you a bit better in order to make products that meet your needs.

And I’d like for you to get to know me better so that you understand what I do and, more importantly, WHY I do it.

Please comment below with your thoughts about aromatherapy or something that happened to you that helped you turn to pure essential oils.

I realize you may not want to share your story all over the internet, so if you’re more comfortable, email me at balance @ Scented Balance (dot) com. (Please remove all the spaces in my email address – I want to talk with you not robots!)

Please tell me:

Why do you use essential oils?
What drew you to using them in the first place?
How have they made a difference in your life?
What Scented Balance products have made a difference for you?

I’m an essential oil professional which means I went through over 300 hours of training in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, blending and case studies so that I know how pure essential oils will react with your body, mind and spirit. Sure, you can buy oils off the shelf but how do you know they’re safe for you?

That’s where I come in.

Why I’m an Aromatherapist

Nearly 15 years ago, I was faced with a medical fiasco. When I say fiasco, I mean that the medical community denied that I had a health problem.

My adrenal system was burned out, I had absolutely no energy, lived in a state of total exhaustion, sobbed uncontrollably at the drop of the hat and was going through menopause.

Y’all, I was a hot mess. That’s the cleanest way I can phrase it.

And 5 different doctors said I was just fine.

It wasn’t until several years ago that I learned about pure essential oils and their power to exact true physiological changes with so many health concerns.

When I first began using essential oils in 2014, one of the first issues I researched was Adrenal Fatigue/Burnout.

The more I researched, the more excited I got! I learned about all the pure essential oils that are ideal for restoring your body, mind and spirit.

I wanted to know if anyone else knew about essential oils. Since they’ve been used safely and effectively as medicine for thousands of years, why didn’t my doctor say anything about them?

Oh, wait. That’s right.

Pure essential oils actually help you without hurting you. That’s why doctors won’t (can’t) tell you about them. That means you might get well. And remember, a healthy population with a modicum of wealth can’t be controlled.

Don’t believe me? Follow the money trail of modern medicine and the medical mafia. It’s shocking and infuriating to know that as a population, we’re being kept sick (and broke) through modern medicine.

If you want to judge me as a sarcastic frosty B, feel free but I’m going to continue spreading the truth about aromatherapy as alternative and complementary to modern (toxic) medicine.

It’s my calling and my gift to show you just how powerful natural medicine is and how much better you’ll feel when you stop taking so many chemicals.

But, you gotta know that I cannot cure, fix or heal you. Only you can do that.

I simply have a tool that’s been used for thousands of years that helps your body do what it does best: heal itself.

This passion is why I fought for my dream of an aromatherapy shop so that you have an actual place to feel safe and comfortable discussing your concerns without being judged.

I want you to know someone is on your side who really wants you to feel better in body, mind and spirit.

My passion for the healing power of pure essential oils is why I set up my table and products at various festivals and events – I get to meet more of you, find out what I can do for you, get the word out about my shop AND share my passion with you.

I don’t want you to go through what I did especially knowing that I have awesome tools to enhance every area of your life.

What can I help you with today?

Please fill out this short contact form and let’s talk. I’d like to find out more about you and help enhance your quality of life!

Blessings,

Melissa

P.S. Come Smell Us!

January 7, 2020

Why This Flu Season Is The Worst in A Decade

Boo – it’s flu season and boy has it hit with a vengeance. Officially beginning in October, The CDC says this my be the worst flu season in a decade.

Why?

Because there’s two different strains making the rounds this year.

At this point in the season (we’re less than halfway through it), The CDC says that 6.4 million people have had the flu and over 55,000 have been hospitalized with it. Which is a LOT for this point in the season.

William Shaffner, MD who is an infectious diseases specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University says we’re getting a double whammy this year.

“This season has been dominated by a form of the flu called influenza B which is completely odd since influenza B doesn’t typically create large outbreaks.

H1N1 flu viruses are also starting to rise and we may have a double-barrel season of influenza B followed by H1N1. We have all these odd ingredients coming together so that we have, at this juncture, an awful lot of flu with the potential for being as bad as our last bad year, if not worse.”

Well okay then Suzy Sunshine! Let’s just spread a little good news, shall we?

Better to spread a little bad news now instead of spreading flu germs.

Speaking of flu germs, here’s a quick reminder of how to avoid the flu!

Avoiding The Flu

I write about the flu every year because it’s so dangerous. Just yesterday, I read that 2 years ago the flu season was the worst in a long time and this year is heading in that direction.

You can read my original post at “Understanding Influenza (The Flu).

The quick version of how to avoid the flu goes like this:

Wash your hands with plain soap and the hottest water you can stand. Using hand sanitizer simply kills off the “germs” that work to kill the flu and increases antibiotic resistance. (Meaning you get sicker.)
Don’t touch your face. Any germs you have on your hands will get into the tender mucous membranes of your eyes and nose and spread like crazy.
Do your best to stay away from anyone who is coughing and hacking. (Yes, Captain Obvious.)
Use extra care at day care centers and nursing homes as they are breeding grounds for the flu. Both of these populations are vulnerable to the flu and it’s worse for them than it is teens through middle adulthood. In both instances, large populations are in close quarters and the flu spreads like crazy.
Sleep! Get more sleep during the flu season. When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more susceptible to catching whatever is going around.
For those who don’t want to take a flu shot, PLEASE TAKE ELDERBERRY EXTRACT! It keeps your immune system in good shape and also helps immensely if you do catch a cold or get the flu. Elderberry extract is known to be an excellent anti-viral (think the flu) and an anti-inflammatory. It’s about 80 – 90% effective against the flu. Take one tablespoon every night before you go to bed. If you do get the flu (or even a common cold), take 1 tablespoon every two hours.

I have an immunity blend along with Elderberry Extract and Elderberry Wellness Syrup for sale online and in the aromatherapy shop in Kernersville. I’ll do my absolute best to keep you healthy using plant-based products that actually work.

Be well!

Blessings,

Melissa

December 16, 2019

Help For Holiday Depression

Boy, am I ever Suzy Sunshine – let’s talk about help for holiday depression! Actually, depression is very real and very serious especially at the holidays.

For many of us, the holidays are full of family, friends and joy. For others, the holidays bring on deep sadness, anxiety and self-reflection (which can easily turn into self-loathing).

Why?

What Causes Holiday Depression?

There are lots of triggers at this time of the year. Many of the causes may not affect you and roll right off your back but for someone who’s prone to depression (and anxiety), these triggers could send them down the rabbit hole.

Some triggers are:

Job stress
Financial stress
Not being with family during the holidays
Sleeping problems and fatigue
High holiday expectations and disappointment

This is really the tip of the iceberg and it’s easy to tell someone to get a different job; just hang out with friends or – the absolute worst – “what do you have to be depressed about? Snap out of it!”

Please don’t do that.

Depression and anxiety are invisible but very real forms of dis-ease. It may not be sadness that’s the obvious symptom. It could be headaches, fatigue, disrupted sleep or over-indulging in alcohol and food.

Feeling especially cranky and aggravated this time of the year? Depression may be your culprit.

Help For Holiday Depression

So, what can you do if this happens to you during the holidays?

Learn to set boundaries. Seriously, Saying yes to too many parties and over-extending yourself with holiday “chores” simply makes the situation worse.
Make time for yourself. If your best friend was struggling, wouldn’t you show him/her compassion? Then please have compassion with yourself and take care of you. Yes, it’s called self-care for a reason.
Do something different this year. Are you dreading the same old holiday tradition? Do what you can to start a new tradition of some sort. Yes, I know there are family obligations but even a minor change can soothe your outlook.
Watch your alcohol intake. While alcohol may temporarily numb the depression, in the long run, it makes the situation far worse.
Lower your holiday expectations a bit. We tend to think our holidays should look like a Norman Rockwell painting, when in reality, it’s more like All In The Family.

I’m not trying to make light of a difficult situation. Holidays are hard. Putting all your energy into one day saps you and sets you up for a let down. It happened to me for many years and ultimately, I had to stop watching so much TV because my life never looked like the Christmas commercials!

Depression is an area where aromatherapy makes a huge difference. Peaceful Ease Aromatherapy Rollerball is specifically for situational depression. The pure essential oils in this blend helps to balance your emotions and enhance your mood.

If Peaceful Ease isn’t right for you, then please get yourself a bottle of pure Bergamot – it’s amazing for depression.

Please let me know how I can help you. Fill out this contact form today and let’s talk.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

Melissa

December 2, 2019

Think Outside Your Browser

Well, it’s here. The madness of the holiday season. Is it just me, or is all the advertising for stuff we can’t live without relentless this year? It’s time to think outside your browser.

I’m going to ask very bluntly:

CAN YOU PLEASE SHOP LOCAL THIS YEAR?

I know you’re incredibly busy. I know you’re out of time. And yes, I know you don’t want to get in the car and shop local because it’s a royal pain in the ass.

Really?

Have we become so impatient and lazy that we have to do everything online now? (Oh, the humanity…)

Just how much money do you want Jeff Bezos to have in his bank account? You do realize that’s where it goes, right?

CAN YOU PLEASE SPEND 10% OF YOUR HOLIDAY DOLLARS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES THIS YEAR?

I’m not asking you to completely change your habits. I’m simply asking on behalf of all hard-working mom and pop shops to please give us a chance to show you that our shops have what you need.

It’s the small shops that keep our communities charming and unique and a fun place to live. I certainly won’t bore you with statistics about your dollars staying local (I know you could care less).

I would rather show you the human side of holiday spending. Each time you shop at a small business, we’re grateful, proud and relieved all at the same time. And we’re doing our happy dance because we love our local customers!

Some small businesses, like Scented Balance, have online shops, too. So if you really insist on online shopping, go to their website. It still makes a difference!

Not sure where to begin? Lemme help ya here:

At the Scented Balance Aromatherapy Shop, you can make your own scented bath salts (great for mom!); there’s organic tea, soaps, Himalayan Salt night lights, temporary tattoos and of course aromatherapy products that are pure and ready for gift giving (and a whole lot more). Why not give the gift of good health this year?
Mary’s Gourmet Diner is located in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They are a local landmark, have amazing food and a gift certificate would be perfect for grandparents or parents. You could all go out to dinner together!
Seamless Living, NC is owned by Beth Blair, a gifted artist. Her paintings are gorgeous and one-of-a-kind. That’s the gift that keeps on giving! Beth will give you a gift certificate so your recipient can pick out his or her painting according to their taste.
Jasper & Fern is owned by photographer Alyson Rorem and offers so much more! This unique mixed use photography studio offers hair and makeup, massage and yoga classes. Alyson is a gifted photographer who brings your inner beauty to life – perfect for a young professional. Again, a gift certificate is perfect!
I am part of the Ramey Dawn Wellness Spa in Kernersville, North Carolina. We have a wide array of practitioners and offer gift certificates for each one. You’ll find aromatherapy (that’s me), facials and skin care, massage therapy, mani/pedi’s, LED light therapy, laser-like liposuction, acupuncture and life/health coaching. All under one roof!
Rock Box Climbing Gym is perfect for the kids on your list. Instead of more stuff, you’re spending quality time with the kids in your life for a fun experience AND it gets them to put the smart phone away for a few minutes.
3 Pooches Pet Sitting & Dog Walking is a great gift idea for someone who could use a hand taking care of their fur baby. A great idea for someone who’s going on vacation or just plain frazzled and need a hand with Fido.

Do you see what I’m getting at here? Wherever you live, you can find a local restaurant, shop, boutique, photographer, day spa, artist, dogwalker – you name it! Instead of “stuff”, why not give an experience?

All of these gifts help you think outside your browser!

Plus – the best part is, you get to see your own town while you shop. Open your eyes and look at your charming town with fresh eyes – you’ll be amazed at what you find!

I would love to know where you’re shopping local this year – leave a comment below and PLEASE share this post on your favorite social media platform!

On behalf of small business owners everywhere, thank you for shopping small and shopping local – your support means the world to us!

Blessings,

Melissa

P. S. Free shipping IS NOT FREE. Just sayin…

November 18, 2019

Magic, Dreams and Mayhem

Ah, yes. Magic, dreams and mayhem. Sometimes, it all happens at once and boy howdy, we’re having fun!

Scented Balance, Inc. Aromatherapy Shop has moved to new BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL digs in Kernersville, North Carolina! Exciting stuff, especially when I think of where I began.

In my basement. Struggling to get the word out about holistic aromatherapy.

And just like a lucky penny, I keep showing up for you in my awesome aromatherapy shop and at events all around the Piedmont Triad.

Yes. I’ve come a LONG way!

I got most everything in place this past weekend and while it’s still a work in progress, it already feels like home.

Scented Balance is part of the Ramey Dawn Wellness Spa and we’re all moving to this new space. Some physical adjustments are happening as we speak to ensure each practitioner has the right space – including Scented Balance.

It’s all good and I’m so happy with how all of this has unfolded. The new space is beautiful, light, airy and offers so much more as a group of holistic practitioners than we did before in our old space. In the next few weeks, you’ll find additional services:

- Holistic Nail Technician
- Doctor of Chiropractic
- Massage Therapist
- LED Light Pain Management

Of course, I’m one of the holistic practitioners along with Darrell Brooks, our skin care therapist; Jason Trakas, our acupuncturist and Jessica Jones, our health and life coach. Patti Manuel will be moving into our space and she helps you with the pain management as well as laser-like liposuction.

All under one roof!

Make a day out of pampering yourself with a massage, facial, mani/pedi, manage your weight and enhance your entire quality of life with holistic aromatherapy.

Thursday, November 21st marks the very first event in the new Scented Balance aromatherapy shop – come get your awesome Fairy Hair from a real certified fairy and let’s celebrate the magic, dreams and mayhem together!

I’m grateful for this next step in my aromatherapy (and life) journey and I’m so happy you’ve chosen to come along for the ride. In the coming months, I’ll have more events, new products and surprises along the way including expanded shop hours.

Let’s talk today about how aromatherapy can make a real difference in your life – you can use this contact form, call or email – I can’t wait to talk with you! Come smell us!

Blessings,

Melissa