Pink Flamingo Health and Wellness

Why 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

I am blessed in that I've always known I wanted to be a nurse. I became an RN in 1989 (WOW, that's a long time ago!). During the last 15 years I've worked in Home Health, Outpatient Surgery, as an Educator and Charge Nurse in Long Term Care, and in an Internal Medicine Clinic. My favorite part of every job is teaching--teaching patients, residents, their families, and staff members, about any and all aspects of health care.

I also enjoy writing, and have for many years. Since written information is a big part of education, I’m thankful that I enjoy doing both of these things. Especially since COVID (more about that later!) I have felt a strong pull to do more education/writing, especially to educate and empower people regarding their health. Every day I see how simple lifestyle changes could have a huge positive impact on the health of patients, staff, residents, and family members.

Every day I hear questions about health issues. With so many sources of information, how can anyone discern what is accurate and reliable? From day to day, what people "should" or "should not" do to prevent and treat illness changes. And medications--how to decide which one or ones to take to treat which symptoms? How should prescription medications be taken? How do I know when I can treat symptoms at home and when I need to see my healthcare provider or go to the ER? Should I have another test or procedure? What are my options? What do these test results mean?

Several years ago I participated in a webinar about the use of essential oils in long-term care. I was fascinated to learn that research-based evidence shows that essential oil use (aromatherapy) can improve sleep and decrease behaviors in residents with dementia. In 2018 I completed the Integrative Aromatherapy Certificate Program which included extensive education, case studies (which involved residents and staff members), and a comprehensive test.

It was one of the most rewarding experiences in my nursing career to see the positive results when I used aromatherapy as an intervention in long term care (with permission of course!) to calm residents, ease pain, and decrease negative behaviors. Family members were thrilled to see their loved ones calmer during their visits. A staff member requested an essential oil inhaler to use during a dentist visit; later she reported, "That was the easiest dentist appointment I ever had"! I realized what a powerful tool essential oil use could be in promoting health and treating complaints and wanted to share this knowledge with residents, patients, nurses, my family and friends… everyone!

 For several years I have wanted to start my own business, incorporating my passions for education, writing, and essential oils. I have been planning and praying but it seemed no matter how hard I tried, I just could not get to the point of meaningful progress on meeting this goal. Then, suddenly God moved in a way I certainly did not expect, but was clearly orchestrated by Him! I am so thankful that I was recently able to officially open Pink Flamingo Health and Wellness. I am so very blessed and I pray that I will do His will and shine His light, and use the talents that He has given me, to help others.

Through Pink Flamingo Health and Wellness my goals are to:

*Educate. To educate readers to look at health information—research results, study findings, articles, tables and graphs--and evaluate and analyze the information provided (don't worry, knowledge of statistics is NOT required!) and how it applies to “real life”. To provide research-based evidence for steps to take to prevent and treat illnesses; these steps may include simple actions (getting outside 15 minutes a day, assuring the optimum amount of humidity in the air in your home), essential oils, tracking symptoms, diet, and medication. There is not just one answer to attaining optimum health and wellness, there are many factors that work together to prevent and/or treat illness.

*Encourage. There is no one "perfect" plan for diet, exercise, lifestyle, etc. I encourage people to look at the information available and formulate a plan and make the choices that are right for them and their unique family. I encourage readers to take small steps--a complete lifestyle makeover is not necessary (at least not all at once), and small steps can make a huge positive impact on health and wellness.

*Empower. I want readers to be empowered to take charge of their health; to have a good relationship with their healthcare provider; to make informed healthcare decisions and choices based on knowledge of the issues, not just what headlines and soundbites say.  

*Enjoy! With education, encouragement, and empowerment, you can enjoy life to its' fullest, with the highest level of wellness and health that you can achieve.