AromaTherapy Worx

Here are three beautifully balanced plates each designed to reflect the 70% alkaline / 30% acid ratio for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

🌅 Breakfast Plate
Alkaline (70%): Kiwi, berries, chia pudding with banana, spinach, sprouts
Acidic (30%): Scrambled eggs, crispy bacon

☀️ Lunch Plate
Alkaline (70%): Quinoa salad, avocado, steamed broccoli
Acidic (30%): Turkey sandwich with cheese, potato chips

🌙 Dinner Plate
Alkaline (70%): Sautéed spinach, roasted asparagus, mixed salad
Acidic (30%): Grilled steak with gravy, mashed potatoes

Is Ketosis Acid‑Forming? Yes… but not in the way people fear.
Ketosis does produce acidic molecules called ketones (acetoacetate, beta‑hydroxybutyrate, acetone).
So technically, yes — ketosis increases the body’s acid load.

But here’s the important part:

💛 Nutritional ketosis is NOT the same as dangerous acidosis. Your body is incredibly intelligent. When you enter ketosis through diet:
Your kidneys increase acid excretion
Your breathing adjusts to release more CO₂
Your blood pH stays perfectly stable
This is why healthy people can be in ketosis for weeks, months, or years without their blood becoming acidic.

🔥 So why is ketosis still considered “acid-forming”?
Because ketones are acidic, your body must: Use minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to buffer them.
Increase urine acidity as it excretes ketones.
Work harder to maintain pH balance.
This is why people on keto often need:
More electrolytes
More mineral-rich teas (nettle, oat straw, horsetail)
More leafy greens
More hydration

🌸 When is ketosis beneficial?
When done intentionally and supported with minerals, ketosis can:
Reduce cravings
Stabilize blood sugar
Improve mental clarity
Support fat burning
Reduce inflammation

This is why many women in menopause feel better in mild ketosis.

⚠️ When can ketosis become a problem?
Only when:
Minerals are low
Hydration is poor
The diet is too acidic (meat, cheese, coffee)
There’s underlying kidney or metabolic issues

This is why pairing keto with alkaline-forming foods is so powerful.

🌿 The Holistic Sweet Spot
You can absolutely be in ketosis and stay balanced if you include:
Leafy greens
Mineral-rich teas
Lemon water
Swedish bitters
Hydration
A 70/30 alkaline plate

This is the AromatherapyWorx way — balance, not extremes.

🌿 Ketosis vs Acidosis — Know the Difference

Many people hear the word *ketones* and immediately worry about acidity in the body.
But here’s the truth:

✨ **Nutritional Ketosis is safe**
⚠️ **Acidosis is dangerous**

Ketosis happens when your body burns fat for fuel.
It produces mild ketones, your blood pH stays perfectly normal, and your kidneys easily keep things balanced. Many women feel more focused, less hungry, and more energised in this state.

Acidosis, on the other hand, is a medical emergency.
This happens when the blood becomes too acidic — usually due to uncontrolled diabetes, severe illness, or toxins. It has nothing to do with a healthy low‑carb lifestyle.

🌸 Holistic takeaway:
You can safely enjoy the benefits of ketosis as long as you support your minerals, hydration, and greens. Your body is wise — it knows how to keep your blood pH stable.

Eating acid-forming foods doesn’t change your blood pH—but it can increase your body’s acid load, which may stress your kidneys, deplete minerals, and contribute to low-grade inflammation or fatigue over time. Your blood pH stays tightly regulated between 7.35–7.45, but your urine, saliva, and tissue responses can reflect dietary patterns. [biologyinsights.com](https://biologyinsights.com/can-food-throw-off-your-ph-balance/)

🧪 Why Blood pH Stays Neutral.
Your body uses buffer systems, lungs, and kidneys to keep blood pH stable.
- Even if you eat highly acidic foods, your blood pH won’t change unless you have a serious medical condition (e.g. kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes).
- If blood pH drops below 7.35 or rises above 7.45, it’s considered a medical emergency (acidosis or alkalosis).

🍟 How Acid-Forming Foods Affect the Body
While blood pH stays stable, acid-forming foods increase your metabolic acid load, which your body must neutralize and excrete.

This can lead to:

Effect | Description

🧂 Mineral depletion | Your body may pull calcium, magnesium, or potassium from tissues to buffer excess acid.

🦴 Bone stress | Long-term acid load may contribute to bone loss or reduced density.
😣 Fatigue & inflammation ~ Low-grade metabolic acidosis may increase inflammation and reduce energy.
🚽 Urine pH changes ~ Kidneys excrete excess acid, which shows up in more acidic urine.
💧 Kidney strain ~ Constant buffering and excretion may stress kidney function over time.

🥗 What Are Acid-Forming Foods?

These are foods that produce more acid during digestion and metabolism:

- Animal proteins: red meat, chicken, eggs.
- Processed grains: white bread, pasta.
- Dairy: cheese, milk.
- Sugars & snacks: sweets, fizzy drinks, chips.
- Coffee & alcohol.

🌿 How to Support Balance

- Eat 70% alkaline-forming foods: leafy greens, fruits, herbs, mineral-rich teas.
- Drink lemon water or herbal infusions instead of coffee or soda
- Use pH strips to track urine or saliva patterns.
- Support kidneys with hydration and bitters.

🌸 Holistic Tips:

“Your blood pH doesn’t change—but your body works hard to keep it that way. By choosing more alkaline-forming foods, you reduce the stress on your kidneys, preserve minerals, and support long-term vitality.”

What are mineral rich herbal teas:
Mineral-rich herbal teas like nettle, oat straw, horsetail, and red clover are excellent for boosting calcium, magnesium, iron, and silica—especially helpful for bone health, stress recovery, and hormonal balance. These teas are caffeine-free and ideal for daily use in your holistic practice.

🌿 Top Mineral-Rich Herbal Teas for Wellness
These teas are especially nourishing for women’s health, adrenal support, and pH balance.

🍵 How to Prepare for Maximum Mineral Extraction
Use dried herbs (1–2 tsp per cup)

Steep for 10–20 minutes (or longer for infusions)

Drink 1–2 cups daily

Combine herbs for synergistic blends (e.g., nettle + oat straw + red clover)

🌸 Holistic Tips for Your Clients.
These teas are ideal for mineral replenishment during menopause, stress recovery, or detox.

They support pH balance, especially when paired with alkaline-forming foods

🌿 Empowered Wellness Starts at Home 🌿
Did you know you can now explore your body’s sensitivities, from gluten to environmental allergens with simple, non‑diagnostic home tests?

I offer guidance and support with trusted kits like:
✨ Gluten’Alarm — for gluten sensitivity awareness
✨ Allergy‑Check® — for common airborne and food allergens

These tests are easy to use, discreet, and perfect for anyone wanting clarity, comfort, and deeper self‑understanding.

💛 Whether you’re navigating bloating, skin flare‑ups, sinus issues, or just curious about your body’s responses — I’m here to help you choose the right test and explore supportive lifestyle and aromatherapy options.

📦 Kits available for order
📱 WhatsApp support included
🌸 Holistic guidance every step of the way

If you’d like to learn more or place an order, just send me a message. Your wellness journey is yours to lead — I’m here to walk beside you with clarity and compassion. 🌿✨

Have you ever wondered about your Vitamin & Mineral status?

✅ 1. At‑Home / Self‑Initiated Micronutrient Tests in South Africa

✔ Get Tested SA – Micronutrient Test
Measures Vitamin D, B12, E, Iron, Selenium, Magnesium.
You book online, visit one of 200+ locations, blood sample taken by a nurse, results reviewed by a doctor.

✔ DNA Labs Africa – Micronutrient Deficiency Screen Test
Advanced screening using HPLC & ICP‑MS.
Tests 8 essential vitamins and minerals (A, E, Mg, Ca, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese).
Nationwide availability including Johannesburg.

✔ PATH 24 Labs – Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Testing
Blood tests for vitamin and mineral levels (including Vitamin D, B12, Iron, Magnesium, etc.).
Includes professional interpretation.

✔ Epicentre Functional Health Analysis
Comprehensive nutritional analysis including vitamins, minerals, metabolic markers.
Lab‑based but user‑initiated (no GP referral needed).

✔ ASSIC Nutritional Blood Tests
Measures a broad range of nutrients (Vitamin D, B12, Iron studies, Lipogram, etc.).
Lab-based but patient‑initiated.

❗ Are *true* self‑diagnosing (instant home‑use) vitamin/mineral kits available?
Not widely.
Most immediate self-tests sold in SA (e.g., at Clicks) are for pregnancy, HIV, UTIs, thyroid, etc.—not vitamins/minerals.

International at‑home kits (e.g., LetsGetChecked, Everlywell, Vessel) do exist, but these are **not SA‑specific** and may not ship locally or require international lab processing.

🧪Summary: What You *Can* Do in South Africa.

If you want a DIY-style vitamin/mineral check without seeing a doctor first, your best options are:

Best SA Options:

Get Tested SA – affordable, easy, doctor‑reviewed.
DNA Labs Africa – most advanced technology (HPLC, ICP‑MS).
Epicentre – the most comprehensive health package.
ASSIC / PATH 24 – broad nutritional blood panels.

What you cannot currently buy in SA
Instant home vitamin/mineral test strips (similar to glucose or pregnancy kits).
Handheld devices for mineral/vitamin status (none are medically validated).

✅ 1. Price Comparison of Vitamin & Mineral Tests in South Africa

Provider Test Name Price
Get Tested SA Micronutrient Test R1,550 Tests Vitamin D, B12, E, Iron, Selenium, Magnesium. Blood sample required; available at 200+ locations.

DNA Labs Africa Micronutrient Deficiency Screen R1,850 (on sale; originally R2,850) Tests 8 vitamins/minerals using advanced HPLC & ICP-MS technology.

Epicentre Walk‑In Lab ~ Various Nutritional Blood Panels ~ Varies by package (no specific micronutrient-only panel price listed) Comprehensive health and hormone panels; home kits or major city labs (not PE-specific).

PATH24 Labs Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Testing ~ Price not listed. Standard blood-based micronutrient testing.

Dis‑Chem Clinics Basic lab tests (vitamins vary) Price varies by test. Vitamin D, B12, Iron etc. may be available; done through partner labs.

📍2. Closest Testing Locations in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

Below are the verified local options where you can have blood drawn for vitamin/mineral testing.

⭐A. Providers with Confirmed Locations in Port Elizabeth

1. Get Tested SA — Supported in Port Elizabeth
PE is explicitly listed among their 200+ national sites.
You book online, choose “Port Elizabeth”, and they match you with the nearest partnered laboratory.

Most practical option for micronutrient testing in PE.

2. Dis‑Chem Pharmacy Walmer Park (PE), Shop 105 Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Main Rd, Port Elizabeth.
Dis‑Chem Clinics offer blood sampling and health screenings; vitamin tests run through partner labs.
Good if you want a convenient pharmacy‑based clinic setting.

3. Medical Laboratories in Port Elizabeth (for test collection)
These labs can draw blood for tests ordered through providers like PATH24, Epicentre (if supported), or your healthcare provider:

Ampath – Greenacres Laboratory, 2nd Floor, Suite 212, Greenacres Hospital, Cnr Cape Rd & Rochelle Rd.
Performs blood tests including vitamin levels.

PathCare – Gqeberha Central / Greenacres, Multiple branches in central and Greenacres Hospital.

NHLS Provincial Laboratory – Mount Croix, PE, C/O Buckingham & Eastbourne Rd, Mount Croix, PE.
Public sector laboratory (may require doctor referral).

🌿 Introducing Swedish Bitters: A Gentle Digestive Ally.

Feeling bloated, heavy, or sluggish after meals?
Your body might be asking for a little bitter wisdom.

Swedish Bitters are a traditional herbal blend used for centuries to support digestion, liver health, and gentle detox. Just a few drops before meals can help your body:
✨ Break down food more efficiently
✨ Reduce bloating and gas
✨ Stimulate digestive enzymes and bile
✨ Support regular bowel movements
✨ Calm sugar cravings and emotional eating

🌸 What’s Inside?
A powerful mix of herbs like:
• Dandelion root
• Gentian
• Aloe
• Angelica
• Chamomile
• Myrrh
• Saffron
• Ginger

Each herb plays a role in awakening your digestive fire and restoring balance.

🧪 How to Use
• Take 10–20 drops in water, 10–15 minutes before meals
• Use once or twice daily
• Avoid if pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have ulcers

Why I Love It
Swedish Bitters are more than a supplement, they’re a ritual.
They invite you to slow down, tune in, and honour your body’s rhythm.
Perfect for anyone navigating menopause, emotional eating, or digestive discomfort.

If you’d like to try Swedish Bitters or learn how to make your own, I’m here to guide you.
Let’s bring balance back to your belly naturally. 🌿✨

🌸 How to Choose What’s Right for You:

🍏 Choose ACV if you want:
• Support with blood sugar balance
• A stronger digestive kick
• Help with cravings or sluggish metabolism

🍋 Choose Lemon Water if you want:
• A gentle, hydrating morning ritual
• Skin and immune support
• A mild, daily detox companion

🌿 Choose Herbal Bitters if you want:
• Better digestion before meals
• Relief from bloating or heaviness
• Liver and detox pathway support

💛 AromatherapyWorx Wellness Tip
You don’t need to choose just one — many clients use:
• Lemon water in the morning
• Bitters before meals
• ACV occasionally when digestion feels sluggish

Your body will always tell you what it prefers. Listen gently, adjust mindfully, and honour your own rhythm. 🌿✨

Acid/Alkaline forming foods:

Here’s a simple guide to help you make nourishing choices:

🥑 Alkaline‑Forming Foods.
(Support balance, hydration, and mineral richness)

🌿 Vegetables:
Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Cucumber, Celery, Beetroot, Carrots, Sweet potato, green beans, Zucchini.

🍉 Fruits:
Lemon & lime, Watermelon, Avocado, Berries, Apples, Bananas (ripe), Grapes, Mango, Papaya.

🌱 Herbs & Greens:
Parsley, Coriander, Wheatgrass, Spirulina.

Fresh herbs

🥜 Other Alkaline‑Forming Foods:
Almonds, Herbal teas, Coconut water, Quinoa, Tofu, Olive oil.

🍞 Acid‑Forming Foods
(These don’t need to be avoided — just balanced with alkaline foods)

🍖 Proteins:
Red meat, Chicken, Processed meats, Eggs, most seafood.

🍞 Grains & Starches:
White bread, Pasta, White rice, Pastries, Crackers

🧀 Dairy:
Cheese, Milk, Cream, Yoghurt (mildly acidic)

🍬 Sugars & Processed Foods:
Sweets, Fizzy drinks, Chips, Fast food, Packaged snacks.

☕ Drinks:
Coffee, Alcohol, Energy drinks.

💛 A Simple Way to Use This List:
You don’t need to cut out acidic foods — just aim for a plate that’s 70% alkaline‑forming and 30% acid‑forming.
This gentle shift can support your energy, digestion, and overall sense of wellbeing.

If you’d like help understanding your body’s pH or want to try easy at‑home pH strips, I’m here to guide you with clarity and compassion. 🌿✨

Love this. 😍

This week's metaphysical and metaphorical summary of Torah portion: Vayakhel–Pekudei: A Gentle Summary.

Vayakhel
Moses gathers the entire community and invites them into sacred participation. The people bring offerings, materials, skills, devotion, to build the Mishkan. Artisans like Bezalel and Oholiav channel divine inspiration into craftsmanship. The portion emphasizes Shabbat, reminding us that even holy work must be held within sacred rest.

Pekudei
This section accounts for every item used in the Mishkan. Nothing is random, nothing is wasted. Once the work is complete, the Mishkan is erected, and the Divine Presence fills the space. The book of Exodus closes with the image of a people who have transformed from slaves into co‑creators of holiness.

🌿 Metaphysical & Metaphorical Reasoning:

Vayakhel–Pekudei is the story of building a sanctuary, externally and internally.

🜂 Vayakhel: Gathering the Sparks:

Moses gathers the people just as we gather the scattered parts of ourselves.
Every skill, every emotion, every fragment of experience becomes a “material” for the inner Mishkan.
Nothing is too small, too ordinary, or too broken to be offered.

This mirrors the meridian system in TCM: energy flows best when all parts of the body‑mind are acknowledged and integrated. When we “gather” ourselves, qi begins to move with purpose.

🜁 Pekudei: Accounting for the Light.
The detailed inventory teaches that spiritual life is not vague or mystical, it is precise, intentional, and embodied.
Just as each thread of the Mishkan is counted, we are invited to take sacred stock of our own lives:

What am I carrying?

What am I offering?

What am I building?

This is energetic bookkeeping, like checking the flow of qi, the balance of yin and yang, the alignment of purpose and action.

🜃 The Mishkan as the Inner Body:
The Mishkan becomes a metaphor for the human being:

The outer courtyard is the physical body.

The inner chambers are the emotional and mental layers.

The Holy of Holies is the quiet, untouched core of the soul.

When all layers are aligned, the Divine Presence, our deepest wisdom can dwell within.

🜄 Shabbat as the Breath Between.
The reminder about Shabbat teaches that creation requires rhythm.
Just as breath has an inhale and exhale, and meridians have cycles of fullness and emptiness, spiritual work must be balanced with sacred stillness.

🌟 A Closing Thought
Vayakhel–Pekudei whispers that holiness is not found in grand gestures but in intentional assembly, of materials, of community, of self.
When we gather our scattered pieces and account for them with honesty and love, we become a living sanctuary where Spirit can rest.

Without clean water we die!

DR ANTHONY TURTON: Scientist Warns The Water Mafia Is Fueling Joburg’s Crisis in Explosive Interview South Africa is heading toward a crisis far bigger than loadshedding.In this explosive interview, water expert Dr Anthony Turton reveals how South Africa’s w...