Ease Your Joint Flare-Ups* Have you ever stood up from a chair, then under protest, your joints scream at you with a snap, crackle and pop? If so, you’re not alone. As we get older, life’s simple pleasures like gardening or playing with grandkids can make you feel like you just ran an Olympic event! There is no need for this to retire you from life. With the right nutritional care and lifestyle support, the joys of movement can be celebrated again, transforming every step into a source of freedom rather than frustration.* Why Me? One day you're bouncing out of bed and the next your knees are whispering sweet reminders of the years that have gone by. Ahh, the joys of aging… What gives? Beneath these sensations lies a deeper story that your body wants to tell. And more importantly, it's an opportunity to explore how restoring nutritional balance in your body can help bring back the vitality your joints once had.* As we age, those helpful hormones,   testosterone and estrogen , start to take a dip, making it tougher to maintain healthy cartilage and manage a healthy inflammatory response during times of stress.* Over time, this inflammation can create an oxidative stress that can work quietly beneath the surface, slowly eroding our protective padding that keeps our joints flexible and mobile.   Our ability to digest food  and absorb essential nutrients (that help manage this inflammatory response and keep oxidative stress in check), slowly declines with age.* Now, add in the effects of stress, lack of sleep, and some other bumps and bruises along the way, and it’s no surprise our joints don't feel as springy as they used to. No worries though, they are just needing a little extra love! What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About: Corticosteroid Injections If you have joint discomfort, it's likely you've been offered steroid injections, but this quick fix could come at a long-term cost. Research suggests this may not be the best short or long-term option. While these injections may or may not ease discomfort momentarily, you risk further damaging your cartilage and speeding up arthritis progression. Instead of chasing short-term relief, experts are suggesting a more sustainable approach to support your joints naturally!* Use and safety of corticosteroid injections in joints and musculoskeletal soft tissue: Guidelines from major pain and spine societies. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2025 Feb 26. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2024-105656. Foundations for Health: Provide The Essentials Early The key to keeping your joints healthy isn’t about a quick fix to try to treat the pain when it strikes -- it's about giving them the "TLC" they need every day.* The secret? Slow and steady wins the race! It’s about nourishing your joints early on (before the symptoms get bad), at a foundational level, with essential nutrients that are the necessary building blocks so they stay strong for years to come.* The Triumphant Trio Nourishing your body with the three natural ingredients can be a sustainable solution in laying the groundwork for getting yourself back on the offense and maintaining joint strength and flexibility for years to come.* 1.  Alaskan Cod Liver Oil:  Ever wonder why cod liver oil is a renowned joint health superstar? It’s all thanks to its naturally occurring Omega-3s and vitamins A and D.* When Cod Liver Oil is provided in its most natural triglyceride form, these whole food nutrients work by promoting joint function and supporting a healthy inflammatory response.* Only the all-natural triglyceride form of Cod Liver Oil (not the ethyl ester form), has the biological activity of Omega-3's (DHA and EPA).  These Omega-3s provide naturally occurring pro-resolving mediators (PRMs), like resolvins, protectins, and maresins, to help the body manage inflammation naturally.* Additionally, when Cod Liver Oil is manufactured to maintain its triglyceride backbone (as AzureWell’s Alaskan Cod Liver Oil does), it creates the perfect fatty acid matrix to deliver naturally occurring vitamin A (as retinol) and vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) to aid in bone and joint health, and tissue repair.* Together, these nutrients help maintain the integrity of cartilage, reduce joint stiffness, and promote overall joint comfort and flexibility.* 2.  Glucosamine Sulfate:  This unique formulation (which does not come from shellfish), acts as a precursor for proteoglycans which ensures the robustness and flexibility of cartilage.  Proteoglycans are crucial for joint function.* Glucosamine Sulfate also acts as a catalyst in the production of hyaluronic acid, promoting joint lubrication and fluid motion, thus reducing wear and tear on joints.* 3.  Pure Collagen :   AzureWell’s Pure Marine Collagen features a hydrolyzed collagen which delivers bioavailable peptides and amino acids, like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.  These are essential for rebuilding and repairing cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.* This amino acid and peptide matrix from hydrolyzed collagen provides essential building blocks of type II collagen, which maintains the structural integrity and elasticity of cartilage.* Hydrolyzed collagen also naturally promotes the production of hyaluronic acid, enhancing joint lubrication and cushioning.* By contributing to the health of joint tissues and supporting a healthy inflammatory response, hydrolyzed collagen helps alleviate joint stiffness, improving mobility, and protecting against cartilage degeneration.* Ease Joint Flare-Ups with Triple Strength Support* Does your discomfort have you living your life in survival mode, just passing the time instead of truly living? AzureWell’s Ease & Comfort for Joint & Tissue  is a triple-strength botanical blend, clinically formulated to immediately act in strengthening joints and easing joint flare-ups to promote healthy joint function while easing minor aches from daily wear and tear.* At the heart of this incredible trio is Andrographis paniculata , a centuries-old herb patented as ParActin™, clinically demonstrating its ability to naturally support the body to keep inflammation in check.* Formulated with ParActin is White Willow Bark Extract, to help ease everyday discomfort, and Sodium Hyaluronate, which helps keep your joints hydrated and flexible.* Enjoy What You Love When it comes to keeping joints happy and flexible, a little extra care can go a long way! Alaskan Cod Liver Oil, Glucosamine Sulfate, and Pure Collagen (along with Ease & Comfort for Joint & Tissue when you need it), come together to create an aggressive joint health program. This trio works to promote healthy cartilage and joint mobility while providing relief of minor pain so you can keep on your feet and continue enjoying what you love, everyday!* What Science Is Saying About Andrographis vs. Turmeric AzureWell’s Ease & Comfort for Joint & Tissue features a patented extract of Andrographis paniculata  which studies are suggesting is faster (and perhaps even more biologically effective) in managing healthy joint function than turmeric’s curcuminoids!* Researchers are fascinated by this herb's ability to promote PPAR-γ, a key protein that helps naturally balance NF-kB activity - the body’s trigger for our inflammatory response systems.* When NF-kB is properly regulated, its harmful chemicals like COX2, prostaglandins, and interleukin-6 don't get out of hand, helping to ease joint flare-ups and better manage a healthy inflammatory response. For we are God's masterpiece . He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT “Our body is God’s masterpiece of movement. So, nourish it with His seed-bearing plants and it will keep us moving and grooving with balance and grace.” - H.R. Payne

Botanical Clay for Stinky Armpits, Breakouts, and Bonding Let’s be honest for a minute and talk about that special phase in parenting no amount of well-meaning advice can prepare you for — adolescence. Somewhere between sweet toddler hugs, those masterful works of art you cherish by hanging on your fridge, and handing over the car keys, your sweet little angels start to smell … not-so-sweet.  There is a wealth of information about how to care for your babies, toddlers, and school-aged children naturally—any other baby-led weaning, organic feeding, cloth diapering mamas out there? But the information gets more sparse when you are navigating the murky waters of body odor, breakouts, and beauty advice when you are fighting tooth and nail to keep things holistic. If you are here, you are probably already that  mom. The one who reads the labels, knows her way around natural deodorants, and maybe even has been accused of running an “ingredients house” by kids who are bombarded by the pressures of the consumerist society we live in. That’s why I want to share one of my favorite crunchy mom hacks: AzureWell’s Botanical Body Clay . Clay: Not Just for Spa Days This is not just another fancy face mask you will buy, use once, and let expire. This clay is on heavy rotation at our house. It’s made with mineral-rich clays and botanicals designed to pull toxins, oils, and odors right out of the skin. Bonus? It is gentle, nourishing, and actually fun to use!   Let me tell you how you can turn clay into one of our favorite family bonding rituals. The Armpit Detox  By middle-school-age, most kids start to smell like they are training … for a marathon … in the summer … in Texas. Just my kids? To be fair, we live in Texas, but I digress. Why does this work? The minerals in the clay pull out odor-causing bacteria, sweat buildup, skin cells and remaining residues. It is a gentle and natural reset for armpits big and small. Mama Tip : Make this part of your monthly (or weekly) routine. Add a drop of limonene oil or  tea tree oil  (for stubborn stink from bacteria). Your laundry and your nose will thank you. Your pre-teen may even thank you, too!  Botanical Clay Recipe for Armpits: 1 tbsp of AzureWell Botanical Body Clay 2 tsp filtered water  Directions : Mix ingredients in a wooden or stainless steel bowl until you get a smooth paste. Think peanut butter, not clay. Experiment with the clay-to-water ratio until it feels spreadable.  Lovingly summon your teen to the “spa” for treatment. Apply generously using a clean popsicle stick, or they can spread the paste directly on the skin. Cover the whole area. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes. It may not dry entirely. Rinse. Doing this pre-shower is a good idea. Showering is an easier removal method, and they can follow with a Castile soap  or whatever they normally use to cleanse their skin.  Dry and sniff! If the smell is not totally gone, you can repeat weekly. When used with regular cleaning and natural deodorants, this can be a game changer for the smelly stage. Botanical Breakout Buster Raise your hand if your kid (or you) have stood in front of the mirror in full panic mode because of breakouts. Me too, friend. This clay pack is a lifesaver. It is mild on the skin, but tough on the junk that lies under the surface, clogging pores. You can mix up a little to dab directly on problem areas, or use it as a full face mask.  For the girls, especially those who want to start experimenting with makeup and skin care products (some of it is full of junk you wouldn’t put on a pancake), this mask is a natural alternative to support healthy skin without toxic chemicals. It is a good lesson that the best skin care is simple, and comes from nature itself.  Got boys? They are more receptive to using “mud” vs. something marketed to girls. This mask is basic and effective, and no one feels like they have to sneak into their sister’s skincare to tackle a zit. My son ended up enjoying this and would often ask to get in on our self-care routine.  Sometimes we sit together, mud masks on, and have one of those moments you wish you could freeze in time. Messy buns, clay face, and all!  Mama Tip: If you are in that fun stage of your own life where hormones have you breaking out like a teen, this works for you too! Add a few drops of  lavender essential oil  to the mix. You can mix the clay with aloe  instead of water for extra hydration.  Botanical Clay Recipe for Face : 1 tbsp of AzureWell Botanical Body Clay 2 tsp filtered water  Directions : Mix ingredients in a wooden or stainless steel bowl until you get a smooth paste. Think peanut butter, not clay. Experiment with the clay to water ratio until it feels spreadable.  Lovingly summon your teen to the “spa” for treatment. Apply generously using a clean popsicle stick, or they can spread the paste directly on the skin. Cover the whole area. This is a good thing to do after a shower when pores are open.  Set timer for 10-15 minutes. It does not need to crack and dry, it may not dry entirely.  Rinse.  Gently pat dry.  Follow with a gentle moisturizer if necessary.  Motherhood can be challenging, and sometimes you have to turn survival into celebration. At our house, clay masks have made their way into slumber parties, spa nights, and emergency breakout situations over the years.  There is something grounding about gathering your kids, mixing a little clay, and giving everyone permission to be silly, messy, and human together. You may even get a funny selfie - this one you can cherish, but you probably can’t hang on the fridge! Hopefully at the end of these years when you are launching young adults into the world, you will all not only love each other, but really like each other, too.

Our AzureWell Practitioner's Favorite Supplements When asked to choose one favorite product from AzureWell it was difficult to choose just one. Therefore, I have chosen my two favorite products to share with you. Favorite AzureWell Product #1 The first is Azurewell Heart Support , which has been a game changer for the person most important to me. He had been on three prescriptions for high blood pressure. Prior to AzureWell products arriving on the market, he was taking hawthorne berry & garlic capsules, and a cayenne tincture – as recommended in his Qest4 bioenergetic scans. He had asked me to find a capsule form of the cayenne, as my tincture had a high heat index. About that time, AzureWell supplements were released, and I quickly searched for a replacement in their offerings.  I was pleased to find Heart Support, as it contained many of the same key herbs, as well as other powerful herbs such as olive leaf and cardamom to support healthy blood pressure.* The additional ingredients made for a more complete formula, and he immediately started on AzureWell Heart Support. He currently monitors his blood pressure at home with a blood pressure cuff.  He is now only taking one prescription drug, one or two times weekly, and a partial dosage at that, primarily on stressful work days. He loves the AzureWell Heart Support and what it has done for him, and intends to be completely off prescription drugs soon. F avorite AzureWell Product #2 Secondly, I want to share why I recommend AzureWell Para-Punch GI Defender frequently in my practice. Biofilms show up fairly often with my clients. Biofilms can create a physical barrier around bacteria, fungus, and parasites – pathogens that can individually wreak havoc, making it more challenging for the body to maintain a balanced gut environment. When these pathogens are “glued together” and hiding behind a biofilm, they are more difficult to detect and be eradicated by one’s own natural defense system. Biofilms accelerate the growth of these pathogens as well, allowing it to spread throughout the GI tract.  I instruct my clients to take a capsule with each meal, preferably three times daily. This formula contains wild bear's garlic. Garlic contains allicin which is known to disrupt biofilm growth.*  Pathogens encased in biofilms can also challenge the body’s natural defenses that help the body to regulate its natural inflammatory pathways. AzureWell’s Para-Punch GI Defender contains several excellent ingredients, including eugenol, that helps promote a balanced immune system modulating a healthy inflammatory response.* Most often I recommend pairing this product with Kutaja Gut Advantage , and my clients realize very good results promoting healthy gut function.*  Find out more about Rita Shimniok, Certified MSA on our Find-a-Practitioner directory. The dietary supplement products offered by AzureWell are not intended for consumers to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose, or mitigate any disease or medical condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information provided by licensed healthcare providers is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.