Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much for the support.

I now feel a little more confident in my swimming, biking, running, and overall endurance. While I’m still a beginner triathlete and am aware that I have a lot of learning left to do, I feel more…I don’t even know what the word is…secure?

Oh hey, thanks for waiting for me. I just ran the slowest half marathon of my life.

But now I really need to get off cloud nine and get back to work. The problem is, I’ve been sick since last Monday.

Backing up – my race was last Sunday. As in last, last Sunday. All day on Monday I felt GREAT. A little soreness in my legs, but I could have easily swam, biked, or run if I wanted to. Being the smart girl I am, I figured my body probably needed a break before I got back into a full week of training. So I rested and wrote the world’s longest race recap while drinking a beer that I had been thinking about since Sunday morning.

These are the kinds of surprises you get when you live with boys.

As it turns out, the soreness suddenly arrived in an unexpected place. My throat. I woke up on Tuesday morning with my throat on FIRE. It hurt for a few days, and then suddenly turned into this annoying cough/stuffiness. It’s been a week now and while I definitely feel like this cold is on the down swing, I’m still not 100%. Even more so, I’ve missed almost a FULL WEEK of workouts. I rested Monday through Thursday, did some core work and rode 20 minutes on my bike on Friday night (at which point I just felt miserable and had to stop), and then thankfully on Saturday I was able to do my long run + a super super short swim.

Bright and early, my team and I went to Coney Island to swim in the ocean. After one 5 minute loop, my face was frozen (the water was 50-something degrees) and I started feeling dizzy. I could feel the ice cold water going into my ears and when I stood up on the beach, I couldn’t walk in a straight line for a minute. I figured my equilibrium was off because I was feeling under the weather all week, but a couple other people said they felt it too…so we stopped. Thank goodness for Quassy because if this was my first open water swim of the season, the little confidence I have would have gone right out the window.

It looks like a hot summer day…but looks can certainly be deceiving.

On Sunday I was supposed to ride my bike for 4.5 hours and run for 40 minutes…but I ended up doing 70 minutes on the trainer and 20 minutes of running. That’s a BIG workout to cut so short. I’ve still only done about half the distance of each of the legs in Ironman Lake Placid…I need to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a marathon in 8 WEEKS! I’m trying to push the guilt out and remind myself that I need to “listen to my body”, as cliche as that saying is. Obviously I needed the rest and if anything, now’s the time to do it.

What’s that? There’s a bright side? Yes, there always is.

I’m overly well rested going into these last, HARD, eight weeks of training. As my coach said, “say goodbye to your friends, the volume is picking up starting now“. 5 hour bike ride on Saturday, and I am pumped! (For now…I’m sure around hour 3 I’ll be bored.) Leslie, remember when I was concerned about 2 hours on the trainer and you said “just wait”? Well here we are!

To prepare myself for the next 8 weeks, here’s my permanent “to-do everyday or as much as possible” list:

1. Remember to take multi-vitamins daily. My immune system has been hating on me since I started training. This is the third time I’ve been sick since January…once was food poisoning, but still! The phenomenon is explained a little bit here  and also here, and I honestly think it’s because of my nutrition. The jury is still out on the benefits of vitamin C (some studies say it helps, others say the data is inconclusive) but I think taking a balanced multi-vitamin will do me good regardless. Although, I would also like to blame the trains and subways in NYC of course. Yuck.

2. Eat cleaner. Less processed foods. Snack on more green veggies. Eat protein within 45 minutes of my workouts to help with muscle repair. Plan my meals for the week on Sunday. Go grocery shopping so I’m not scrounging for snacks. (Seriously Kara…really need to do this. Get your act together!)

3. Continue getting a lot of sleep. Yay – I actually do something right! On average, I get at least 9 hours of sleep every night. I can thank Brendan for this. He keeps us on a very strict sleep schedule, my friends! We are rarely awake past 10PM. Yes I’m bragging about this.

3. Track my water intake. I feel like I drink a good amount of water, but I could be overestimating. I’m semi-embarrassed to admit this, but I have a spreadsheet for tracking my H2O intake that I print out and keep at work…complete with check boxes and everything. This spreadsheet also tracks the number of squats and calf raises I do throughout the day – for a while (not recently), every time I went to the bathroom, I did 25 squats or calf raises. I tried to aim for 100 per day, all while at work. It takes less than a minute each time! I AM SO COOL AND RESOURCEFUL. I KNOW.

4. Eat more pasta carbs. According to this article, carb intake also seems to play an important role when it comes to your immune system. “Studies show that athletes eating low-carbohydrate diets who engage in prolonged strenuous exercise show sharp increases in circulating levels of stress hormones. As stress hormone levels rise, the number and activity level of key cells involved in immune function decline. However, consuming carbs during exercise reduces the rise in stress hormones and helps to offset the suppressive effect on immune function. Will this translate to fewer colds? No one knows for sure, but given that carbs during exercise have been shown to extend endurance, the potential immune system boost is a bonus.”

Someone check back in with me next week to make sure I’m doing all of these things, okay? I can’t always hold myself accountable. I need help.

What’s on your “permanent to-do list”? What do you struggle with? How do you stay healthy?

Yet when the time has come for him to do right by his mistress, he decides to listen to reason and chooses to wait things out. He decides to play dumb, unable to recognize urgency even if it sat on his lap. Is he a flawed hero saving her from their twisted and toxic affair, or is he a gutless turd who cannot make up his mind?

“The Sandcastle” is a thoughtful unsentimental philosophic look into the conflicts struggles pains that come with infidelity.

Unfortunately, our medical system is tainted with greed.  It started with the dissolution of the Eclectic Schools of Medicine, when a very rich family started putting their money into Medical Schools that promoted pharmaceuticals only.  This was because there was and still is very big money in drugs because they can be patented.  Greed has hit the Holistic side as well and you will find some remedies promoted for the sake of cash only.  It is too bad, but it is the way this world is right now and to get through it to make good health choices for yourself you must be discerning and find a professional to help you with the problem you have.   In fact, it is good practise to have more than one person on your health team.

The important nugget of information I want to get across is that drugs can be useful at times, with the exception of Type 1 Diabetes, most drugs should be used temporarily because they tend to suppress functions of the body and this suppresses the symptom or symptoms deeper int he body which will give you a new set of symptoms.  This is NOT a holistic approach at all.  This is SUPPRESSION.  In fact, did you know that the word ALLOPATHY, actually means to INCREASE SUFFERING.

Now having said all that, I will say I am not against drugs.  What I am against is the way our health system makes us believe it is “free health care”, when in fact, since we are one of the most taxed countries in the world…….where do you think some of that money goes to?  Especially when you consider that some drugs are marked up 3,000 per cent and it is covered by the government when this is given out in hospitals.

I believe we need health reform.  Not sure if that will happen.  But it can happen with you.  Take the time to find the cause of the problems you are having and if you pray about it see where God leads you.  Sometimes it might be pharmaceuticals, but many times “no”.  There is  a whole world out there in Natural Medicine that might have been discovered had the Eclectic Medical Schools had the money to stay open.  There is people like me that hold to their philosophy around healing you just have to seek us out.

Check out this article:http://www.planetherbs.com/history/what-is-eclecticism.html

It describes in detail Eclectic Medicine.

My heart goes out to a suffering world with huge medical expenses due to the greed of a few visionary people.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  We are the change.  We are holistic, because we were made as one unit…think about it.

Daily Prompt: Take Care.

When you’re unwell, do you allow others to take care of you, or do you prefer to soldier on alone? What does it take for you to ask for help?

Hmmm…good question. I’m blessed that my days of being sick, catching colds or sniffling my way through winter are far and very few between. One school of thought say that it is because I am a nurse and have developed the immune system of an ox (not that I am an expert on the functioning of an Ox’s immune system – really!). Another school of thought is that its a direct reflection of where I live – on the coast near the beach – Australias beaches are just devine! Yet another school of thought is that it is due to me eating more spinach than the average Popeye-the-Sailor-Man. But really I think it is a mixture of all of the above. But there I do – leading you all down the garden path that is my mind!

On the rare occassion that I am sick, I do let people look after me. But I am selective in that. For instance I will let my husband do anything for me (ok except fold the washing because lets face it – I am the ONLY one that can do it right – so if I am sick the washing is in the basket kids…HA!) I will let my girls do little jobs around the house, but thats the status quo anyway with the recent enforcement of chores – WINNING! And of course I will let them hug me, kiss me and pray for me until the cows come home. My mamma bear gets the obvious pleasure too of looking after me if she is nearby (now a 2hr drive away BOO!). But no one else. I have real trouble letting other people help or look after me or accepting offered help. But I will readily go help another sick person. Yes I know the whole accepting a gift speak but I feel a burden – probably comes from the many years I spent really sick.

Mostly though I soldier on. The house doesnt clean itself. My responsibilities dont go on holiday. My children dont go on auto pilot. So sometimes all there is to do is to take a spoonful of concrete and harden the * up. Yeah I said it. Sometimes you have to get out of your own way and end the pity party in boo-hoo-me street. Most of the time you feel better for having done the big girl pants dance anyway.

What would it take for me to ask for help? Well that would be if me being sick impacted on other people that relied on me for something – period – thats it. Now lets hope talking about all this illness doesnt summon the wrath of the bug fairies. A little affirmation to close maybe?

I AM WELL. I AM INFINITELY HEALTHY. I HAVE AN AMAZING IMMUNE SYSTEM. MURPHYS LAWS ARE NOT REAL.

Everybody Be Well and AWEOSME!!!

TAM

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Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to an allergen (dust, pollen, pet dander, foods) and produces too many histamines to counteract this process. Histamines are chemicals the body creates to neutralize the effects of the item offending the respiratory or visual system, a way the body’s innate wisdom attempts to correct the problem. 

Histamines cause you to produce mucous, sneeze, will make your eyes watery, and even give you rash sometimes, all ways the body tries to expel the offending allergen.

Most allergy medications attempt to treat the symptoms your body instigates to get rid of the allergen.  Antihistamines dry up the mucous membranes, and minimize the sneezing, itching and congestion. They can provide relief, but the underlying problem remains.

What if there was another way to help your body with Allergies? 

The Chiropractic approach focuses on restoring proper function to your body, so that you can better adapt to the ‘stressors’ in your environment, including those of seasonal allergies.

Spinal misalignments (termed subluxations) are caused by physical stress, emotional stress, and chemical stress. These misalignments in your spine cause muscle imbalances, joint irritation, inflammation, pain, and weakness. What is more important though, spinal subluxations affect your spinal cord and impair healthy neurological function.

Chiropractic adjustments correct misalignments in your spine, restoring proper joint movement, balancing your muscles, and improving your overall health!

Specific to allergies, the correction of spinal subluxations helps your body respond more appropriately to the pollens, danders and other airborn items you inhale because they help restore balance to your immune system.  There is a direct correlation between your spine and immune system.  It’s simple: A nervous system that is working more effectively permits the immune system to function more effectively – something all allergy sufferers need!

How can you get started finding relief?

An initial consultation and assessment will help us determine if Chiropractic can help, and whether our approach is right for you.  Following your evaluation we’ll create an action plan to get you functioning and feeling better. We’ll monitor your symptoms and changes over time, and document them! Many of our patients note dramatic reductions in their allergy symptoms and improvements in their overall wellbeing when they add Chiropractic care to their life.

Sounds like a breakfast idea from lifeisnoyoke.com.  Or, maybe you just fed your dog dog food.

What did you have this morning?

Preventing Foodborne Illnesses this Summer

With the beginning of summer, many people think they can just keep their picnic food safe from bacteria by storing it in the refrigerator. But, there is one bacteria- that is exempt from that rule…

Unlike most food bacteria, Listeria can grow in cool temperatures. Refrigerating food already contaminated with these bacteria could allow the germs to multiply and spread, according to the USDA.

The bacteria can cause serious illness known as listeriosis, which is especially dangerous for children, older people, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Foods in which Listeria has been found include deli meats, hot dogs, smoked seafood and store-prepared salads. The FDA advises those at greater risk for developing listeriosis to reheat these ready-to-eat foods until they are steaming hot. They should also avoid unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses.

Listeriosis has also been linked to contaminated cantaloupes. The FDA recommended washing all fruits and vegetables under running water immediately before eating, cutting or cooking them. Firm produce, in particular, should be scrubbed with a produce brush. Examples like this, is specifically important in the summer when fruits are in season.

Other ways to prevent Listeria infection include:

-          Set your refrigerator temperature to 40 degrees F or lower to slow the growth of Listeria. Use a refrigerator and freezer thermometer to make sure temperatures are appropriately cold.

-          Wrap or cover food before placing it in the refrigerator. Be sure no containers or covers are leaking juices on other foods.

-          Do not allow cooked or ready-to-eat (RTE) foods to sit in the refrigerator. Eat these foods right away so Listeria doesn’t have the opportunity to grow. If you have leftovers in your refrigerator, it’s best to throw them out after 3 days, just to be sure. Because remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

-          Clean up refrigerator spills immediately. The FDA notes leaks or spills from hot dog packages, raw meat or poultry are mostly of concern. The agency advised cleaning these spills with paper towels to avoid spreading germs to a cloth towel.

-          Routinely disinfect the refrigerator. Cleaning the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator with warm water and soap. Surface cleaners can also be used monthly.

-          Sanitize kitchen surfaces where food is prepared with soap and water and surface cleaner.

-          Wash cutting boards after every use. Nonporous acrylic, plastic, or glass boards can be sanitized in the dishwasher.

-          Wash dish cloths, towels and cloth grocery bags in the hot cycle of the washing machine.

-          Before and after handling food, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds! And if you can’t remember how long- just sing the “Happy Birthday” song. This is a trick we educate children on for food safety and hand washing!

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 

Listeria_Colorado State University

CDC statistics from 2011

http://digitalnewsrelease.com/?q=UCLA_MorningSickness

Women with a severe form of morning sickness who take antihistamines to help them sleep through their debilitating nausea are significantly more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight babies and premature births, a UCLA study has found.

The findings, the first to link antihistamine use to adverse pregnancy outcomes, are important because babies born before 37 weeks often are hospitalized longer than full term babies, can experience problems breathing and feeding, are more prone to infection and can suffer from developmental problems. Women with this condition considering taking such medications should know the risks, said study lead author Marlena Fejzo, an assistant professor of research in obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA.

The severe morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), is the same condition that Duchess Kate Middleton recently experienced. Its cause is unknown and the symptoms are intense – the continuous nausea and vomiting can be so violent that women in the study reported suffering from detached retinas, blown eardrums, cracked ribs and torn esophagi, Fejzo said. The symptoms can last for several months or the entire pregnancy.

“It was surprising to find the link between antihistamines and adverse outcomes as these are over-the-counter medications that are used commonly by women with HG during pregnancy,” said Fejzo, who had undiagnosed HG during her first pregnancy and nearly died during her second, losing the baby at 15 weeks gestation. “Women and their healthcare providers should be aware of the risk for adverse outcomes when deciding which medications to take to treat their HG symptoms.”

The study appears June 10, 2013 in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.

The six-year study compared pregnancy outcomes in 254 women with HG who were sick enough that they needed treatment for dehydration with intravenous fluids to 308 women who had normal or no morning sickness during pregnancy. Fejzo said they found women with HG had four times the risk of adverse outcomes. The link between HG and adverse outcomes has been shown in several previous studies.

Fejzo took it a step farther, comparing women with HG who suffered adverse outcomes to women with HG who had good outcomes. They then looked at more than 35 medications and treatments commonly used by women with HG to determine if any were linked to bad outcomes. She found that antihistamines, like those found in Unisom and Benadryl, were taken by more than 50 percent of HG patients who experienced adverse outcomes.

Fejzo also found that the medications were reportedly effective in less than 20 percent of the women that took them.

“Some doctors will suggest that their HG patients take Unisom to help them sleep through their nausea,” Fejzo said. “Our findings show not only that the use of antihistamines is linked with adverse outcomes, but also that they’re not that effective. Women with HG should be aware of that so they can make educated decisions on how to treat their HG symptoms.”

Adrienne Downs of Culver City experienced some nausea and vomiting during her first two pregnancies, but nothing out of the ordinary. Her third pregnancy was not so run-of-the-mill. She soon began suffering from constant nausea, vomiting around the clock every 20 minutes or so. She was hospitalized twice, five days each time, to get intravenous fluids to treat her severe dehydration and malnutrition.

“I literally could keep nothing down for months,” said Downs. “I couldn’t even get up out of bed and take care of my family. It was horrible. I was very scared for my baby. How would it get any nutrition if I couldn’t eat or drink?”

Downs lost 12 pounds in three weeks early in her pregnancy. Her mother had to move in to take care of Downs’ sons, 4 and 2, and try to find something her daughter could keep in her system. Now at 21 weeks gestation, Downs’ symptoms have subsided somewhat, although she still can only keep down fluids. She had gained back some of the weight she lost.

Downs said she did not take antihistamines to treat her HG symptoms, but she said the findings are important.

“As pregnant moms, we want to be the best ‘house’ for our babies that we can,” she said. “I had never heard of this condition before I got it, so I’m glad that UCLA researchers are studying HG and may one day find the cause.”
Fejzo said HG is diagnosed in 0.2 to 2 percent of pregnant women, although rates are higher in China. She said much more work needs to be done to study the short- and long-term outcomes of medication use during pregnancy.

She and her team currently are studying outcomes in HG pregnancies to determine if the violent nausea and vomiting have any effects on the children later in life.

“We desperately need support for research into HG to determine its cause so that medications can be designed that are safe and effective,” Fejzo said. “The greatest risk factor for HG other than a previous HG pregnancy is having a sister who had HG, which increases the risk by 17-fold. This suggests a genetic component is at work.”

Fejzo and her team are collecting saliva from women with HG and women with normal pregnancies and are studying the DNA extracted from the saliva to look for genes that may predispose women for HG. She hopes once a cause is discovered, drugs can be developed to either prevent or more effectively treat the condition.
The study was funded by the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation.

—————————————–

Further Readings of Interest

Prenatal exposure to hyperemesis gravidarum linked to increased risk of psychological and behavioral disorders in adulthood

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8351138

Abstract

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, is characterized by long-term maternal stress, undernutrition and dehydration. While maternal stress and malnutrition of pregnancy are linked to poor neonatal outcome and associated with poor adult health, long-term outcome of fetal exposure to HG has never been explored.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether long-term emotional and behavioral diagnoses may be associated with fetal exposure to HG. Emotional and behavioral diagnoses of adults born of a pregnancy complicated by HG were compared to diagnoses from non-exposed controls.

Offspring exposed to HG in utero were significantly more likely to have a psychological and behavioral disorder (OR = 3.6, P < 0.0001) with diagnoses primarily of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. In utero exposure to HG may lead to increased risks of psychological and behavioral disorders in the offspring.

———————————————–

Risk factors, treatments, and outcomes associated with prolonged hyperemesis gravidarum.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21916750

Laughter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://quozio.com/quote/df92bb4d#!t=1006

Return To Innocence (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Great information!! Cinnamon and Honey…!Drug companies won’t like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:
It is found that a mix of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain — and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder….who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it’s delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘Ingredient’ which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

For more healthy recipes, tips, motivation and fun, join us here: Charles Sims Weight Loss

I was thinking I will add the Cinnamon Bark essential oil instead of the ground cinnamon. I love the taste.

http://dailym.ai/11r3uZw Susan G. Komen CEO making $684,000 a year as breast cancer organization faces nationwide race … #MailOnline

Ingredients:

1 tsp Ground Ginger

1 tsp Ground Turmeric

1.5 cup boiling water

Directions: Add ginger and turmeric to your favorite mug. Slowly pour boiling water over the mixture. Let it sit to cool for a few minutes and enjoy.

_______________________________________________________________________

Health Benefits (to list a few…):

Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, destroys damaged cells, asthma remedy, heartburn remedy, menstrual pain remedy, reduce insulin resistance, prevents onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ginger: Anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system, protects against various forms of cancer, clears sinuses, improves absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body, reduces flatulence, alleviates menstrual cramps, alleviates nausea.

Symbolising the two “levels” of thinking.

In the developed world our high preoccupation with preventing infection and contamination is doing our immune systems no good and will harm those of future generations yet no one seems able to do anything about this foolishness.

☺

Just by tweaking the little things you do every day, you’ll fight back against germs.

Studying Wise Earth Ayurveda with Maya Tiwari

“No medicine, no matter how powerful, can replace your own. Life is simple. We’ve made it complex by adding massive amounts of material appendages to it, living in a state of over-stress, exaggerating our needs, believing that ‘more’ is better; but more options and more choices serve only to make an already packed life more weary and complex. The more consciousness you cultivate the fewer choices you need.”
–Maya Tiwari

May was a big month for me–lots of learning that I’ve been bursting to share with you. My brain was so overloaded that on day three of the first training program while we were learning tongue analysis, mine was bright red on the tip (the area connected to the brain!) My teacher laughed and said that my Vata brain couldn’t handle any more information. LOL–Vatas love to learn!

I began the month at a certification course on diagnosis from Wise Earth Ayurveda, taught by its founder, Maya Tiwari. Always at the core of Maya’s teaching is Inner Medicine–the healing power innate within every living being on Earth. We need only reconnect to that source within us and live in harmony with Mother Nature to experience a balanced, healthy life.

Ayurveda is such an ancient practice that the date of its origin is unknown. It was an oral tradition first and eventually recorded in the Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, around 7,000 years ago. Although Ayurveda originated in what is now India, the ancient Rishis, or enlightened sages, who brought forth this earliest-documented medical system, did so for all of mankind. The knowledge (or science) of life which is Ayurveda, is all about balance–knowing our individual constitution and staying in rhythm with nature.

I love Ayurveda because it is a gentle, holistic approach to not only healing but living a full, healthy and balanced life. It always seeks to find the root cause of an imbalance–be it emotional, physical or mental–rather than bandaid it with unnecessary and invasive measures.

Food, breath, and sound are the basic elements of Inner Medicine and the core of Wise Earth Ayurveda teachings. They are simple yet profound tools to balance and help heal the body, mind and spirit.

Food

“Food is the essence of healing. Nature’s foods embody rasa, the taste of life, and contain the universes’s energetic building blocks responsible for the body, mind, and spirit being fed, nourished, and celebrated.” –Maya Tiwari

We seem to be getting further and further away from our intimate connection with food. How did this happen so quickly? We eat out too much, often on the fly, and treat food as just a quick fix for hunger, without much attention to what’s in it or how it was prepared. Here are a few suggestions to reconnect with the Inner Medicine of food and implement its principles into your everyday life:

• Know your prakriti (individual Ayurvedic constitution) and eat foods that will keep you balanced.

• Giving thanks for our food, be it in the form of a prayer, a mantra, or just a loving thought of gratitude before we eat, will keep us connected to Mother Nature–the source of our nourishment. Be mindful of where your food came from.

• Eat healthy, local, seasonal, whole foods. Organic, if at all possible. Know where and how your food was grown.

• Cook at home, as much as possible, so you are in control of what you are eating.

• In Ayurveda, it’s believed that a happy cook produces happy food! While at Maya’s training, we ate three meals a day prepared by Ayurvedic chef Dhira-Michael Rocco, who lovingly chanted over the food as he cooked our meals. I had a very happy belly for five days! Don’t cook or eat when you’re stressed or angry. It’s better to skip a meal or wait until you have calmed down.

• The old adage “Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a king, and dinner like a pauper” is good advice. Eat your biggest meal around noon when the digestive fire is strongest (Pitta rules digestion and 10-2 is Pitta time.) Dinner should ideally be eaten at 6:00pm, no later than 7:00pm, to allow enough time for the body to digest the meal before bedtime.

• Slow down. How we eat has as much to do with our digestion as when and what we eat. We have become a nation of gobblers–standing or even walking while eating–rushing on to our next task. Every day I see New Yorkers hurrying down the street while shoveling in a piece of pizza or some other form of takeout. The body can’t possible digest food properly under these circumstances and you will realize that hours later as you reach for something to relieve your indigestion.

Breath

“Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment!” –Thich Nhat Hanh

From our first breath until our last, our body’s autonomic nervous system sees to it that we are breathing, even while we sleep. Unfortunately, we have become a species of shallow-breathers, stressed-out and not giving the breath the attention it deserves. It wasn’t until I took up yoga and learned the practice of pranayama that I realized I had been breathing improperly for many years. Breathing only into your upper torso creates shallow breathing and prevents the body from properly expelling toxins and bringing in fresh, healing oxygen.

Prana is the sanskrit word for life force. “Prana is the breath of the Universe…Prana alone controls the breath of the planetary heart. The sharp rise of heart-related diseases is due wholly to the dysfunction of bodily prana, or the Vata dosha. When breath suffers, sadness prevails.” –Maya Tiwari

Here are some ways to reconnect with your breath and experience self-healing:

• Practices such as yoga, pranayama, qigong and t’ai chi all have a strong focus on breath work. They are great modalities for strengthening the breath.

• A simple way to learn proper deep belly breathing (can be done sitting or lying down) is to place your right hand on your belly and your left hand on your chest. Take a deep inhalation in. If you are breathing properly, your belly will expand on the inhalation and contract on the exhalation. Breathe in and out through your nose. Try this right now!

• Unresolved grief lies stagnant in our lungs. I wrote about a pranayama practice I learned from Dr. Vasant Lad to expel the old, stale, breath of grief. You can read about it here.

• My favorite breathing exercise is one that a friend taught me when I had a medical emergency and my heart was racing at warp-speed. It’s perfect for high blood pressure, anxiety, heart palpitations and stress. You can do it anytime and anywhere.

–Place your right hand over your heart center and your left hand on top of the right. Bend your head down so you’re gazing at your heart, then close your eyes. Think of something that brings you peace and joy. It could be a loved one, a flower, a song, or a place. Anything will do. Now take deep, slow breaths, in and out as you focus on what you love. Continue until you feel calm and centered.

• In Roger Jahnke’s book “The Healer Within”, he talks about the “Remembering Breath”. Instead of (or better yet, in addition to) focused breathing exercises, take deep, cleansing breaths throughout your day whenever you remember. In the beginning you can leave little reminder notes around, or tie a string around your finger. The point here is to not hold your breath and to breathe deeply at every possible moment–when you wake and before bedtime, in front of your computer, while exercising, reading, writing, in the shower, etc.

• Alternate Nostril Breath and Bhastrika Breath are wonderful pranayama practices that will energize you, help boost your immune system and promote restful sleep. Here are two videos to help get you started:

Sound

Oh, glorious sound! I was immersed in this third Inner Medicine modality last month. First, at the Wise Earth Ayurveda School, where we chanted daily, and just last weekend at a sound healing workshop with my energy medicine teacher, Deborah King.

I first learned a bit about sound healing at one of Deborah’s workshops two years ago–just weeks after my partner, Ralph, had passed away. We were learning how to tone the chakras and I was honored to tone the heart chakra of a beloved fellow student who has been struggling with cancer. I leaned over her heart and was shocked at the sound that resonated from within me. It deeply affected me and now I almost always incorporate sound healing into my own energy work with others, as well as on myself.

Last weekend we learned more about sound healing modalities as well as participating in kirtan with devotional chantress Snatam Kaur and also the wonderful Sruti Ram, Ishwari and Tommy B.

Sound heals. It has a way of raising our vibration so that we almost immediately feel the positive effects, both physically and emotionally. I love kirtan and chanting–it has a transformative power to it. But if kirtan is not your thing, don’t worry. There are all kinds of ways to use sound as Inner Medicine in your daily life. Here are just a few:

• Sing! Sing in the shower, sing in your car, sing whenever you have the opportunity. Singing opens and clears our 5th chakra (throat)–our seat of expression, creativity…our voice. Don’t be shy! If anyone looks at you funny, just tell them you’re practicing Inner Medicine!

• Sigh! Sighing is really good for us. Just think how you feel when you let out a big “ahhh” or “ohhh”. Try it now. Can’t you feel the stress release from your body? I do this all the time now–alone or in public. Sometimes I get funny looks but most of the time, people ignore me or they smile.

• Listen to music that soothes rather than provokes or depresses you.

• Remember when you were in kindergarten and they had all those fun instruments? Well, guess what? You can still play with them! You can play them alone or join in a drumming circle or other group. Tibetan singing bowls are wonderful tools for healing. You don’t need to be a musical genius. I had just about zero music training in my Catholic school education. It doesn’t matter. I’m making up for lost time now and loving it.

My sound healing instruments

• And last but not least, get outside and listen to the sounds of nature. Or listen to an audio of nature sounds. Both are healing to the soul and reconnect us to our Source.

There are, of course, other important practices which help keep our mind, body, and spirit healthy, such as meditation, journaling, exercise and healthy relationships. Today I wanted to put my focus on food, breath, and sound because of the incredible potential for good health that they hold.

I also want to mention that while herbs may play a role in healing our bodies, they should be a last resort when implementing Inner Medicine practices. Maya Tiwari cautions against becoming dependent on herbs in much the same way that we as a culture have become dependent on pharmaceuticals. Ayurvedic herbs are generally only prescribed for short periods of time to help with stubborn imbalances.

I hope that I have inspired you to tap into your own Inner Medicine. When I decided to take back some of the power and responsibility for my own healing, a door opened and everything changed for me. I became whole again.

“Healing is simple. It is initiated within yourself through this awareness. Healing is a subtle thing–it is about the character of your ongoing relationship to the earth, sun, moon, sky, water, forest, animals, and children.” –Maya Tiwari

Much love,
Barbara

P.S. Here are some wonderful resources to help you connect to your own Inner Medicine.

Women’s Power to Heal by Maya Tiwari
Living Ahimsa Diet by Maya Tiwari
A Life of Balance by Maya Tiwari
Be Your Own Shaman by Deborah King
Breathe Deep Laugh Loudly: The Joy of Transformational Breathing by Judith Kravitz
The Healer Within by Roger Jahnke

I took the basis of a recipe from the Engine 2 Diet - Black Beans and Brown Rice Extravaganza, then I left some ingredients out and added in some of my own. It turned out ‘Muy Sabroso” (very tasty )!

Two Bean Taco

2 cans beans ( I used black & aduki )

1 can sweetcorn

1 avocado

10 cherry tomatoes

bunch spring onions

bunch corriander

8 chard leaves ( finely shredded )

splash of tamari

salt & pepper

1/4 teasp chili powder

1 teasp fennel leaves

1/2 green or red chili pepper ( seeds removed )

1 teasp lime juice

hard taco shells

Chop all the vegetables into small pieces and combine with the beans. Add the salt, pepper, chili powder, fennel, corriander, lime juice and tamari.

Spoon the mixture into the taco shell. Serve with a slice of lime on the side.

This is the first time I have ever used chard, indeed the first time I’ve bought or tasted it. I’m amazed how good it is and how many health benefits.

CHARD is not only one of the most popular vegetables along the Mediterranean but it is one of the most nutritious vegetables around and ranks second only to spinach. It is an excellent source of vitamin K, manganese, magnesium, copper and calcium which help with bone health ; antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E; potassium which promotes a healthy heart; and iron, vitamin B2 and B6 which are great for boosting energy. Also zinc which helps boost the immune system. – A Powerful Plant!

Enjoy

Maria

Now, as I previously discussed my dad has lupus and my aunt, his sister, actually has lupus so it actually runs in the family which is why there was a high likely hood that either my sister or I would get it.  Now, since I am the one with ALL of the health issues from my parents it was an even stronger likely hood that I would get it.  So, first off here is my list:

1. Premature.  I was actually supposed to be born in October; however, for months I attempted to get out and was eventually born in September.  Oh and by get out I mean that my mother was in the hospital with me on and off for the last few months of her pregnancy and they almost had to sow her cervix shut because as my dad says, I was saying, “ahh ahh let me out of here”.
2. Hypothyroidism.  My mother actually has hyperthyroidism, while I have Hypo.  And it runs in her side of the family, her sisters have it and I believe her mother had it as well.  Hypothyroidism basically means that my thyroid hormone does not produce enough thyroid hormone.  This can result in depression, tired feeling, dry skin, memory issues….and all of these is how it came to light that I have the disorder.  When I was 15, I started to have memory issues, as in study all night for an exam, go take the exam that morning and can’t remember anything I studied.  Also, my eyes became poppy which was another issue.  So I had a Partial Thyroidectomy in which they removed part of the gland and now I take Levothyroxine aka Synthroid to manage my thyroid levels.
3. Asthma. Now this one I got from my father.  Though I haven’t had issues with it, since I was much younger, sometimes I do have to utilize my albuterol inhaler…particularly when I get the cold or flu like I still have right now.  But like I said this really hasn’t been an issue since I was younger.
4. Migraines. Now this is something that actually occurred in my sister first and then me.  We have no idea who we got them from but I would LOVE it if they took them back.  Blinding migraines, can’t be surrounded by light or noise, and all you want to do is just take some medication to make you unconscious.  My sister actually struggles with these more than I do; unfortunately.

So, that is my list of health issues…now where is Fibromyalgia you ask…or Lupus.  Well, I didn’t include it on the list just because as of right now I have no idea which it is.  But as previously discussed, exhaustion, chronic pain, shooting pains in my arms and legs, and a lot of stiffness can definitely be attributed to them.  So, why is this post titled kind of scared because well…this are potential issues that come along with the Lupus diagnosis:

1. Lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.<—Now as I have two family members with this diagnosis, I already knew this and I am concerned but not worried as much as my family is because I see them working and managing it so I’m sure I’ll be able to do the same.  Plus I have age on my side, I’m young so it should be easier to manage…right?
2. Infection. People with lupus are more vulnerable to infection because both the disease and its treatments weaken the immune system. Infections that most commonly affect people with lupus include urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, yeast infections, salmonella, herpes and shingles.<—Now this scares me.  Why? Because every time my dad gets a cold I’m on pins and needles until he is no longer sick because I know that he has a compromised immune system. As as someone that has other health issues and already gets sick on a pretty regular basis, your telling me that I could get sick even more.  Yeah that…that is a problem.  Plus I worry that if I am experiencing these issues now, what will I be like 5, 10, 15 years from now.
3. Pregnancy complications. Women with lupus have an increased risk of miscarriage. Lupus increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) and preterm birth. To reduce the risk of these complications, doctors recommend delaying pregnancy until your disease has been under control for at least 6 months.<—If you know me, you know one of my biggest fears is that I won’t be able to get pregnant.  I have always had this fear that my OBGYN will tell me that I can’t get pregnant.  Mainly because I haven’t had the smoothest ride with my lady parts.  By that I mean I have had an abnormal pap smear, had to have my uterus scraped, and had to be monitored to make sure that the test doesn’t appear abnormal again and that the abnormal cells don’t occur again.  Also, during my time of the month I have extreme cramps, I even have cramps when it is not that time of the month.  I’m talking nausea, I’m throwing up cramps.  Not only that but I have ALWAYS wanted to be a mother, ever since I was younger; I wanted to be a wife and mother.  So, having something that could prevent then especially when I found the perfect future husband and father for me is nerve wrecking.

So the research has me scared and the fact that I have to wait until June 24th to get the final word and a treatment plan moving forward is also very nerve wrecking.  I just want some resolution to this solution ASAP.  Oh and I am still sick, been sick over a week which is not helping matters; especially since the cold seems to be sitting in my chest…not the best feeling.

I guess the first step is admitting your scared.  My question is what is the next step….

In truth, sincerity, and love,
Adam L. Spain, President and Trustee of The Eden Wellness Alliance

http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1681064

http://media.jamanetwork.com/news-item/study-suggests-u-s-children-born-outside-the-united-states-have-lower-risk-of-allergic-disease/

Study Suggests U.S. Children Born Outside The United States Have Lower Risk of Allergic Disease

 A study by Jonathan I. Silverberg, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of St. Luke’s—Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York,  and colleagues suggests children living the in the United States but born outside the U.S. have a lower prevalence of allergic disease that increases after residing in the United States for one decade. (Online First)

 The cross-sectional questionnaire used for the study was distributed to 91,642 children aged 0 to 17 years enrolled in the 2007-2008 National Survey of Children’s Health. The main outcomes measured were prevalence of allergic disease, including asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergies.

 According to the study results, children born outside the United States had significantly lower odds of any atopic disorders than those born in the United States, including ever-asthma, current-asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergies.

Children born outside of the United States whose parents were also born outside the United States had significantly lower odds of any atopic disorders than those whose parents were born in the United States.

Children born outside the United States who lived in the United States for longer than 10 years when compared with those who resided for only 0 to 2 years had significantly higher odds of developing any allergic disorders, including eczema and hay fever, but not asthma or food allergies.

“In conclusion, foreign-born Americans have significantly lower risk of allergic disease than US-born Americans. However, foreign-born Americans develop increased risk for allergic disease with prolonged residence in the United States,” the study concludes.

Some possible benefits of Ashwagandha root may include:

● Improving memory & mental function
● Benefits for occasional panic attacks & anxiety
● Battling depression & stabilizing mild to moderate mood changes
● Combating mental or physical fatigue
● Enhancing immune-system support
● Building Muscle
● Improving libido and sexual vitality

Mental Function

Ashwagandha shows remarkable promise for increasing brain function. Researchers have found that ashwagandha can increase acetylcholine receptor activity. Increased acetylcholine receptor capacity might partly explain the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving effects of extracts from ashwagandha observed in animals and humans. Further studies indicate that ashwagandha stimulates the growth of axons and dendrites.

According to scientists, Ashwagandha most likely affects multiple body systems to promote emotional well-being, mental sharpness and physical endurance. Pharmacological studies indicate the mechanism of action is Withaferin-A, a primary Withanolide in Ashwagandha, which stimulates neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. This effect enhances memory and other cognitive processes.

Antioxidant Activity

Research has also found that ashwagandha increases the levels of three naturally powerful antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. The effects of these antioxidants may explain the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects produced in experimental animal and in clinical situations.

These findings are consistent with the therapeutic use of ashwagandha root in Ayurveda as an overall health promoter. The root is primarily recognized for its adaptogenic properties. An adaptogen is a physiological agent with the ability to naturally increase the body’s resistance to emotional and physical stresses. Ayurvedic practitioners traditionally use Ashwagandha to promote gentle relaxation, emotional balance, and sexual vitality.

Sexual Enhancer

Ashwagandha is also India’s most potent hot plant. It is used equally by men and women, and is widely prescribed by physicians to adults with low libido, and to improve sexual function. Ashwagandha contains phyto-androgens, which are precursors to reproductive hormones that support overall reproductive health for men and women. Research conducted by Indian herbologist P. Paranjpe and published in his book “Indian Medicinal Plants” showed that ashwaganda’s rejuvenating effect on the reproductive organs may help increase sperm mobility, increase sperm count and improve poor sexual performance.

Muscle Toner

Ashwagandha is considered a rejuvenating or tonifying herb in Ayurveda. It is given to children who have low body weight, people with debility or those who are convalescing. In 2000, an article published in the Alternative Medicine Review showed the growth-promoting and rejuvenating effect of ashwagandha when the powdered root was given to a group of healthy children in milk for 60 days. The control group got a placebo in milk. At the end of the trial, there was an increase of weight gain and cell growth levels in the ashwagandha group over the control. Due to its muscle-building capabilities, specifically anabolic muscle, athletes may find it useful for increasing muscle weight, tone and athletic performance.

Use Ashwagandha to prevent and/or treat:

According to many studies including a Japanese study “Withanolides potentiate apoptosis, inhibit invasion, and abolish osteoclastogenesis through suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and NF-kappaB-regulated gene expression” published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 2006 Jun;5(6):1434-45, “Ashwagandha is reported to have anti-carcinogenic effects in animal and cell cultures by decreasing the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB, suppressing intercellular tumor necrosis factor, and potentiating apoptotic signaling in cancerous cell lines.” Speaking plainly, ashwagandha signals cancer cells to die.

Related articles

• Ashwgandha “the real power” (ashtangayurveda.wordpress.com)
• Amazing Ashwagandha: The Plant for Stress Reduction, Cancer Prevention, and More (naturalsociety.com)
• Herbal Vitality Supplements To Increase Energy Level And Stamina (lucasnaruka.wordpress.com)