I am so thrilled to be your retreat host at Earth Heal Shine, a unique wellness retreat nestled in the beautiful Hudson Valley just minutes from the Mohonk Mountains. Having grown up on the shores of Seneca Lake in the small, quaint, college town of Geneva, New York, I’ve always had an appreciation for Mother Nature. Much of my childhood was spent swimming in beautiful lakes, climbing on rocks and trees and enjoying nature walks. Did you ever wonder why we feel so invigorated after immersing our feet in the sand or walking along fresh cut grass with our bare feet? That blissful feeling after connecting with nature isn’t just a fluke but rather a scientifically proven technique called “earthing” or “grounding”. Earthing occurs when we physically make contact with the earth’s surface via our bare feet, hands, or body. Our bodies happen to be excellent electrical conductors and we are constantly searching for negative electrons to lower inflammation, remove free radicals, and create homeostasis. When we are grounded, electrons sour into our body naturally found in the earth doing just what nature intended. Having also been a nutrition enthusiast for the better part of 30 years, I became a certified Nutrition Response Testing Practitioner in 2014 under the guidance of Dr. Freddie Ulan, DC, CCN. Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) is a non-invasive screening used to assist practitioners in discovering the underlying causes of ill health. NRT is only a screening and should not replace other health modalities. Expect to lie on a massage table, fully clothed while l scan the body for weaknesses using Applied Kinesiology. Those who experience NRT not only walk away with a better understanding of their body and how to manage stress in various specified organ systems but are also given an easy to follow clinical wellness plan.