Category: Uncategorized

Hooray for Hemp!

January 24, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

I am a girl who is in love with Hemp products and I want to tell you why! First off, hemp is great for our environment. It is naturally resistant to insects and pests. So, it requires no harmful chemicals that pollute our soil and groundwater to grow. Hemp actually pulls pollution out of the soil!!!

Hemp is so diverse that there are literally thousands of uses for this eco-friendly plant. I am so looking forward to the days when America gets on board with Hemp Production that can produce sorely needed biodegradable packaging to replace plastics that are leaching toxic chemical into our land and water.

When I was running for State Rep, I advocated for the Industrial Hemp production here in Minnesota. I wanted to help bring awareness of the benefits that hemp has to offer and the employment opportunities it could bring! An Industrial Hemp Manufacturing Facility could put a whole lot of people to work here in central Minnesota. Farmers could grow a crop that does not pollute the water and a local manufacturing facility would support all sorts of workers from office personnel to drivers and machine operators. I hope one day I get to see this dream realized!

Did you know that the human body is equipped with cannabinoid receptors that allow us to process the medicinal uses of the hemp plant? But what about it being a drug to get you high, people ask. Even if you ate a whole Hemp plant, there wouldn’t be a mind-altering high. Yet Hemp is very medicinal in so many ways! Hemp is not marijuana. Hemp has been proven safe and effective for many uses. I have a friend who is a Hemp farmer and he suggests being sure you are using pure organic hemp products that have not been grown with pesticides. You do not want to ingest any of those!

Hemp products I have used that really work!

CBD – CBD comes in many forms, I have been using it in lotion, as it helps when my hands are aching from overuse. According to the Canabo Medical Clinic website; CBD drops that have been proven to have a positive effect on pain, seizures, anxiety and sleep issues.

Hemp oil – You can use in cooking, beauty products or skin care. I’m thinking Hemp oil will become the new coconut oil. Both be used effectively for multiple things.

Hemp seeds – Are full of nutrients that the body needs! Just add them to a salad or smoothie. They are full of protein at 9 grams per tablespoon, unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help our bodies function better. They are high in Omega-3 and that promotes heart health. They are also known to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Hemp-based Shampoo and Conditioner – I recently tried a local Hemp artisans, beauty products out of curiosity. I must tell you that the one product I am over the moon about is the shampoo and conditioner. I have been having a problem losing my hair at an unsustainable rate. I was very concerned actually. By divine guidance, I was led to this hemp product that has slowed my hair loss by at least 75%. My scalp feels healthier and I am actually growing hair again! My head is thanking me for not subjecting it to all the added chemicals commercially manufactured products have! (This is my personal experience anyway.)

Hemp Fiber – This is one of my favorites! As an environmentally aware person, I am truly ecstatic about the prohibition of Hemp being reversed. Hemp fibers can be used to supplement and replace many of the uses and reasons we cut forests down for! Hemp fibers can be used for building materials, paper, textiles, paint/stain, biodegradable plastic, biofuel, food, animal feed and so much more!

I hope this blog has helped inform you a little more and made you more open to trying Hemp products! I am so excited about the extraordinary possibilities for the health of our planet and ourselves that Hemp has to offer.

*This is not a paid ad, just a girl sharing what I love!

Wishing you an abundance of magical blessings!

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

This is nuts! Did you know squirrels plant our forests?

January 20, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

You may not know this about me, but I am a huge animal lover. Of course, I love dogs and cats, but I love all animals. Even gators, lions, tigers, bears and more! I often sit at my kitchen table to write. I have a wonderful view of the wildlife that surrounds our house. I choose to feed the birds and critters all year long; because they bring me peace while I watch them out my window. I get to enjoy seeing wild turkeys, possums, raccoons, deer, squirrels and lots of birds! It’s like my own wildlife reality show.

Raccoon

Heard of deer

Possum on the porch

Not long ago I was reading an article, on the National Wildlife Federation blog spot, that stated a great many of the trees in our forests are planted by squirrels! I suppose it makes sense. If a squirrel does not dig up the acorn, they hid in the Fall by that Spring, that it would probably sprout. I never put the two together before but knowing this has brought a much greater appreciation for squirrel shenanigans than I have had previously.

Every place the Adventure Sisters camp, the squirrels are always the first to visit us. A couple of years ago while my husband and I were camping with Stacy and Marty, we were all woken by a feisty red squirrel throwing pine nuts onto our kayaks we had stored under his tree. I am sure the squirrel was just throwing them onto the ground, so it could more easily gather them for safe keeping later. Each time it dropped one, it sounded like a small firecracker going off at 6 am.

Marty called out to my husband from his tent. “Is that you Jay?” my husband replied; “Nope. It’s the squirrels pelting us with pine nuts.” Jason had woken up early and was reading a book in his camping chair, just watching the whole situation go down. At the urging of our campsite critters, we all decided it was just time to get up and enjoy the morning too.

Squirrels make me laugh as they hang upside down raiding the bird feeders, no matter where I try to put them. They will chase each other and do acrobatics all over the porch and in the yard. Squirrels have also learned to communicate with me through the windows. I swear they peak right into my window, holding their little paws together as if they are praying. Then look at me with their big adorable eyes and seem to say; “Excuse me Mama, but the feeder is empty, and we would all like some more.” As I imagine them speaking in a Tiny Tim voice.

It just goes to show, that all animals on this planet have a purpose. From the pollinating bees to the eagles in the trees. The squirrels that reside in the live oaks of the south or the mighty pines of the north; are all a huge asset to our forest environment. Our forests produce oxygen that keeps us alive, provides shelter, prevents soil erosion, filter groundwater, and give us beautiful views. Squirrel should probably be every environmentalist mascot if you ask me!

I fully believe that all animals are sentient beings with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Any animal that can show fear, can also show affection. If cats and dogs can express their selves, then so can any other animal. If you take time to observe them, you can see it too. I like to respect all animals, as I do any other living being, because we are all here for a reason.

By giving the squirrels the space, they need to feel safe and help them put food in their bellies; I feel like I am doing a small part to help keep our little piece of forest alive and show my appreciation. They are giving me way more than I give them. I hope this blog helps you see the magic in all the critters we have been blessed to share this planet with. They are helping us and the planet!

Wishing you an abundance of magical blessings!

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

*pictures taken at my home in Princeton, MN.

Divine intervention that gives you Goosebumps!

January 18, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

Have you ever had something bad happen, only to realize that it was a good thing in the end? I have a story, I’d like to share, that is just this way. As a lone practitioner Massage Therapist, I like to get to know my clients and we often become friends. Clients will spill their hearts out on the table, releasing mental stress as I help them relieve their physical stress at the same time. I love that I am able to offer the comfort and feeling of safety to do so. My clients leave my office feeling better and I take great pride in that.

After almost a decade of being in business, I have picked up some regular clients that come to see me like clockwork. I do my best to make sure that these clients get in as soon as possible, because I know they need it. I had this one client whom I will call ‘Fred.’ (*) Fred was a regular client who was very active, in fact, Fred enjoyed working as a fitness instructor. When Fred called one day, telling me about an ache in his leg that would not go away, I wanted to help.

We made an appointment for the very next day, but when morning came, I woke up very sick. I had come down with the flu! Oh man, I had to call and cancel Fred’s appointment and I felt horrible about it. I was so sick with fever and other flu symptoms that I had later forgot to call Fred back to reschedule. As time does, it flew by and before I knew it, more than a month went by before I heard from Fred again.

Fred made an appointment and came in, he told me a story that made me ‘very thankful’ that I had come down with the worst sickness I’ve had in a long while that day.

Fred came into the door and said, that night we canceled his appointment, the pain in his leg got so bad he decided to go the Urgent Care. While at the clinic, the doctor immediately sent him to the hospital emergency room. The doctor was concerned the pain was from a blood clot and the hospital confirmed this. This blood clot broke loose and traveled up to his lungs. Fred nearly died! He had to be hospitalized for a long while but thankfully pulled through!

What made my heart stop was the realization that; had I NOT been sick that week… I know for a fact I would have done my best to help my dear client! I would have done all I could to relieve his leg discomfort. So, that he could get back to living pain-free. But, if I had tried to help Fred that day, it would have been very likely that I would have moved the blood clot and my client could have died right on my massage table!

Can you imagine?! I’d like to think that there are forces in this world that help us on our journey through life. Had this gone differently, had I not gotten sick, I would have most definitely been a changed person and Fred would no longer be with us. I have never, in my life, been so thankful to be struck down with the flu!

I know in my heart that this was divine intervention at its best.

So, the next time you are stuck waiting for a train, your car breaks down, you get sick and miss an event or even if you miss your flight. Remember to relax, it may be divine timing helping you steer clear of some unfortunate event you just do not see yet. I have learned a lot from this experience and I hope my story has helped you too.

Do you have a story of divine intervention that gives you goosebumps? I’d love to hear it!

*The names and identifying information in this story have been changed to protect client privacy.

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

Thank you, for working for free. (Renamed, rephrased and revised 7 yr old post)

January 16, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

A friend of mine and I were having a conversation on the phone while she was at the airport. She said, “I have to let you go. I am just about to go through security screening.”

Before we hung up, I said. “Be sure to thank the TSA Agent for working for free! Love you, bye!” We hung up.

She called me right back after she got through. She told me she had indeed talked to the Airport Security Guard.

She said. “My friend says to thank you for working for free.”

The Agent said. “Thank you. Thank you, for that recognition.”

Headed toward her gate she then decided to give me a call right back to ask me “What that was all about?”

She did not know, that during the government shutdown, almost a million people are not getting paid. Even the people who have the duties of keeping the United State safe like; TSA, Air Traffic Controllers, and the Coast Guard. (And so many more!)

This surprised me because she is very well-traveled, but this was the first she was hearing of this! If she (who travels weekly for work) did not know this was happening, I am sure there are lots of folks who do not know the sad effects of the government shutdown. I get so concerned over this. Which may be why I feel so strongly about sharing my thoughts and views of the situation. As I did, I noticed how passionate I got.

The previous conversation we just had was upbeat and quite ‘normal’ for us. We talked about our plans for the weekend and how well our New Year resolutions were going. We chatted away about how excited we were for our trip to Florida that is coming up quickly. Yet, when she brought up this topic, I could hear my voice get stronger and my words were intensely passionate; as I started throwing out ‘F bombs’ to clearly articulate my dissatisfaction on the matter.

I finally realized that I was not acting in the same way I had been just minutes earlier. It was like a light switch had been dimmed and I was sucking all the joy out of the air. I know life is not always joyous, but I am glad I recognized this effect on the energy I was sharing, and I calmed down. Yet, my compassion for those who are suffering was clear.

As a massage therapist and energy worker, advocate and so much more. I understand that words and actions have more power than we care to take responsibility for. I have spent a great deal of time working on myself; to be the change I wish to see in the world, by doing my best to be the light. I do this by staying positive, looking for the bright side of situations, and doing my best to be kind and compassionate. This is the me I do my best to be every day.

Still, I find myself acting in the exact opposite way when I get riled up about things I care deeply about. I do my best not to belittle or insult others in a debate about the state of our Union or the environment. Yet, I will not sit back, be silent and just go with the flow. I don’t like where the flow is going in our Country, our communities or even how our friends and families have become so divided over these situations.

I have spent years reading and learning about our environment, soil health, water health, food health, and the pollution levels around our Country. I feel it has helped shape who I am. After all, the things you are passionate about are not always just hobbies. Your passions just may be your calling; the reason your soul is put on this planet in the meat suit you wear. Your passions are intertwined with emotions that form what you feel connected to. It is easy to see why we may get riled up or “excessively expressive” when discussing them.

I wasn’t always interested in Politics, but I have learned that I must get interested and involved to be able to affect the protection of our environment and our communities. It was never a dream of mine to put myself ‘out there’ as a politician. I want to be an author who writes… at home, holed up like my inner Hermit prefers. Yet the interests I have been drawn to are the passions I cannot ignore. They have led me to a Political path as if by magic.

However, I find political action uncomfortable some days when I realize how it tends to pull out just how much duality I truly embody. As nice as I can be, I can be exactly the opposite. As sincerely complimentary, kind, happy and compassionate as I can be… I can also be as guarded, skeptical, angry and stubborn in standing firm to protect my integrity. This is our reality and I refuse to stick my head in the sand pretending life is perfect and discord does not exist.

I think to myself. “If ordinary folks like you and me don’t work to change it for the better… who will?”

Then there are days when I also think. “Who am I, to think I can change anything, anyway?!”

I believe we were created to have these opposing characteristics for this exact reason. To protect what we love. To defend our truth and be able to protect ourselves from others, who may not be acting with integrity for the greater good. I can be as different as the sun and moon or night and day and sometimes that is confusing to myself and others.

I know, you know, what I am talking about. Light and dark, Yin and Yang all reside in us for a purpose. There are many ways we can go about this, but I try to do it in a kind way. Yet, as nature created me to be, I am whole because I have both light and dark inside. It’s up to us to determine how much of each we use in our lives and how we use it.

Remember (dark/night/moon) doesn’t mean bad it means balance. It is a way to see and do things in a different light. It’s no different than when you go through a ‘bad’ experience and come out of it changed. We need this duality to grow. After the dark winter comes the growth of spring. I have learned not to fight my dark side but embrace the opportunity it gives me to grow. I feel I am growing now after this one conversation with my friend.

I told her about how the government shut down is affecting many lives. It disturbs me how many people have no idea that there are wonderful humans at airports and other public safety personnel, working for free to keep Americans safe. Regular folks like you and I, are making sacrifices, enduring emotional and devastating financial effects, going without lifesaving medications for a reason that they have no control over. All for a wall, that won’t stop boats, ladders, tunnels or airplanes.

Even if we don’t see it, the reality is, lots of good people are hurting and I have a very strong opinion about that. I had to make sure my friend was aware of this reality. As this friend likes to stay away from conversations of politics and I don’t blame her. I know lots of my friends and family who feel the same. I am just thankful she let me share my strong feelings with her, even when it is not an uplifting conversation. I feel better thinking I am spreading awareness in hopes of facilitating change for the better.

To be honest, some days I think of walking away, from Politics too, for my own peace of mind. Yet, although I prefer peace, for some reason I have been created to square up and be willing to face conflict head-on. Maybe I was a warrior in another life? I don’t know why I am this way. I just am. No different than a mama bear really.

What I do know is that the Universe/God/Creator gave us these gifts of duality and we should not be afraid of them.

I say embrace your duality with open arms. We should not be afraid of the darkness if we are doing what we can, to be the light.

With love,

Emy Minzel ~