Author: Ramona Levacy Billingslea

I am a 50-something Texan with a feisty cat and a supportive husband of 25+ years. With a Master's degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing, I have taught creative writing at Texas Tech, won awards for my writing and been blessed to be mentored by Horn Professor and poet Dr. Walt McDonald. I earn a living by helping my husband's family run a health food store, but my avocation is writing. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my triumphs and tragedies as I continue to work on figuring out what life is all about and on growing my ability to share my writing. May your own journey be a blessed one.

Take the First Step to a Toned You: Be Summer Ready with These Special Exercises

Spring has opened up in all its beauty in Houston this year, offering us wondrous days of just-right temperatures, low humidity and light blue skies that make us grasp our opportunities to truly enjoy outdoor activities like walks in the park and staring at the stars with an enthusiasm undampened by the usual downpour of…

Move Over Muscles: Surprising Amino Acid Benefits

Amino acids. Strands of these molecules form the building blocks of protein. When you digest protein, your body breaks it down into individual amino acids and then reconstitutes them as needed. And amino acids are needed for a variety of functions in the body, in part because your body needs protein to build cells as…

Is Better Health All In Your Gut? : Food Sensitivities, Probiotics, and the Gluten Factor

Is there gold in bugs? Scientists and natural health experts say yes. The burgeoning field of the microbiome—the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea that live in our guts (our stomachs and intestinal tracts)—is becoming the health issue to watch. The gut microbiome, evidence says, is linked to numerous aspects of health—from inflammation and autoimmune diseases…

Don’t Let the Skeeters Get You: DIY Insect Repellent

If you live in East Texas, you know that mosquitoes are a threat almost all the year round. With viruses like Zika and West Nile, protecting yourself against these blood-thirsty critters is more important than ever. But, chemical-based insect repellents come with their own set of potentially negative side effects. Learn more about chemical-based repellents…

Our Expo West Adventure: Discover the Latest Health Industry Updates with Betsy’s

Some 80,000 people descended on Anaheim last week, including members of our Betsy’s Team, to discover the latest and greatest in the natural health industry at this year’s ExpoWest event. In a sea of manufacturing booths representing foods, personal care, natural living, and supplements, we noted trends that underscore the depth and diversity of our…

5 Keys To Your Healthy Spring Cleanse

The birds are singing. The flowers are blooming. And your closet is overflowing with clutter that you just can’t stand anymore. Unfortunately, more than your closets may be overflowing with clutter. Toxins from the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the stress we feel make constant demands on our bodies’ detoxifying organs. The…

Reduce Stress with Your Breath

Stress. In our fast-paced, ever-changing world, it’s hard not to make it through the day without feeling the effects of this ubiquitous emotion. We tighten our shoulders, cringe up our eyes and shorten our breath without even realizing it, heightening the damage to our bodies that chronic stress ultimately brings. But, we don’t have to…

Staying Young, With A Mouth To Match

A Mediterranean Diet has many health benefits, including potentially lengthening the life span of cells. Because a Mediterranean diet is also an adequate source of vitamin E¹, it may also be a benefit for your dental health. Find out more below. Mediterranean Diet of Youth? Each time a cell replicates, the protective caps at each…

Ashwagandha: Wisdom from India

What is ashwagandha? Ashwagandha, Sanskrit for “the smell of a horse”—meaning to impart the vigor and strength of a horse—is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. The herb contains many compounds with medicinal benefits including support for the immune system, high antioxidant properties, and as an “adaptogen,” which helps the body adjust…

Your Heart Needs These Nutrients—Here’s Why

The heart is the body’s hardest working muscle, and it deserves the best treatment you can give it. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, effective stress management, sufficient, quality sleep and regular checkups to ensure your blood pressure and heartbeat are healthy all play a role in keeping your heart pumping as it should. Here are…

Get Essential This Valentine’s Day: Essential Oil Gift Ideas from Betsy’s

Essential oils make great, healthy gifts for special occasions like Valentine’s Day because they can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to help you make a unique gift for someone special in your life using essential oils. For aromatherapy via a diffuser: This may be the most straight forward use…

5 Need-To-Know Things About Your Bone Health

Bones are serious business. Besides helping us stay upright, these hard-working parts of us also play a key role in the production of red and white blood cells and platelets. They protect vital organs like our brains and lungs. They give shape to our face and ensure our nerve-communication highway, a.k.a. the spinal cord, stays safe….