There is a myth that salt is not healthy, but salt in our body, like many other minerals, is necessary! There is a difference between table salt and sodium. Table salt is a compound called sodium chloride (NaCl).That means it’s made of: - Sodium (Na) → a mineral your body needs - Chloride (Cl) → another mineral that helps with fluid balance and digestion So when you sprinkle salt on food, you're getting both sodium and chloride. Sodium is just one part of salt—a single mineral (an electrolyte). In the body, sodium: - Regulates fluid balance - Supports nerve signaling - Helps with muscle contraction On nutrition labels, you’ll always see “sodium”, not “salt.” When you use salts like sea salt or mineral salt, you’re getting: - Sodium + chloride (like all salt) - Trace minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium—small amounts, but supportive) More importantly, these salts are usually: - Used in whole food cooking - Paired with nutrient-dense meals - Consumed in a slower, more regulated way In this setting, sodium is buffered and balanced, not overwhelming your system. What Your Body Actually Feels (this is the key) With whole/mineral salt: - Supports hydration (especially with adequate water) - Helps maintain electrolyte balance - Works with your body’s natural signaling - Often improves energy and stability With processed-food sodium: - Pulls the body toward imbalance - Can contribute to: Fluid retention, Blood pressure shifts, Increased inflammatory load - Often paired with blood sugar spikes → crashes - Adds to overall stress load on the system Instead of focusing on restriction: - Cook more meals at home - Use mineral-rich salt to taste - Stay hydrated - Pay attention to how your body responds after eating

Well we made it home (not without issues). My computer is in the shop, the travel trailer slide broke, we had to take it slow getting home, but we are home safe and sound! We did have a wonderfully relaxing “working” vacation and I feel rejuvenated! I was having this conversation with a client this week: We need at least - 1 hour daily of rest/recreation activity (out with friends, rest, intimacy, etc). 1 day each week of actual rest from work pressures (can include spiritual activity, games, fun). 1 weekend each month (get away from it all, can be just going each day to the lake or park). 1 week every 6 months (again, similar to the weekend - just go!) When we implement this in our lives we find that we create a safety pattern for ourselves. This isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity. Our minds and bodies are build for this rest and without it, we burn out early, become unhealthy (both mentally and physically), and succumb to dis-ease. Take time to rest and recharge!

Well, I should be writing a Monday post for body reflection, but my cute little graphics are on my computer and it is dead. Actually the battery needs to be replaced. But that means everything I have is not accessible. And I won’t be home until the 23rd to get it fixed. This is life, ups and downs. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that make us stressed or anxious, even angry, but rather than dwelling on what goes wrong, pivot and do things differently. So, I chose to do things differently! Today, and the rest of the week while traveling, I will post about other things and we can still have lively conversations here in Skool. What do you want to talk about? Comment below and I’ll write a post about it.

There are so many chemicals called food in our lives here in the US. So, I suggest that we cook more often, with real ingredients, and no short cuts (except maybe an instant pot). We have lots of convenient ways to cook in our world compared to building a fire and cooking over it in a cast iron pot (although that is a skill that is lost today). Even many foods are convenient at the grocery: chopped, diced, frozen. So, prep and process is no longer as time consuming and even cooking can be quick. Share your favorite quick recipe below and I'll share one here: Italian Chicken and Rice Use slow cooker or instant pot Ingredients: 1-2 lbs organic or free range chicken (we use boneless skinless thighs) 32 oz of organic Italian dressing 1-2 cups of wild or black rice Instructions: Cook rice until done (sometimes we use left over rice) Put chicken pieces and dressing into the slow cooker or instant pot and cook until chicken is done (we like it falling apart) You can serve the chicken over the rice and serve with a salad Sometimes we add the rice to the chicken and dressing in the instant pot for a quick one pot meal - cook for chicken to be done on pressure. This does make the rice very mushy, but is more like a casserole than anything. Bon Appetite!

I have NEVER been a fan of water, but this past week I’ve been getting up and fixing a quart of water and drinking THE WHOLE THING before going to work. THIS morning, I got up and was actually thirsty for WATER! WINNING!