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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
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How to Spot and Shift the Beliefs That Are Secretly Holding You Back

General Health & Wellbeing, Therapies Posted on Thu, April 24, 2025 10:57AM

by Anne-Marie Allen

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—saying the affirmations, setting your intentions, working hard—and yet, somehow, things still don’t quite change?

More often than not, it’s not because you’re not trying hard enough. It’s because there are quiet, invisible forces shaping your choices: your beliefs.

Some of these beliefs are empowering. But others—often formed in childhood or through past experiences—can quietly keep you stuck, playing small, or doubting yourself… without you even realizing it.

So how do you spot them? And more importantly, how do you shift them?

Here’s a quick guide to get started:

1. Listen to Your Inner Dialogue

Your internal dialogue is like a window into your belief system. Pay attention to how you speak to yourself, especially in moments of stress or when you’re reaching for something new.

Do you hear things like:

• “I’m not good enough.”

• “It always goes wrong.”

• “People like me can’t have that kind of life.”

These are red flags—clues pointing to beliefs that might be limiting your potential.

2. Trace It Back

Once you’ve noticed a recurring negative thought, ask yourself: Where did this come from? Was it something you heard growing up? A belief that served you once but no longer does?

Many of us are running on outdated programming. Just identifying where it came from can loosen its grip.

3. Challenge and Reframe

Next, try reframing. Ask yourself: Is this belief really true? Is it true 100% of the time?

Instead of “I never get things right,” try:

“I am learning as I go, and that’s okay.”

Or shift “I’m not good enough” to:

“I am worthy, just as I am—and growing every day.”

It may feel unnatural at first, but your brain starts to follow the new pathway with repetition.

4. Tune Into Your Energy

Our beliefs don’t just sit in the mind—they show up in the body, too. Tightness in the chest, a sinking feeling in the stomach, or drained energy can all signal misalignment. Energy work, meditation, and breathwork can help move stuck emotion and clear the space for new beliefs to take root.

5. Go Deeper With Support

Sometimes we need a little help to truly shift old patterns. That’s why I created Limitless—a free guide to help you identify and release limiting beliefs, step into your power, and begin manifesting the life that truly aligns with your soul.

It’s not about becoming someone else—it’s about remembering who you really are beneath the noise.

Ready to feel free, focused, and fully aligned?

Affirmation:

You are not broken. You are powerful beyond measure. You just need to remember who you are—and let go of everything that tells you otherwise.



ALIGN: The Key to Well-Being & Energetic Balance

Therapies Posted on Thu, March 27, 2025 10:30AM

Have you ever felt out of sync—like something isn’t quite right, even if you can’t put your finger on it? Maybe you’re feeling drained, stuck in repeating patterns, or struggling to create the life you want. The truth is, before you can invite in new opportunities, joy, or healing, you first need to align your energy, mind, and body.

Here at the Soul Sanctuary, I believe that true well-being starts with energetic alignment. That’s why I use the ALIGN framework to help you reconnect with your highest self, clear emotional and energetic blocks, and bring balance to your life. Whether you’re on a healing journey, looking for more clarity, or wanting to feel more in flow, ALIGN is the perfect starting point.

What is ALIGN?

The ALIGN framework is a step-by-step process designed to help you feel grounded, balanced, and open to positive change. It ensures that every part of your being—mind, body, and soul—is working in harmony.

Each step of ALIGN supports deep healing and transformation:

A – Awareness: Reconnecting with Your True Self

Healing starts with awareness. Many of us move through life on autopilot, disconnected from our emotions, intuition, or deeper purpose. Taking time to reconnect with yourself is the first step toward balance and well-being.

How to Cultivate Awareness:

• Pause and reflect: How do you truly feel—physically, emotionally, and energetically?

• Practice mindfulness: Even a few minutes of stillness can bring clarity.

• Observe patterns: Notice where in your life you feel stuck or out of alignment.

The more aware you become, the easier it is to make choices that support your well-being.

L – Letting Go: Releasing Emotional & Energetic Blocks

Many of the struggles we experience—stress, anxiety, physical tension—stem from unreleased energy and emotions. Old traumas, limiting beliefs, or unresolved stress can create blocks that affect both your body and mind.

Ways to Let Go & Heal:

• Book a Reiki session or energy healing to clear stagnant energy.

• Use breathwork or meditation to release emotional tension.

• Practice journaling or self-reflection to identify and shift limiting beliefs.

By letting go of what no longer serves you, you create space for new healing and opportunities.

I – Intuition: Trusting Your Inner Wisdom

Your intuition is your inner compass, guiding you toward what is best for you. When you’re disconnected from it, you may feel unsure, overwhelmed, or constantly second-guessing yourself. Strengthening your intuition can help you make aligned decisions for your health, relationships, and life path.

Ways to Strengthen Intuition:

• Spend time in nature or meditation to quiet the mind.

• Pay attention to gut feelings and subtle nudges.

• Keep a journal of intuitive insights or dreams.

Trusting your intuition allows you to make choices that support your healing and happiness.

G – Gratitude: Shifting into a Positive, High-Vibration State

Gratitude isn’t just about feeling thankful—it’s a powerful energetic shift. When you focus on what’s going right rather than what’s missing, you naturally attract more positive experiences and feel more balanced.

Simple Gratitude Practices:

• Start each day by listing three things you’re grateful for.

• Express gratitude for your body and the healing it allows.

• Take mindful moments throughout the day to appreciate simple joys.

When you cultivate gratitude, you invite more ease and flow into your life.

N – Nurture: Aligning Mind, Body & Soul

Healing and alignment are ongoing processes. To stay balanced, it’s essential to nurture yourself regularly—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Ways to Nurture Your Alignment:

• Prioritize self-care with regular massage, Reiki, or holistic treatments.

• Support your body with nourishing food, movement, and rest.

• Engage in activities that bring you joy, creativity, and peace.

By consistently nurturing yourself, you maintain alignment and feel more energized, present, and connected.

Ready to Feel More Aligned?

ALIGN is the foundation of well-being. When your energy is balanced, your body, mind, and spirit work together in harmony—helping you feel calmer, clearer, and more in flow with life.

At Acorn Natural Health Centre, I offer holistic treatments, energy healing, and Soul Alignment Therapy to help you on your journey to alignment.

If you’re feeling out of sync, low on energy, or ready to deepen your connection with yourself, let’s work together to restore balance.

✨ Book a session today and take your first step toward alignment! ✨



Manifestation 101: How to Start Creating the Life You Desire

General Health & Wellbeing, Workshops & Classes Posted on Thu, February 27, 2025 10:58AM

by Anne-Marie Allen

Have you ever felt like you were meant for something more, but struggled to make it happen? The key to creating the life you truly desire lies in alignment—aligning your energy, emotions, beliefs, and actions. In this first post of my manifestation series, I’m excited to introduce you to a powerful framework I call SHINE, which will help guide you through the manifestation process.

Introducing SHINE: Your Manifestation Formula

SHINE stands for:

• Set intention

• Harness energy

• Integrate emotion

• Nurture belief

• Engage in action

Each of these elements plays a crucial role in turning your dreams into reality. Let’s dive into how you can use SHINE to begin manifesting your desires.

S – Set Intention: Clarity is Key

The first step in manifestation is setting a clear intention. What exactly do you want to create in your life? The more specific you are, the better. Vague goals often lead to unclear outcomes, so take time to clarify your goals. Whether it’s attracting love, abundance, or a new career, you need to get crystal clear on what you want.

Try this: Take a few minutes to write down your top goals for the next six months. The act of writing solidifies your intention and gives you a concrete target to work toward.

H – Harness Energy: Align with Your Desires

Everything in the universe is energy, and the energy you put out directly influences what you attract. To manifest effectively, your energy needs to match the vibration of your desires. If you’re constantly focusing on lack or scarcity, that’s what you’ll attract. Instead, focus on gratitude and abundance to raise your vibration and align with what you want to manifest.

Try this: Spend a few minutes each morning visualizing your ideal life. Imagine yourself already living it and feel the emotions that come with it. This will help you tune your energy to match your desires.

I – Integrate Emotion: Feel It Like It’s Already Yours

Emotion is the fuel that propels manifestation. Simply thinking about your desires isn’t enough—you need to feel them. The universe responds to the energy behind your emotions, so make sure to align your feelings with what you want to create.

Try this: Every time you think about your goals, pause and check in with your emotions. Are you feeling positive, hopeful, and excited? If not, shift your focus to what feels good and amplify those emotions. The more emotionally invested you are, the faster your manifestations will come.

N – Nurture Belief: Trust the Process

Belief is the foundation of successful manifestation. If you don’t truly believe that you can have what you desire, you’ll sabotage your efforts. That’s why it’s so important to nurture a strong belief in your ability to create the life you want. Remove any limiting beliefs or doubts that arise, and replace them with empowering thoughts.

If you’re struggling with limiting beliefs, I’ve created a free ebooklet called Limitless to help you let go of those blocks. You can download it on my website here: Limitless Ebooklet.

Try this: Identify one limiting belief you hold about yourself (e.g., “I’m not good enough” or “Manifestation doesn’t work for me”). Challenge that belief and replace it with a positive affirmation like “I am worthy of everything I desire.”

E – Engage in Action: Take Inspired Steps

Manifestation isn’t passive—it requires action. The universe will open doors for you, but you need to walk through them. Inspired action is key: it’s not just about doing anything, but doing what feels aligned with your goals.

Try this: Write down one action step you can take today toward your goal. Even a small step will get the ball rolling and keep you in the flow of manifestation.

Bringing It All Together

When you combine all five elements of SHINE, you create the perfect environment for manifestation. By setting clear intentions, aligning your energy and emotions, nurturing your belief, and taking inspired action, you’re opening the door to endless possibilities.

I invite you to try SHINE for yourself. Start today by setting an intention and aligning your energy, then let me know how it goes! Over the next few months, I’ll dive deeper into each element and share tips, exercises, and real-life stories to help you manifest your dreams with ease.

Remember, you are the creator of your own reality. When you SHINE, the world can’t help but notice—and the universe will respond.

Stay tuned for next month’s blog, where we’ll explore how to overcome limiting beliefs and align with your true potential.

Until then, keep shining brightly!

Anne-Marie



Hairy Bittercress

General Health & Wellbeing Posted on Fri, February 07, 2025 01:07PM

Hairy bittercress, known scientifically as Cardamine hirsuta, is a fascinating herb that often goes unnoticed in gardens and wild areas. With its tender leaves and peppery flavour, this plant has a rich history of culinary and medicinal use, making it an excellent choice for our herb of the month.


Hairy bittercress typically grows in moist, shady areas, including gardens, woodlands, and roadside banks. It can be found throughout Europe and North America. The plant has small white flowers that bloom in clusters and can reach up to 30 cm (about 12 inches) in height. Its leaves are deeply lobed and can appear somewhat hairy, giving the plant its name. The leaves are oval-shaped and grow in a rosette pattern close to the ground.

Folklore and Traditional Uses

Historically, hairy bittercress has been utilized in folk medicine across various cultures. It was often used as a remedy for respiratory issues and digestive complaints. In some regions, it was believed to possess protective qualities against illnesses, as well as being a symbol of resilience due to its ability to thrive in diverse environments.

Nutritional Profile

Hairy bittercress is not only edible but also packed with nutrients. It is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like calcium and potassium. The leaves can provide a good source of antioxidants, which are essential for combating oxidative stress in the body.

Culinary Uses and Recipes

The leaves of hairy bittercress can be used fresh in salads, providing a delightful peppery kick. Here are a couple of simple recipes to try:

  • Hairy Bittercress Salad: Toss fresh hairy bittercress leaves with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette for a refreshing salad. Add nuts or seeds for an extra crunch.
  • Pesto with Hairy Bittercress: Blend hairy bittercress leaves with garlic, nuts (like walnuts or pine nuts), Parmesan cheese, and olive oil for a unique twist on traditional pesto. Use it as a pasta sauce or a spread for sandwiches.

Hairy bittercress is a versatile herb that can enhance both your culinary dishes and your health. With its rich history, nutritional benefits, and unique flavour, it’s worth exploring in your kitchen or garden. Whether you enjoy it in salads or as a pesto, this herb can add a peppery touch to your meals. If you come across this delightful plant, consider incorporating it into your diet for a nutritious boost! 

Precautions
Because hairy bittercress contains a high amount of oxalates, people who are prone to kidney stones should eat it in moderation.



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