ACHS Student Darlene Rose Featured in Article on Green Cleaning with Essential Oils

American College student Darlene Rose was recently featured in fantastic article about green cleaning with essential oils. Congratulations Darlene!!

The article "Natural oils key in woman's cleaning service" published January 21, 2012 in the Saturday Gazette-Mail features Darlene's business, Smelling Like a Rose cleaning service, born from her discovery of "essential oils and more natural ways to clean."

For example, Rose shares some of her best tips for green cleaning with essential oils, including:

• Use tea tree essential oil to help get rid of mold
• Use lemon or peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball to clean chrome
• Add a few drops of cedar oil into water for a natural flea repellent

For more green cleaning tips, including how to use baking soda, white vinegar, and essential oils like ginger and lavender, read the full-text article here http://sundaygazettemail.com/Life/201201200192

Leave a comment for Darlene here! And ... be sure you include your best green cleaning tips!

>> To learn more about aromatherapy essential oils, check out all ACHS aromatherapy classes online here or call (800) 487-8839 for more information.


References:
Busse, S. (2012, January 21). Natural oils key in woman's cleaning service. wvgazette.com. Retrieved from http://sundaygazettemail.com/Life/201201200192
Chris Dorst. (2012). Natural oils key in woman's cleaning service. [Image]. Retrieved from http://sundaygazettemail.com/Life/201201200192

Kitchen Herbalist: How to Wildcraft and Cook with Nettles Free Lecture at ACHS

Did you know that nettle is not only one of the most useful medicinal herbs, but it can be eaten as a vegetable, like spinach! In fact, this “noxious weed” helps support the entire body.

Learn how in a one-hour lunchtime lecture with American College Herbal Medicine Instructor and Oriental Medicine Expert Scott Stuart, including: health benefits of nettle, wildcrafting techniques, cooking and storage tips, and alternative uses.

February 22, 2012 from 12-1 p.m. American College of Healthcare Sciences, 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland, OR 97239. Find directions to the College online here: http://www.achs.edu/about/campus

Free to attend but space is limited. RSVP early on ACHS Facebook here, call (503) 244-0726, or email brookguyot@achs.edu.

We look forward to seeing you!

For a sneak peak, here's a delicious recipe for Nettle Pesto to try:

• 6-cups course chopped nettle leaves (harvest the top few leaves)
• 6 mint leaves 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1⁄3-cup pine nuts (or try walnuts)
• 1⁄2- cup Parmesan
• 1⁄2- cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Pick nettle leaves from the stems wearing rubber gloves. Then rinse the nettles in a colander or salad spinner to remove any dirt and insects.

Bring a pan of water to boil and blanch nettles in boiling water for one minute – this will remove the sting. Drain well and squeeze out any excess moisture. You can also steam the nettles. Save the leftover liquid for soup stock or just drink as a tea.

Place all dry ingredients in a food processor and pulse until chopped up. Slowly add the oil while blending until the desired consistency is reached.

Taste and season as desired. It can be used right away over pasta, gnocchi, or pour just a little olive oil over the top in a sterilized jar and store in the fridge for up to a month.

Image © 2012 Scott Stuart. Reproduced with permission.

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) Launches New Website

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has officially launched its brand-new, redesigned website.

“This exciting project has been in the works for some time, and we are proud of all of the hard work and effort that has gone into this incredible new website,” says ACHS President Dorene Petersen.

ACHS’s new website features several student-focused enhancements, specifically streamlined navigation of online Student Services tools including secure classroom login, the ACHS Media Channel streaming College-wide social media, and quick access to the ACHS FAQ Knowledgebase, fully searchable and accessible 24/7.

The ACHS website remains at www.achs.edu and incorporates a fresh appearance and simplified navigation, which will appeal to website visitors from the holistic health and wellness community at-large. Program and course information is quickly available via the website homepage, as are College announcements and industry specific news and event listings. The new site also includes more accessible information about military education benefit programs for ACHS’s growing military student population.

“From active duty military preparing herbal remedies over a camp stove in Afghanistan to military spouses providing wellness coaching to base communities, ACHS’s holistic health training is serving U.S. servicemembers, spouses, and veterans worldwide. With our new website, these military students can now find all the information they need about programs and our many available funding options in one place,” adds President Petersen.

Visit ACHS’s new website at www.achs.edu and check back frequently for new content.

About ACHS
American College of Healthcare Sciences was one of the first accredited colleges offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine fully online. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (503) 244-0726, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.

Welcome to the January 2012 Semester at ACHS from President Dorene Petersen

Welcome to the January 2012 Semester!

If you are returning to ACHS to continue your program, getting you one step further to your holistic health career goals, welcome back! If you are new to ACHS, congratulations again on being accepted into ACHS.

Our reputation extends over 35 years and is founded on providing excellence in accredited, holistic health distance education.

Our motto is “Learn well. Live well.” One of my hopes for you during your time here at ACHS is not only to become a successful and outstanding graduate, and to passionately carry the holistic banner out into the global community, but also to find tools and inspiration to improve your own health and well-being.

Freedom to learn when and where you want, and to really engage in what you learn are some of the highlights ahead of you.

>>Click here to read my complete Spring President's Message outlining more highlights and important announcements from the ACHS Program Catalog.

>>Watch my January 2012 Semester welcome video on ACHStv here. Save time and click "Subscribe" for email notices of new videos posted during the term!

You are about to embark or continue on the lifelong journey you have chosen, which shows outstanding commitment to the holistic health profession, to your community, and to your ongoing education.

Again, congratulations and welcome.

Warm Regards,

Dorene Petersen, ACHS President

Is Sitting the New Smoking? Sedentary Lifestyle May Take a Greater Toll on the Body Than You Think

Have you seen this headline, "Sitting May Be The New Smoking"? It's catchy. Makes you think ... Are they talking to me? Turns out they're talking to everyone who regularly sits for long periods of uninterrupted time (about 10 hours).

Growing research suggests the effects of sitting for long periods can be significant, including increased risk of "obesity, diabetes, cancer and early death," even for those who regularly exercise, as reported by the AARP in "Sitting: Hazardous to Your Health."

To help reduce risk, the American Institute of Cancer Research suggests getting at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, and taking several mini-breaks from sitting as part of your routine.

Just in case you need some further motivation ...

The Gawker article "Now Just Sitting Still Will Give You Cancer" reports that evidence presented at the recent American Institute for Cancer Research conference in D.C. shows "about 90,000 cases of breast and colon cancer are caused each year by people who don't get enough physical activity. [...] In a study of 123,000 people, scientists found that people sitting still tend to die sooner and that those who engage in regular physical activity."

If you're still wondering about the importance of physical exercise, you may want to take the American Institute of Cancer Research Are You Active Enough quiz online here.

Then, take a break. Get some exercise. Go outside and walk. Ride your bike. Take a brisk jog. Stand up and stretch. Dance around the office (or in the lunchroom - it's less disruptive).

There are many simple ways to add more movement into your everyday life. What works best for you? We'd love it if you'd share your suggestions for our community of readers in a comment here. Thanks!

American College Hires Graduate and Holistic Health Expert Danielle Silverman As Adjunct Faculty

Meet Danielle Silverman (B.S., MBA, NMT, CCMT, NCBTMB, Cert. Master Herbalist), an American College (ACHS), Master Herbalist Graduate, and the newest member of our adjunct faculty! Danielle will teach the ACHS Nat 306: Holistic Health Consulting and Business Skills online course starting January 16, 2012.

Danielle spent most of her life in the business world, though she always had an interest in living naturally. She earned an MBA in Finance from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Bachelor's in Finance from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.

In 2002, a life-changing experience propelled her to massage school. Danielle received certifications in Neuromuscular Therapy, Clinical Sports Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Swedish Massage from the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts (ASHA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Because of her love of animals, she became certified in Canine Massage Therapy from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado, and also trained in CranioSacral Therapy for both people and small animals.

Danielle was previously Education Director and Business Instructor at the Montana School of Massage in Missoula, Montana, and taught Business at ASHA in Atlanta, Georgia. She then received her Master Herbalist Certification from American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), and is a member of the American Herbalist Guild.

>> To read Danielle's full-length bio, click here: http://www.achs.edu/about/faculty.aspx?id=15

Welcome, Danielle! We're very excited to welcome you into the ACHS family!

Natural Products Foundation Scholarship Fund - Application Deadline January 31, 2012

Calling all American College students ...

The Natural Products Foundation (NPF) Scholarship Fund provides a great opportunity for individuals committed to a career in the natural health and products industry.

Perhaps you're looking for further education to support a new career? Or, maybe you need some support to help finish school and reach your goal of a career in health and wellness? You may want to consider applying for the NPF scholarship. But hurry - the scholarship application deadline is January 31, 2012.

As stated on the NPF website:

The purpose of the NPF Scholarship Fund is to provide financial assistance for individuals who are committed to a career in the natural products industry. Specifically, the fund is targeted for students who have demonstrated leadership potential and are enrolled in academic programs to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge of the industry.

Scholarship Funds will be awarded to applicants on the basis of the following criteria:

• Career goal: Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a career path that will potentially have a direct impact on the quality and safety of products, or on institutional support and consumer demand.
• Leadership: Applicants must demonstrate fundamental leadership skills.
• Academic achievement: Applicants must show the ability to accomplish high academic achievement, demonstrated by previous test scores, grades in other courses, or professional achievement.
• Area of study: Applicants must use the scholarship funds to attend a recognized educational program designed to further knowledge of natural products or the natural product industry.
• Academic program: The program may be full or part-time, degree or non-degree, but must be directly related to enhancing the applicant’s ability to contribute to the industry.
• Financial need: Applicants must be able to demonstrate personal need for financial aid.
• Geographic: Applicants must be residents of the United States.

>> For further information and to print the scholarship application, click here to link to the NPF website

Good luck everyone!