Cultivate the Intelligence Within

The Case for Thieves vs. Windex™

2010-11-17T04:03:00.000-08:00

"Reprinted from The Raindrop Messenger, a free eline newsletter, with permission from Dr. David Stewart. To subscribe or download back issues, visit www.RaindropTraining.com."

The Case for Thieves vs. Windex™
~^~By Gloria Miller

Now that the holiday season is approaching, most of us are starting to focus on the tradition of getting our homes "sparkling clean." But what kind of products to use -- or NOT to use, and why? I'd like to make the case for Thieves Household Cleaner (which, I admit, has an odd-sounding name), by contrasting it with a popular over-the-counter cleaner (with a most delightful-sounding name): Crystal Rain Windex™. (Aaahh. . . Lovely purple color, and the name makes us want to run barefoot through the dewdrops, right? Well, read on. . .)

Nobody would dream of spraying food with Windex, but they do spray various surfaces in their home with it -- including sinks and countertops -- which come in contact with food, and refrigerator door handles, which come in contact with skin.

Let's take a few seconds to find out what they (and their family and pets) will be inhaling, and what kind of chemicals will be left behind on surfaces. There's not much printed on the label, so I visited the Windex.com website for a closer look, then checked out the ingredients on Wikipedia.

Here are some of the ingredients in Crystal Rain Windex, what the maker has to say about them, and what they really are.

The Windex website lists 2-Methoxyethanol (also called Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether) and describes it as "a cleaning agent that removes dirt and soils." Just what we want, right?

2-Methoxyethanol is toxic to the bone marrow and testicles. Workers exposed to high levels are at risk for granulocytopenia (reduction in certain types of white blood cells), macrocytic anemia (abnormally large red corpuscles usually caused by B-12 deficiency), oligospermia (shortage of sperm), and azoospermia (absence of sperm). Uh-oh. . .

The Windex website lists Ethanolamine, described as "a cleaning agent that removes dirt and soils." Again, this sounds good. Ethanolamine is a toxic, flammable, corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid with an odor similar to that of ammonia. It is an iritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Overexposure causes lethargy. What!? . . . No wonder people get tired when they clean all day with Windex. Ouch! And P.U.!

Ethoxylated alcohol, another ingredient, is listed on the Windex website as "a cleaning agent that removes dirt and deposits." O - o - okaaay. . .

Ethoxylated alcohol has been controversial because of its widespread use and the toxicity to aquatic life after it's degradation. (Is this what the maker means by "green???") By the way, some ethoxylated alcohols are called PEGs, or polyethylene glycols. Ever heard of them? PEGs are a class of useful compounds of molecular weights ranging from 190 to 9000 atomic mass units that vary in texture from viscous liquids to waxy solids. The Merck Index says PEGS can be considered as being of "low toxicity." (Regarding toxicity, "no" is better than "low" and Thieves Household Cleaner has "no toxicity.")

Anyhow, PEGs are found in all kinds of over-the-counter products from garage floor cleaners, cosmetics, and eye drops, to paints, paper coatings, commercial foods and food products. Wikipedia says "PEGs are nephrotoxic (damaging to the kidneys) if applied to damaged skin. (Is that what they mean by "low toxicity?) Pesonally, I'd rather protect my kidneys than put them at risk for the sake of a shiny countertop.

Now for the mystery ingredient, Polyquart® Ampho 149, also said to be "a cleaning agent that removes dirt and soils." The name tells you it is a synthetic substance that does not exist in nature with which our bodies were not designed to easily metabolize and eliminate. Polyquart® Ampho 149 is a registered trademark of Cognis GmbH, which is the same as saying, "No way will we tell you what's in it." Hmmm. . .I wonder why. . .

No place does it say whether these chemicals in combination might be even more dangerous. The company isn't required to test them that way, so they don't -- or if they did, they aren't telling us the outcome. (Call me a worry-wart, but I'm willing to bet mixing them together doesn't make them any less toxic.)

There are a few other ingredients, including artificial colors. I didn't check them out because I believe the above would be enough to convince ANYONE to switch to Young Living's Thieves Household Cleaner. (Oh, and water, which you can get by turning on a faucet.)

But if someone still needs more convincing, consider this: Crystal Rain Windex costs about $3.00 per quart.

Thieves Household Cleaner, mixed to "Medium Degreasing" concentration, costs about thirty cents a quart. It comes highly concentrated, so you add your own water.

Thieves Household Cleaner is totally non-toxic -- so safe that a small child could drink it right out of the bottle and not be harmed. Full-strength, it will clean burned-on gunk off the bottom of an oven. To clean glass, just dilute it further with some white vinegar, which makes it even more of a bargain.

But even if someone doesn't care about paying ten times more for Windex, why would they pay a company any amount on toxins? How "clean" will their house be, with a film of toxins on every surface?

Thieves Household Cleaner is antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal (great for destroying mold and mildew in tiled surfaces!) It's even antiviral. It contains 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils of Clove, Cinnamon, Lemon, Eucalyptus radiata, and Rosemary, but NO harmful chemicals. So besides everything being sanitary AND safe, your house will smell wonderful.

Breathing Thieves cleaner is pleasant and boosts your health. The makers of Windex can't claim that.I count it an added bonus when, after cleaning all day with Thieves cleaner, my hands feel better than when I started! And, oddly enough, the water I used will be dirty, but the rag or sponge is fairly clean. (Go figure!)

If you haven't already, I hope you will "make the switch" to Thieves Household Cleaner. Do it for health's sake AND for your budget. It comes in a 14.4 ounce size (YL item #3743), but if you want to save even more money, get the two quart size (YL item #4475).

My Food Issues

2010-05-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

I believe we all have issues surrounding food. Because it is our longest and most intimate relationship, these issues run deep. I was the third of four children. In a household where there was not always very much to go around, we tended to get a little territorial about some things. One of these was food. I remember labeling our names on containers of dinner leftovers so that no one else would eat what we claimed.
Even though I have done so much personal work, I recently noticed myself operating in the old mentality of "lack" and "not having enough". Yikes!
I'm embarrassed to admit that sometimes I don't want to share my food with my friends. While this is not usually the case, I had this feeling twice in the past several weeks. I decided it was time to get real with myself and dig deeper. Why was I triggered when my friend took a second helping of my "precious salad greens" that had come from my organic farm? I wanted to share them with her, but I also watched myself grow annoyed when she took more even though I had offered more to her. These were my greens for the whole week and I couldn't just get more at a grocery store. These greens came from my CSA. They were special and irreplaceable.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I still have somewhere inside of me a belief in lack. There's not enough to go around. I'm scared to let go. What if I don't have enough? At the end of the week, of course, I was still well fed and I indeed did have enough and more to spare. I know that my food issues are reflective of other scenarios in my life. If I'm feeling a certain way about food, chances are I'm feeling this same way about other events in my life. Now my work is to examine those areas and heal that perceived lack in my life.

Our food issues always are connected to who we perceive ourselves to be. Who you are as an eater is reflective of who you are in life. The next time your food issue rears its beautiful head, take notice of what it is REALLY about and dig deep within to heal the true issue. Suddenly the food issue is gone and you find joy!

Stinging Nettles!

2010-04-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took a walk in the woods wearing gloves and armed with a scissors and a bag. I was on a mission to harvest nettles. Why would I want to eat something that causes extreme itching and pain? Well, after a good boil, the sting is gone and I am left with a nutrient rich dinner and tea for the next day. I ate my nettles with Ghee and sea salt. So simple and so yummy!
A few bites to inspire you: Nettles are rich in calcium, iron, Vitamin C, and so much more. In fact, if you research it, it seems to be good for just about anything that might ail you, including asthma and allergy!
Caution: Never harvest anything in the wild unless you have complete confidence in your knowledge.

1. Are Essential Oils a Cure for Monster Bacteria like MRSA?

2010-01-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

This is a rather lengthy article but has potential life saving information. I bolded the key sections.

"Reprinted from The Raindrop Messenger, a free eline newsletter, with permission from Dr. David Stewart. To subscribe or download back issues, visit www.RaindropTraining.com."

Are Essential Oils a Cure for Monster Bacteria like MRSA?
~^~by David Stewart, PhD

MRSA (pronounced "murr - sa") is an acronym for "Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus." While Staphylococcus aureus is a common and relatively harmless inhabitant in the nasal passages of 25-30% of people, the MRSA form of staphylococcus is not so benign and once entrenched it does not go away. MRSA is a monster bacteria created by the medical use of man-made antibiotics and antibacterial agents employed principally in hospitals. It was first detected in the 1960s, only a few years after a new semi-synthetic form of penicillin (Methicillin) was introduced.

Hospitals are where this germ originated and is still where it is principally found. However, since 1982 MRSA has been found outside of hospitals, first detected among drug users in Detroit. Since then it has worked its way into other parts of the community, including playgrounds and gymnasiums. Thus, we not only have HA-MRSA or "Hospital Acquired MRSA" but also CA-MRSA or "Community Acquired MRSA."

The portion of staphylococcal infections in the U.S. due to MRSA has risen steadily at an ever-increasing rate from 2% in 1974 to 63% in 2004. Once MRSA has been acquired, it is usually remains with the infected individual for life and can be fatal. Medical science has no effective treatment for MRSA infections.

A Relative Contracts MRSA

As a case in point, I have a relative, a retired career military man, who accompanied his wife to a hospital for some routine tests for her (not him). He had a small open scratch on his leg. During his visit, he acquired HA-MRSA through that small scratch. His leg swelled up and became inflamed. To date, no treatment has worked in stopping the spread of the bacteria in his body. It has now infected his entire leg and has worked up into his groin. He has been hospitalized more than once for treatments, all of which have been ineffective. It has been five years since his fateful visit to the hospital with his wife and he still carries the infection, which is slowly spreading.

I mentioned the possibility of essential oils to him, but he is a relative of mine and, as many of you have experienced, we have no credibility with our relatives. (Mark 6:4) He is also a devout believer in allopathic medicine. Having a Cadillac insurance program from being a veteran, he is content to keep receiving free medical treatment, even though it is not working. Unless he eventually resorts to a non-allopathic solution, he will most likely suffer from this infection for the rest of his life and, perhaps, even succumb to it.

Will Medical Science Find a Solution to MRSA?

Since the pharmaceutical approach to resistant strains of bacteria is to develop stronger and stronger antibiotics, there a pharmaceutical solution is not likely to ever be found because any antibiotic stronger than Methicillin would be more likely to kill the patient than the bacteria. Vancomycin is another antibiotic nearly equal in potency to Methicillin, but it, like Methicillin, can also be lethal to the patient and has not been found effective against MRSA.

Since it was the plethora of man-made antibiotics and antibacterial agents employed since the 1950's that were the creators of MRSA and other resistant strains of bacteria in the first place, it is not likely that any medicine synthesized in a laboratory will ever be a solution. In fact, additional more powerful man-made drugs would most likely result in giving birth to even more virulent microorganisms. MRSA is a Frankenstein of the Medical System's own creation. The solution to MRSA must come from outside the medical paradigm.

Are Essential Oils Effective Against MRSA?

Since Modern Medicine has no cure for MRSA and is, in fact, the cause of MRSA, the most likely means to combat MRSA is essential oils, which are among the most versatile and effective antimicrobial agents known. Not only do essential oils have powerful antibacterial properties without side effects, they are also incapable of producing resistant strains of bacteria as synthetic pharmaceuticals do.

There are two reasons essential oils do not and cannot create resistant strains of bacteria:

(1) Essential oils are extremely complex, comprised of hundreds of compounds, while laboratory-produced medicines are simple, usually consisting of only one or two active ingredients. Thus, bacteria have less difficulty in breaking the codes of a man-made medicine than in attempting to form a resistance to a natural medicine like an essential oil.

(2) Furthermore, essential oils are never twice the same while every batch of a pharmaceutical drug is always the same, reproduced with laboratory exactness. Hence, with repeated exposure to the same identical drug, bacteria eventually figure out its toxic properties and develope resistance. However, since essential oils are never identical from year to year, even if bacteria did figure out an oil's effective components in a given year, they would have to start all over with the next crop.

The reason essential oils are not exactly duplicatible is because they are products of the vagaries of nature. The essential oils of a plant vary to adjust to their environment, just as human blood adjusts from morning to evening, from season to season, and from climate to climate. A plant's oils are actually different from morning to night each day and from week to week throughout the growing season. Furthermore, the growing environment for a plant is never the same year to year. Some years are warmer than others, some cooler, some with more rain, some less, and if you compare the same species grown in different latitudes, altitudes, climates, and soils, you get even greater variations.

A basil plant will always produce a basil oil with the same suite of compounds, but from year to year and place to place, the relative proportions of the hundreds of compounds comprising basil oil will be different. Essential oils are like fine wines. Since no two years are the same, neither are two year's wines the same even from the same vinyard. That is why vintners put dates on their bottles, since each year's wine will a little different in taste, color, and fragrance.

Therefore bacteria will never figure out nor become resistant to an essential oil because they are too complex and because they are always changing. Man-made medicines are temporary, but God's medicines are forever. Hospitals used to use the Oil of Onycha (Styrax benzoin) dissolved in alcohol (called Tincture of Benzoin) as their most effective antiseptic and antibacterial agent to cleanse and sanitize their wards.
If hospitals and medical doctors would have continued to use natural agents like Onycha, we would not have resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA, to threaten us today.

The Versatility of R.C.

R.C. Oil Blend has been applied successfully for pneumonia, for dissolving calcium deposits in joints, and to stop snoring, although its primary purpose is to relieve "Respiratory Congestion." That is what the initials, "R.C.," stand for. RC has been effective with many forms of congestion including colds, bronchitis, sore throats, sinusitis, coughs, lung infections, and respiratory allergy symptoms. However, in a series of laboratory tests at the Young Living Laboratory and Weber State University in Utah (See citation below), of 91 single essential oils and 64 essential oil blends, while Lemongrass was found to be the most effective single oil, R.C. was found to be the most effective blend.

Seventy-eight of the 91 single oils tested showed measurable inhibitory activity against MRSA. The top ranking oils, in descending order of effectiveness, were Lemongrass (Cymbopogen flexuosus), Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora), Mountain Savory (Satureja montana), Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum), and Melissa (Melissa officinalis). The most effective single oil, Lemongrass, completely inhibited all MRSA growth on the test plate.

Since Tincture of Benzoin (containing Oil of Onycha) used to be the principal antibacterial cleansing agent used in hospitals, as mentioned above, it would be interesting to see how Onycha measures up in killing the MRSA bacteria. Unfortunately, this study of 91 single oils did not include Onycha.

Fifty-two of the 64 blends tested showed measurable inhibitory activity against MRSA. The top three ranking oils, in descending order of effectiveness, were R.C., Motivation, and Longevity. The most effective blend, R.C., also completely inhibited all MRSA growth on the test plate.

R.C. is a blend of 10 species, including three species of Eucalyptus, as follows: E. globulus, E. radiata, E. citriodora, Myrtle (Myrtus communis, not Lemon myrtle), Pine, Spruce, Marjoram, Lavender, Cypress, and Peppermint. The Power of R.C. in combating MRSA is far beyond any of its individual constituents. In fact, two of the constituent oils (E. globulus and Myrtle) both scored zero in their ability to inhibit MRSA growth. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of R.C. as a blend was almost triples the effectiveness of the most powerful ingredient, which was Peppermint oil. This finding dramatically illustrates the power of oil blends over many oil singles. An oil blend usually has capabilities not manifested by any of its components, which is why blends are preferred by most aromatherapists for healing applications.

The same was true of Motivation, the second most effective blend. Motivation contains only four single oils: Roman Chamomile, Spruce, Ylang Ylang, and Lavender. Ylang Ylang, alone, had no inhibitory effect on MRSA whatsoever while the other three ingredients all scored less than half as effective as the combination of all four. Thus, the power of Motivation against MRSA was found to be greater than that of any of the individual species comprising the blend.

It is also interesting to note that the three most effective blends (R.C., Motivation, and Longevity) contained none of the five most effective single oils (Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Mountain Savory, Cinnamon Bark, Melissa).

Can the Whole be Deduced from its Parts?

The conclusion is that one cannot deduce the properties of an oil blend from a knowledge of its components. Additional properties will always manifest in a blend that are not demonstrated by any of the singles that comprise it, while many properties of the singles do not manifest in the blend. This is why effective blends must be formulated intuitively and not by logic. All of Young Living's blends were formulated by Gary Young, all by intuition, some even by way of intuitive dreams.

The same principle is true of single oils in that one cannot deduce the properties of an essential oil by knowing the properties of its individual compounds as isolates. Attempting to do so would be like trying to deduce the taste and texture of a chocolate cake from the taste and textures of the individual ingredients, viz. white flour, shortening, sugar, salt, eggs, baking powder, bitter cocoa, and vanilla extract. This is why scientific studies on the properties of isolated single compounds of an oil do not reveal the nature of the oil and why knowledge of a single oil does not reveal the nature of a blend containing that oil.

This principle is true even to the extent that a compound that is highly toxic alone can be safe, non-toxic, and therapeutic when occurring as an ingredient in an essential oil. Many aromatherapists who fear certain oils have been trained in a school that teaches the fallacy that properties of isolated compounds studied in laboratories apply to the natural oils in which they are found. Thus, many aromatherapists avoid perfectly safe and therapeutically effective oils because a laboratory has found one or more compounds in the oil that, by themselves, are harmful.

It is this fallacy upon which many aromatheray books post lists of "forbidden oils, never to be used in aromatherapy for any purpose." These taboo lists include perfectly good oils like cinnamon, clove, basil, oregano, mountain savory, birch, wintergreen, cassia, tansy, pine, and even benign oils like vanilla. Of course, adulterated oils improperly distilled and grown with chemicals and insecticides can possess toxic properties. However, if one uses only Young Living oils, which are pure, unadulterated, properly grown, and properly distilled, one need not worry about toxicity.

It is interesting to note that Thieves Blend, which is a favorite antimicrobial blend that has been shown to be effective against a variety of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, is not particularly effective against MRSA. In fact, it is less than half as effective as R.C. This is surprising since Thieves contains Cinnamon Bark oil, which is one of the top three effective singles against MRSA. Yet Thieves, as a blend, was only about half as effective as Cinnamon Bark oil alone.

Practical Implications

The data cited here were all done in vitro in a laboratory on cultures of MRSA on test plates. While most of the oils tested are considered by the FDA as "GRAS" (Generally Regarded as Safe) for oral ingestion, no essential oil has been approved by the FDA for human use to treat a disease. The data definitely show promise for the possible treatment or prevention of MRSA infections, more promise than anything medical science has been able to find thus far. Furthermore, applying Lemongrass or R.C. has no negative side effects like antibiotics and no toxicities to humans like synthetic antibacterial agents.

So how can you make practical use of the research cited above? For one thing, if you are going to visit a hospital or spend time in a hospital, cover the soles of your feet with R.C. or Lemongrass. Rub one or both of these oil on your hands as an "antimicrobial oil glove" so that when you touch doorknobs, hospital furniture, elevator buttons, or public telephones, there will be a thin oil barrier between you and any possible MRSA contamination. MRSA is primarily spread by contact and not as an airborne pathogen. You might exercise the same precautions as in a hospital visit when visiting a public gymnasium where you are sharing workout equipment with strangers. Then when you go home, diffuse R.C. or Lemongrass, scrub your hands, and face with soap to minimize any exposure you may have had with invisible MRSA microbes.

Better to avoid going into a hospital altogether, if possible. Hospital personnel and pastors who regularly visit hospitals are at particular risk, not only to themselves, but also to their families since they can potentially carry MRSA into their homes.

If you do acquire a MRSA infection, realize that the medical profession can do little, if anything, to help you. However, you can safely apply R.C. or Lemongrass locally at the site of the infection and in any other way deemed advisable, even internally. Additional research is going to be required to determine the extent to which essential oils can prevent and/or cure MRSA infections in humans. At this time, Lemongrass and R.C. have demonstrated the greatest promise of all possibilities in combating the spread of MRSA and of bringing relief to those who have already contracted it.

Personally, if I were to be diagnosed with a MRSA infection circulating in my body, I would head for Gary Young’s clinic in Ecuador where essential oils can be administered intravenously. This is the only place in the world where essential oils are administered directly into the blood stream. I would request an I.V. containing a suspension of R.C. and/or Lemongrass oil. The clinic routinely administers oils such as Frankincense, Helichrysum, and Thieves intravenously, but to my knowledge an R.C.I.V. has never been administered to date. But if my system was found infected with MRSA, I would be willing to be the first to receive one.

Thanks to the Researchers

The scientific data cited in this article are published in an article entitled, Inhibition of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) by Essential Oils in the Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 23:444-449, (2008). This journal is published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The research was carried out, compiled, and reported by Sue Chao, Gary Young, Craig Oberg, and Karen Nakaoka as a collaborative project between the Young Living Laboratory, Lehi, Utah, and Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. The publication of this research is the first step toward FDA approval of essential oils in MRSA prevention or therapy.

This type of research is highly hazardous to those who engage in it since you are working closely with a potentially deadly microbe or one that can infect you for life. Great precautions must be taken to minimize any possibility of infection among the researchers and laboratory staff. I want to personally thank the individuals named above who took a risk on behalf of humanity to provide us with this valuable information.

Raindrop Technique

2010-01-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Characteristics of the Heart Centered Entrepreneur

2009-12-29T13:58:00.001-08:00

By Susie Beiler

Many business owners wonder if it is possible to run a successful business from the heart. Not only is it possible, it is the best way to build your reputation and your business. In my view a successful entrepreneur embodies the following characteristics.

1. HCE’s (heart centered entrepreneurs) are in tune with their own heart and what they want. What they offer in their business is an outflow of what is already in their hearts. They could be a plumber, a dog-walker, or a massage therapist. The key is that they are doing what they love.
2. HCE’s value themselves first. They value their time, energy, and resources and set up healthy boundaries to communicate this to customers. They teach their customers how they would like to be treated by how they treat themselves and their customers. Instead of doing things to put up an appearance of being nice, they are nice to themselves first and can then do business in true integrity. In this way being nice to others is easy because they are 100% in alignment with themselves and their actions are a reflection of this fact.
3. HCE’s know what they are worth. Truly, there is a time when compassion guides an entrepreneur to give the person on a limited income a break in the fee. As a rule, however, they charge a fair price for the value of what they provide. Just as important, their heart is open to receive the payments in the amount of the price they are charging.
4. HCE’s know when to “let it go”. Sometimes clients ask too much or want to get more than what they are paying for. An HCE listens to the request with compassion and healthy nonattachment and determines whether they are the right person to provide the requested service. Even if there are no new customers in the pipeline, the savvy HCE trusts that in letting go of the difficult client, new and better ones arrive on time.
5. HCE’s reward committed clients. A devoted client deserves the best. HCE’s give everything they have to give and trust in the ripple effect… they are impacting more than just one person when they have a satisfied client. HCE’s know that word of mouth is the most effective form of attracting clients that are a good match for them.
6. HCE’s know they are here to serve. Again, regardless of the profession, an HCE is in business to provide a service that is a demonstration of their life purpose. In this vein, HCE’s care more about the customer than making money from that customer. HCE’s know how to balance the need to make money with the desire to meet the customer’s needs and their own needs.

It has been my experience that there is a universal support system that is created around the Heart Centered Entrepreneur. When the HCE is truly in business for the right reasons, they always have what they need. An open heart is in the graceful flow of giving and receiving with trust and gratitude.

©Susie Beiler 2009

Affirmations for Exuberant Health

2009-12-29T12:32:00.000-08:00

Stay Tuned!
Starting in January I will be offering you affirmations so that YOU can achieve exuberant health in YOUR life!

Things I do to stay healthy!

2009-07-29T06:51:00.000-07:00

Would you like an inside look at my life?
Stay tuned!
I will be twittering and facebooking in August about all the little things I do to choose health each day!

Advertise your Ethical Business and Generate Income here!

2009-06-16T14:19:00.001-07:00

For us here in the U.S., that's only a one time fee of $82!

Thieves Essential Oil Blend

2009-05-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

Thieves is not just for winter use, Thieves is the perfect product to keep you protected whether you're traveling, shopping, at school, or at home.

Young Living's Thieves essential oil blend was created based on the legendary account of four thieves in France who protected themselves from the Black Plague with cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing victims of the killer disease. When captured, they were offered a lighter sentence in exchange for their secret recipe.

Thieves contains Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and Eucalyptus radiata essential oils specifically blended to offer the same natural defense experienced by those four thieves. This oil blend harnesses the immune-enhancing properties of clove and germ-fighting elements of Eucalyptus radiata, and has been university tested and found to be effective against airborne bacteria. You can diffuse it, apply it topically, or ingest Thieves as a dietary supplement to experience the health-enhancing benefits.

Information from the Young Living website

Personally I love the Thieves cleaner to clean my kitchen sink and my bathroom. I don't have to worry about chemicals AND it smells great all while killing the "nasties" that lurk in dark moist places! I even use it to clean out my turtle tank.

Order your oils here!

Essential Oils~ More than Aromatherapy

2009-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

Often when people hear that I work with essential oils they think of something that just smells nice. True essential oils are a lot more than a pretty smell. If you use 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils that were grown, harvested, and distilled in the optimum conditions, you benefit from the plant’s medicinal properties. Because essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant, they carry a healing frequency that benefits mind, body, and spirit.

Peppermint, in my opinion, is an all purpose oil that you should have whether you are at home, in your car, traveling across country, or at the spa. Peppermint can be used in your everyday life in so many ways.
1. Put a few drops of peppermint oil into a spray bottle with a few ounces of water. Spray it into the air to kill airborne bacteria or just to refresh the air. Use this same bottle to spray your houseplants to deter bugs.
2. Take a drop internally to provide relief from congestion and enhance your digestion. Peppermint is well known for aiding in the relief of heartburn, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, stomach cramps, nausea, hiccups, and generalized indigestion. *Note: Peppermint is safe to take internally with the brand I use, Young LivingTM Essential Oils. Some brands are not.
3. Peppermint is an excellent oil to use when you need pain relief. It aids your body in decreasing inflammation and soothing sore, tired, or stiff muscles and joints.
4. Rub a drop on your abdomen if you suffer from menstrual cramps. Use a hot water bottle or warm compress to enhance the effects of peppermint.
5. Regain your energy and enhance mental clarity by breathing deeply from the bottle or rub a drop in between your hands and place your hands in front of your nose while you breathe in.
6. Stir a drop into chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Better yet, make a green smoothie and blend in a drop of peppermint. Add a drop to your water for an afternoon pick-me-up!

A few words of caution: If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor. While 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils are extremely safe and will not interact with medications in a negative way as some herbs can, they are highly powerful. If this is your first experience with the oils, please start out slowly. Essential oils oxygenate your cells and cause your body to release toxic material. It is rare, but people that are full of toxins sometimes experience symptoms of detoxification such as vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and/or feeling like they have a cold or flu. If you are obese, a heavy drinker of alcohol, taking a lot of medication, or eating a lot of processed sugar and refined foods, essential oils can be a powerful tool in your healing process. However, you may be more susceptible to experiencing a sudden cleanse when you first begin to use the oils.

*This information is not meant to substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. Please use at your own discretion.

©2009 Susie Beiler, CHHC, AADP, OTR/L
Check out my websites www.spectrumhealthconsulting.com and http://susie.younglivingworld.com for more resources to build your health.

Using essential oils in the Kitchen

2009-03-03T05:29:00.001-08:00

When I tell people that I use essential oils in recipes, I get a somewhat confused yet curious look. If you want to enhance your digestion AND impart deep flavor to your food, I suggest the following:

~Add a drop of essential oil to your salad dressing. Lemon, dill, tangerine, tarragon, ginger and orange are all good choices.
~Stir a drop of peppermint in your vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
~Oregano, Marjoram, Thyme, Rosemary, and/or Basil are wonderful additions to a bowl of soup.
~All the citrus oils (orange, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, and a blend called Citrus Fresh) perk up your water AND aid in weight loss as they provide a gentle yet very effective detox for your cells!
~Flavor up your brownies with peppermint, cinnamon, or nutmeg.
~Make a fruit smoothie or sorbet with the citrus oils. www.greenfeet.com has some great recipes.

I hope this gives you some inspirational ideas. If you have some of your own, please feel free to add them in the comment section!

Remember that these medicinal quality oils will lose some of their healing properties when heated. Whenever possible, add the oils after you have heated up your meal.

I use only 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils from Young Living. Other oils may contain perfumes, fillers, or may have been processed with solvents. Order your oils from http://susie.younglivingworld.com

Please sign this Health Revolution Petition!

2009-02-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

Please sign this Petition!

Watch Mike Adam's Message

ORGANIC GHEE

2009-02-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

What is Ghee?
Ghee is prepared by melting and simmering butter until all the water evaporates and the milk solids settle at the bottom. The clarified butter is then carefully removed from the top and strained to get pure ghee. Ghee has been used in Indian cooking for thousands of years. Ghee is very healing for your digestive and nervous systems. It is clarified butter which means that it does not contain the difficult to digest dairy protein (casein) and sugar (lactose).

What is Grass-fed and why is it important to only consume animals or animal products that have been grass fed?
Grass-fed cows are pasture-raised and eat what nature intended them to eat; Grass. Most of the conventional cows are fed large amounts of grains (primarily corn), soy and other supplements to increase milk production and decrease cost. They are kept in crowded feedlots and don’t get the opportunity to roam freely and peacefully in the sun and eat high-fiber green grass. This makes them vulnerable to various diseases, which are then treated with antibiotics. Cows are also given growth hormones to increase milk production. However, scientific studies show that grass-fed, pasture-raised cows are healthier and they produce better quality and safer milk.
Dairy products from grass fed animals have higher levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, Omega-3 fatty acids and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). CLA is a newly discovered good fat which may inhibit the proliferation of several types of cancers, lower total and LDL cholesterol, lower triglyceride levels, reverse the symptoms of diabetes, improve immunity, help reduce body fat and improve bone formation.

More Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
CLA level in fat from grass fed animals is three to five times more than in the fat from animals which are fed conventional diets. So if you are serious about fighting these deadly diseases then be sure to pick-up a grass-fed product.
The ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fats is around 3:1 for grass-fed animals and over 20:1 for grain-fed animals, since grass is rich in Omega-3 and grains have higher Omega-6. So eating more grass-fed products helps you maintain the right balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Go Green
Grass-fed dairies are generally small. They promote harmony between the land and the animals. They support biodiversity and reduce waste. They work in a sustainable manner and are good for our environment .

Ghee Benefits

Best for cooking
Ghee is one of the best oils for cooking. It stimulates digestive fire (or Agni) according to Ayurveda. It has a very high smoke point and its chemical structure does not change at high heat. It produces sweet aroma when heated. You use less than half of other oils and it enhances the flavor of food.

Sattvic Food
Cow Ghee is considered a sattvic food in Ayurveda. Cow milk has the essense of the grass and plants, and cow ghee possesses the essence of cow milk.

Brain Food
Ghee is a nutrient dense food and contains CLA, Omega-3, fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K2 (Activator X). Fat soluble vitamins which help in production of proteins and lipids essential for mental health. Synthetic vitamins don't contain co-factors, activators and enzymes which are required for the full absorption of the vitamins. So getting your vitamins from natural food is the best and safest option.

Healthy Skin
Ghee keeps skin soft, smooth and lubricated. It also has anti-aging properties.

Dr. Weston A Price's X Factor
A nutrition pioneer Dr. Weston A Price documented the tremendous health benefits of taking deep-yellow butter oil (high in X Factor).

No Trans Fats
Ghee does not contain harmful trans fats which can cause heart disease and many other serious health problems.

Information from Pure Indian Foods

I now sell Ghee made from organic, grass fed, free-ranging cows from Lancaster county.

7.5 oz jars = $10
13.5 oz jars = $15
28 oz jars = $26 {Your BEST buy!}

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DIGESTION

2009-02-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

Basil: stomach cramps
Cinnamon: stomach ulcers
Clove: diarrhea
Cumin: indigestion
Cypress: hiccups
Fennel: indigestion, gas, constipation
Ginger: diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, stomach cramps, nausea, constipation
Grapefruit: indigestion
Idaho Tansy: nausea
Ledum: gas
Lemon: diarrhea, heartburn
Mountain savory: diarrhea
Nutmeg: indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea
Orange: indigestion, diarrhea
Oregano: stomach ulcers
Patchouli: nausea
Peppermint: hiccups, indigestion, heartburn. gas, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, constipation
Rosemary: stomach cramps
Spearmint: indigestion, heartburn
Tarragon: hiccups, gas, constipation
Tea Tree: stomach ulcers
Thyme: stomach ulcers
*DiGize: heartburn, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea, constipation
*EndoFlex: heartburn
*Exodus II: stomach ulcers
*JuvaFlex: heartburn
*JuvaCleanse: heartburn
*Legacy: stomach ulcers
*R.C.: stomach ulcers
*Thieves: stomach ulcers, diarrhea

*Indicates a blend of essential oils

***Only use essential oils labeled “100% Pure, Therapeutic grade essential oils”, otherwise you may be using cheap, diluted, or perfume oils.

SUGGESTED USES

NAUSEA: Dilute 50-50 and massage 1-3 drops behind each ear and over navel 2-3x/hour; place warm compress over stomach as needed; inhale directly 4-6x/hour; place several drops on tongue as needed

HICCUPS: Place one drop each of cypress and tarragon on tip of index finger and place in clavicular notch; dilute 50-50 and apply 3-5 drops to chest and stomach; ingest via capsule or by mixing in liquid 2-4x/day

STOMACH CRAMPS, DIARRHEA, & INDIGESTION: Ingest via capsule or liquid 1-3x/day; dilute 50-50 and apply 6-10 drops over stomach 2x/day; warm compress over stomach 1-2x/day

GAS & HEARTBURN: Ingest via capsule 2x/day; dilute 50-50 and apply 6-10 drops over stomach 2x/day; warm compress 1-2x/day

STOMACH ULCERS: Ingest via capsule 3x/day for 20 days

CONSTIPATION: Ingest via capsule or in liquid 2-4x/day

Information from Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essential Science Publishing, 3rd edition

Beautiful Wisdom

2009-02-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

The following poem was written by my 10 year old niece. She is indeed a wise soul. May you find inspiration in her words and motivation to continue on your journey.

Rebuild Yourself

Life is a building you make.
Sometimes you feel it is all crashing down.

But it isn’t because there is still a foundation.
A hard slab of memories packed in tight.

When your foundation is there your life is there.
All you have to do is find more bricks.
© 2009 Bryn Dayton

Rediscover Peppermint!

2009-02-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

The following information is from Young Living's newsletter...

Young Living's peppermint is a must-have for every home and is the ideal essential oil for pampering! One of our most versatile oils, we've dedicated February to rediscovering its many uses.

Whether you want to experience the cooling sensation of menthol on overworked muscles, enjoy an invigorating foot scrub, or soothe an upset stomach, peppermint essential oil can help! Here are a few quick and easy ways to incorporate peppermint into your daily routine:

* Add a drop to herbal tea to help aid in digestion.
* Massage several drops on the abdomen, place a drop on the tip of the tongue or wrists, or inhale to soothe minor stomach discomfort associated with travel.
* Combine with lavender essential oil for a soothing and invigorating body, neck, or foot massage.

Our peppermint essential oil comes from the most potent plants around the globe—some is even grown on Young Living farms—and is tested to ensure proper levels of menthol and menthone are in every bottle.

But there's more to Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ peppermint than just finding the best plants. The secret is in expert harvesting practices. Peppermint is harvested when the field's overall appearance goes from light to dark green. The growers make sure the plant has just started to bloom before the peppermint is cut, and then water is carefully measured prior to distillation to ensure the most potent constituents are steam-extracted.

Order your peppermint here!

What is Raindrop Technique?

2009-02-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

The Raindrop Technique is a method of using Vita Flex, reflexology, massage techniques, and essential oils applied on various locations of the body to bring it structural and electrical alignment. It is designed to bring balance to the body with its relaxing and mild application. It will help align the energy centers of the body and release them if blocked, without using hard pressure or trying to force the body to change. Raindrop is extremely cleansing for the body and offers a tremendous boost to your immune system.
What can a Raindrop session do for you? Your session will cleanse your body, mind, and spirit and profoundly inspire you on your journey. Raindrop is helpful in alleviating back pain, boosting your immune system, correcting scoliosis, easing stress, healing from cancer and more!

A typical raindrop session facilitated by me includes:

* Time in the beginning to let me know of your intention for the session and what has happened in your life since your last session.

* You start out on the massage table face up with your feet at the very edge of the table. I apply a blend called Valor to your feet then your shoulders.

* I begin applying each oil to each foot using a reflexology technique called Vita Flex. I use Valor, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Wintergreen, Cypress, and Peppermint in that order.

* You turn over on the table and I drop oils along your spine from your sacrum (hips) to your occiput (head). I apply the same oils as your feet with the addition of Marjoram after Wintergreen.

* You then receive a warm towel on your back and I support your body in releasing and regenerating with gentle energy.

* After you are dressed, we talk about your experience and I send you on your way with a recommendation or two.

* You feel relaxed and energized to take on your life!

Experience the sacred healing power of Young Living Essential Oils. Raindrop Technique Sessions are 90 minutes and $100 until the end of February. Starting in March the fee is $125.
Gift Certificates available.

Earn a FREE session! Buy 8 sessions and receive one free session. All nine sessions must be used within 12 months. Pay for all 8 sessions up front in January or February and your cost remains just $100 per session regardless of when you use your sessions throughout the 12 months.

Call 267-307-4224 to schedule your session today!

TESTIMONIAL:
When I went to my Raindrop session with Susie, I had been fighting off a cold of some sort, and the symptoms were completely gone as of that afternoon. It seemed to be what my body needed to completely kick whatever it was. I also struggle with a tightness and hunching in my upper back due to physical work, and I was quite aware that i had much better posture for days after my session! I've also enjoyed utilizing healthful ideas I learned from reading her literature about the session and blog :) ~Krystal

Essential Oils for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia

2009-02-06T06:05:00.000-08:00

EPSTEIN BARR: Thyme, clove, sandalwood, grapefruit, nutmeg, blue tansy, mountain savory, oregano, tea tree, rosemary, ImmuPower, EndoFlex, Thieves, Longevity, DiGize, Exodus II.

ADDISON’S DISEASE (underproduction of hormones): nutmeg, sage, clove, rosemary, basil, EndoFlex, Joy, En-R-Gee. Apply with a warm compress over adrenal area.

CUSHING’S DISEASE (overproduction of hormones): lemon, peppermint, nutmeg, ImmuPower, Thieves, EndoFlex. Apply with a warm compress over adrenal area.

PHYSICAL FATIGUE: lemongrass, juniper, basil, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, nutmeg, black pepper, thyme, Melissa, cypress, Motivation, Valor, En-R-Gee, Hope, Clarity, Citrus Fresh, Awaken, Joy

MENTAL FATIGUE: black pepper, sage, peppermint, nutmeg, spearmint, pine, En-R-Gee, Clarity, Live With Passion, Envision, Valor, Motivation

FIBROMYALGIA: German chamomile, nutmeg, Idaho balsam fir, PanAway, Relieve It, Deep Relief, ImmuPower

Suggested Uses
Rub a drop or two on your feet before bed, upon awaking in the morning, and as needed. Diffuse them in the air. Place a drop in your hands, rub together, and inhale. Apply with a warm compress over your adrenals. Rub a drop on your ears. Oils with a supplement facts table on them may be taken internally either by capsule or dropped directly into your mouth. Raindrop Technique 1x/week.

Health Freedom

2009-01-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

Please cast your vote!

Essential Oils for Digestion

2009-01-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

Do you struggle with IBS, colitis, hiccups, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, or generalized indigestion? READ ON!

Basil: stomach cramps

Cinnamon: stomach ulcers

Clove: diarrhea

Cumin: indigestion

Cypress: hiccups

Fennel: indigestion, gas, constipation

Ginger: diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, stomach cramps, nausea, constipation

Grapefruit: indigestion

Idaho Tansy: nausea

Ledum: gas

Lemon: diarrhea, heartburn

Mountain savory: diarrhea

Nutmeg: indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea

Orange: indigestion, diarrhea

Oregano: stomach ulcers

Patchouli: nausea

Peppermint: hiccups, indigestion, heartburn. gas, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, constipation

Rosemary: stomach cramps

Spearmint: indigestion, heartburn

Tarragon: hiccups, gas, constipation

Tea Tree: stomach ulcers

Thyme: stomach ulcers

*DiGize: heartburn, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea, constipation

*EndoFlex: heartburn

*Exodus II: stomach ulcers

*JuvaFlex: heartburn

*JuvaCleanse: heartburn

*Legacy: stomach ulcers

*R.C.: stomach ulcers

*Thieves: stomach ulcers, diarrhea

*Indicates a blend of essential oils

***Only use essential oils labeled “100% Pure, Therapeutic grade essential oils”, otherwise you may be using cheap, diluted, or perfume oils.

ORDER here: http://susie.younglivingworld.com

2008-12-19T05:17:00.000-08:00

50 Foods That Will Help You Feel and Look More Beautiful

Hey everyone, thought you might enjoy this article. As always, just because the person that wrote this article thinks these foods are great does not mean they are great for YOUR body. Pay attention to your body's clues and cues to figure out if what you are eating is right for you.

2008-12-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

Are you a holistic or alternative practitioner? Create your free listing here!
Are you looking for an alternative care practitioner? Enter your zipcode and find one!

GreenPhillyBlog

2008-12-02T04:07:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,
I am writing to introduce you to an amazing blog maintained by two very inspiring young women, Julie and Beth. Please support them and take a look at their blog. They provide tips on going green and the latest news in the green movement. Excellent work Ladies!

http://greenphillyblog.com/

Essential Oil of Spruce

2008-11-25T05:14:00.000-08:00

I just added Spruce oil to my collection. I am soooo excited about this one! This time of year, Spruce adds a nice seasonal scent to my home when I wear it or diffuse it in my ultra-sonic diffuser. More than just a lovely aroma however, Spruce has some powerful healing properties. Spruce is antispasmodic, antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and stimulating for your immune system. You can use it to ease symptoms of arthritis/rheumatism, combat fungal infections especially candida & sinus/respiratory, and ease the pain of sciatica! Wow- what a great find! On the emotional level Spruce is helpful in releasing any blocks and bringing about a feeling of balance. Order your spruce today!

*Information from the Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essential Science Publishing

Women for Entrepreneurship, the Environment, and Social Equity

2008-10-31T04:47:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia, PA) October 30, 2008 - "Anyone can create a green initiative, anytime, don't wait", is the message Arianne Delafosse has for people who want to get involved in greening up their homes, creating a community-based community green campaign, and not have to reinvent the wheel.

Women for Entrepreneurship, the Environment, and Social Equity is the theme of this most timely and relevant information-sharing and networking session that will be held on Sunday, November 16 from 3pm until 6pm at the offices of Greenable located at 126 Market Street. Donation to attend is only $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years of age. Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited. Call 206-202-2883, email greenablewomen@weareboost.org, or visit www.weareboost.org for more information.

Women Leaders is being co-sponsored by We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) and Greenable, a Philadelphia-based green materials and services provider. Refreshments are being provided by Cosmic Catering, whose mission is to strive to make a small footprint on the earth but in turn a large footprint in their customer's souls and stomachs.

We Are BOOST Founder Tim Razzaq is absolutely thrilled to have his organization be able to invite the community at large out on an Sunday afternoon, provide a positive outlet for folks who may not be all that happy about what they have to face in the coming weeks with jobs and businesses at risk, and filter out so much of the 'green noise'.

Delafosse is Founder and Executive Director for Community Green, an all volunteer non-profit organization based in Basking Ridge New Jersey and her message echoes that of Susie Beiler of Spectrum Health Consulting who "would like attendees to come away with inspiration to create community, an understanding of the importance of having vision, and a sense of their level of commitment to implementing their visions."

Donation is $15 per adult and $5 for children under 12 years of age. A refreshments buffet of locally grown and harvested food will be prepared by Cosmic Catering and available to all who attend. Advanced registration is required, please call (206) 202-2883 or visit the calendar of events at http://www.weareboost.org.

---------------------------

About Your Women Leaders Panelists:

Patricia Gaylor, Green Interior Design and recently featured on Good Morning America
Topic: "Simple, Affordable, and Doable Ways you can: Make Your Home Healthier and More Energy Efficient, Set you Business Up Gain the Competitive Advantages of Going Green, and Find Green Materials Locally that are Readily Available and Financially Feasible"

Ariane Delafosse, Founder of Community Green (New Jersey)
Topic: "Easy Steps to Take Growing Your Community Green Nonprofit from the Grassroots to the Grass-tops."

Susie Beiler, Spectrum Health Consulting
Topic: "My Vision for Shamalada Healing Sanctuary and How You Can Become Engaged in Holistic Health for Personal and Community Wellness"

Trisha Mandes, Founder of Philly Eco Kids (PEK)
Topic: "How to Easily Educate Your Children and Students about Climate Change, Global Warming, and What They Can Do About It"

Marilyn Moran of Marilyn New Media Marketing and author of We Are BOOST Philly Green Blog
Topic: "Grow Your Business, Web Site or Blog: Sound Economical, Social, and Green Marketing Opportunities"

Barbara Stange, Simply Natural Living;
Topic: "Natural Steps to balance You, Your family,Your personal world through Body, Mind and Spirit"

Julie Hancher & Beth Funari, co-authors of GreenPhillyBlog, a Philadelphia-based website providing environmental information for the local region
Topic: "Planting the Seed: Growing Your Green Business from the Ground Up"

Mission Statement: We Are BOOST

We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) is a creative community solutions organization that develops and utilizes innovative and customized strategies to build structures relationships between individuals, organizations, businesses, institutions, and agencies that lead to beneficial social, economic, and educational opportunities and outcomes in under-served communities and emerging markets and neighborhoods.

Voice: (206) 202-2883,

Velocity: info@weareboost.org, and

Vision: http://www.weareboost.org

2008-10-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Tickets: Only $15 per person if purchased by Wednesday, Oct. 22. Print page and mail check or money order to - We Are BOOST * c/o23 West Street. P.O. Box 104 * Bordentown, New Jersey 08505. For more information or to pay by credit card, call (206) 202-2883. Also visit www.weareboost.org or http://phillygreen.wordpress.com/. Email info@weareboost.org.

Please come out and support me as a panelist!

CHANGE your Food- Fuel your LIFE

2008-10-13T11:36:00.001-07:00

Watch the trailer for my holistic nutrition DVD!

Essential Oils for your Cat's Cold

2008-10-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend inquired about which oils might help to relieve her cat's cold. I looked it up in my Essential Oils Desk Reference and on the testimonial website. http://www.oil-testimonials.com/7468 I found out that a special blend called R.C., which stands for Respiratory Congestion, has been helpful in alleviating cold symptoms in cats! Put a drop on a bandana and tie it around your cat's neck or dilute a drop in vegetable oil and rub it on her paws. Cats are super sensitive to the oils, so a little goes a loooong way. Easy does it! R.C. contains essentials oils of eucalyptus, myrtle, pine, marjoram, lavender, picea mariana, and peppermint. Of course, please use it on yourself as well. It is very effective to diffuse this oil if you have any type of respiratory issue such as a cold or allergies.

Essential Oil of Rosemary

2008-10-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

Recently I have fallen in love in Rosemary. It has a lot of uses. The Essential Oils Desk Reference provides the following information:
*Rosemary protects your liver. It is anti-tumoral, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic. Rosemary enhances mental clarity and concentration.
*You can use Rosemary to combat infectious disease and throat/lung infections. You can use it to restore hair growth and memory! Rosemary is great for weight loss and those with diabetes as it helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
*Its aromatherapy qualities help to overcome mental fatigue and improve clarity and focus. Inhale Rosemary to boost alertness, eases anxiety, and amplifies analytic and mental ability.

Suggested Application:
1) Dilute 1:1 with a carrier oil such as vegetable oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, etc. Apply directly to the skin on the "offending" area or on your chakras, or vitaflex points if you know them.
2) Inhale directly.
3) Diffuse in the air.
4) Take internally. Drop directly in your mouth or put a drop in an empty capsule.

Personally I like to put a drop in my water when I need a pick-me-up.

Purchase Rosemary here: http://susie.younglivingworld.com

Essential Oils Introduction

2008-10-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

Do you know about essential oils? They are the essence and lifeblood of a plant. They oxygenate our cells and help our bodies remove waste. They are highly cleansing and healing for our body. Get a free report from my website. http://susie.younglivingworld.com
You can diffuse them in the air, rub them on your feet, or take some of them internally. You can use them to make healthy cleaning products- Dilute with water and spray on the surface to be cleaned.
This is just scratching the surface. In future blogs I will highlight various essential oils and their uses. Enjoy!

Fear?

2008-10-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

What are you scared of? I'm not talking about snakes or spiders. I'm asking, deep deep down, what truly frightens you?
Most people are scared of not having enough, driving them to compromise who they are do things they don't want to do like work in jobs they don't like to make money they are scared to spend. Some people are scared of success. They feel like they don't deserve to be successful or to enjoy their life.
Whatever it is that you fear, just allow yourself to get to know it. Sit with it. Breathe into it. In other words Face it! Rather than try to hide it or run from it, really just be ok with having your fear. You might just find you are still alive! You may even find yourself more motivated and determined to go after the things that you want and make your life happen!
Fear can paralyze or it be used as a tool to spur us on to fulfill our destinies. How are you letting fear affect your life? Go ahead, take a deeper look.

I have been thinking about LIFE.

2008-08-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Where does your life come from? Where do you find your energy and your vibrance? For me, I find energy in consuming fresh, whole, local, organic foods. When I go to my farm, I can FEEL life growing and thriving. It is an inspiring and beautiful place to be! I surround myself with life. My living space is occupied with lots of plants. I choose friends who are moving in a positive direction in their lives. I work with clients who are learning how to make choices that build their health. I make every attempt in my own life to choose growth rather than stagnation. The more I choose Life, the better I feel and the easier it becomes to do the next time.
Where would you like to choose life? What part of your life is stagnate and what is ONE thing you can do right now to move it in a positive direction? Your mind may say it is impossible or you may come up with excuses and reasons about why your victim hood is better than actually feeling good, but I challenge you to take responsibility and move forward. It IS possible and you CAN do it!

Get it Now

2008-08-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

You are amazing. Do you get it? No, I mean really. Do you get how amazing you truly are? If you did, you would make smart choices in your life. You would take care of yourself exceptionally well. You would not take crap from anyone. You would stand up for yourself, even when it's really hard... especially when it's really hard. You would feed your temple with fresh, organic food whenever possible. You would do the things you love as often as possible.
What will it take for you to get it?
Please, don't wait until tragedy strikes or health issues overwhelm. Get it now. Open your heart to yourself and believe that you are worthy and deserving to have abundant health, regardless of your age or current state of health. Your deserve to have a life you are excited to live!
Start claiming your health by making one small change at a time. Start right now.

CREATE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR YOUR FAMILY

2008-05-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

My Top Tips-

Recognize that making changes is a process- go at your own pace.
Get clear about your priorities. Discuss with your spouse and children what they want and need. Maybe you want to eat healthier, but your kids want to play outside more. Make sure everyone’s voice is heard, and then create a plan together that includes a balance of physical activity, nutrition, family time, self-care, and career.
Lead by example. Take responsibility for your own health. Your actions send a very loud message to the rest of your family.
Get support. Tell your girlfriends what you are up to. If your significant other is not interested, find someone who is and share your successes with them. Hire a health counselor or someone else who can help you.
Make one manageable change at a time. Once you have a plan in place, you may be tempted to move forward full-throttle. The best way to achieve sustained changes, however, is to integrate them into your lifestyle one step at a time until they become consistent.

Radiant Summer Health

2008-05-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

The following are my Top Tips for staying healthy in the summer.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Drinking water flushes out toxic material from your cells and keeps your organs in good working order.
Play in nature. Enhance your spiritual connection by noticing the flowers and the honeybees. The small miracles that we sometimes miss are a critical piece of the circle of life.
Absorb some sun. The best form of Vitamin D comes from being in the sun. Avoid mid-day sun for extended periods of time. Avoid sunscreen- the toxic ingredients are really what cause cancer, not the rays from the sun. (Cancer has increased tremendously since sunscreen was introduced on the market.)
Eat locally grown food. Do your part to cut down on the pollution created by transporting food long distances. Support your local farmer and create connection in your local community.

For more resources to carry out these suggestions, check out the RESOURCES page on my website www.spectrumhealthconsulting.com .

Celebrate Your Cravings!

2008-04-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Yep, you read it right.
Cravings are messages from your body. Your body has an innate intelligence that knows how to maintain a balanced state. When we are not in balance, our bodies send us cues and clues to let us know something is not quite right. A craving is one such example. The next time you have a craving, celebrate! Your body is communicating something very important to you!
What are you really craving? Is it food or something more? Sometimes cravings indicate a mineral deficiency. Often cravings are due to a hormonal imbalance. Usually they are a sign of dehydration. Sometimes cravings signify that you have a longing for something much deeper. Perhaps you are lonely and long for love. Maybe you are wishing for something comforting. You might be wishing for excitement or adventure. Once you can make the connection between your craving and what you REALLY want, you can begin to find ways to satisfy your craving with people and experiences rather than food. The following is a guide to encourage you to dig deeper and make the connection between your cravings and what may really be going on for you.

Do you crave something sweet? You may really need some physical affection, a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend, or good cry.
Do you crave spicy food? You may be looking for adventure or an exhilerating experience!
Do you crave salt? Maybe you are seeking a deeper, richer flavor in your life or you are looking for a way to alleviate boredom.
Do you crave sour flavors? You are probably ready for something new in your life. Try something you have always wanted to do, but never had the courage to do.
Do you crave leafy green vegetables? Great! Your body is in a state of knowing what it needs to regain balance!

Addressing Cravings

The first step in alleviating cravings is to drink water. Hydrate yourself so that you have the energy to dig deeper within yourself to find out what you really want.
Eat balancing foods such as whole grains, beans, and vegetables. Sugar and meat create imbalances in some people.
Get support as you navigate your journey inward.
Be gentle with yourself. Procede slowly and deliberately and be gentle.

ARE YOU READY? THE MIRACLES ARE COMING!

2008-02-26T06:20:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for the miraculous? What is a miracle? What do you think miracles look like? Sometimes it seems like a miracle just to be alive and breathing. Sometimes miracles seem a lot bigger, like finally getting something you really want or having something that you have dreamt about for years arrive in your life.
Truly the miraculous occurs all around us if we just stop long enough to breathe and observe. Have you ever tracked the progress of a growing flower? The next time you walk through the woods, notice how the trees grow to reach the sunlight. I am amazed at how these miracles just happen. Flowers and trees do not work hard and strain to grow, they just do it. We should take a lesson from nature and allow ourselves to grow in beauty according to the laws of nature. Now THAT would be a miracle!

Healing Sanctuary and Retreat Center

2008-02-17T05:06:00.001-08:00

Promotional video to raise money for the Shamalada Healing Sanctuary in Bucks County, PA.

Watch Healing Sanctuary and Retreat Center in Faith Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

FIND YOUR JOY

2008-02-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

It is a little bit ironic that I am writing about joy. In the past I have had a tendency to approach life with a bit of seriousness. But lately, I am realizing how good it feels just to be light and have some fun. Really and truly, fun is more of an attitude than anything. Some people think you have to do something or go somewhere to have fun. But what I am discovering is that fun is in your heart. It is how you choose to view your life and the predicaments in which you may find yourself.

Of course, joy is not only just about the attitude you choose, it is also about the environments in which you choose to place yourself. While you may be tempted to blame your poor attitude on your circumstances, you always have choices. Recently I have been inspired by a friend. She is going through a lot of changes in her life. Some of her experiences are not pleasant. In fact, most people I know who are going through what she is now going through make themselves pretty miserable by casting blame or feeling guilt. She, however, is choosing to look at the bright side of her situation and find the positive aspects of these life changes. So, if you feel like you are stuck in certain life circumstances, take some responsibility and choose your response wisely.

ENJOY EXTREME HEALTH

2008-02-13T12:00:00.001-08:00

Sometimes forget the importance of self-care. We can enhance our well-being by taking ownership of our health by eating well and by taking care of our immune systems. The following tips are some of my favorite ways to enjoy extreme health:

Breathe: When you wake up in the morning, sit on the edge of your bed and take in nine deep breaths. Before you go to a holiday party, take a few moments to breathe.
Chew your food: You will be less likely to over-eat at a party or family get-together if you chew each bite with awareness of what is in your mouth. If decide to try more than one dessert on the buffet table, really chew it and experience all the flavors.
Stop eating when you are satisfied: The “finish everything on your plate” rule does not apply to holiday eating! Eating food with a higher nutrient content will fill you up quicker and provide sustained satiation. Nutrient dense foods include vegetables, whole grains, beans and some fruits. Eating food with empty calories will leave you wanting more and set you up for cravings and imbalanced blood sugar. Such foods include white pasta and breads, sugary foods, and sodas and juice. If you choose to eat empty calorie foods, eat them slowly and with awareness.
Eat more whole foods: Processed foods destroy your immune system and cause your digestive system to work extra hard. Whole foods, such as mentioned above enhance your immune system. If you start to feel sick, especially stay away from sugar and drink extra water. A common mistake is to drink orange juice for Vitamin C. Orange juice contains too much sugar and does not aid in boosting your immune system. If you want Vitamin C, eat the whole orange or some carrots or blueberries. Green tea is also a great source of Vitamin C.
Play outside: Your immune system loves the fresh air of being outside! Treadmills at the gym are great, but can never take the place of being in the sunshine and breathing in clean air. Your body needs the Vitamin D from the sun. Products enriched with Vitamin D do not contain the same version; your body can only assimilate the form of Vitamin D that comes from the sun, so get outside even if it is only for fifteen minutes!

This information provided is for education purposes only. It is not meant to treat or diagnose.

HEART HEALTHY FOODS

2008-02-13T11:54:00.000-08:00

There is a host of mis-information available about what is truly healthy for your heart. General rules of thumb to navigate the quagmire are to think about what your ancestors ate and follow suit. Eat organic to avoid the extra burden on your immune system that pesticides provide.

Beans: Beans are good for your circulation and are high in potassium which neutralizes sodium. (Sodium raises blood pressure.) Beans are low in sodium.

Butter: Selenium, Vitamins A & E are anti-oxidants found in butter which clean the blood to combat too many free radicals from processed oils. *Consume only if organic from free-ranging animals.

Fruit and Berries: Their phytochemicals strengthen blood vessels and they contain heart-strengthening anti-oxidants.

Vegetables: The darker the color, the higher the anti-oxidant content.

Whole Grains: Whole grains provide EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids).

Nuts & Seeds: Nuts and seeds are a good source of EFA’s.

Wild-caught Fish: Salmon and others provide EFA’s. Red Sock-eye salmon from Alaska is the least contaminated fish.

Eggs: Purchase eggs from free-ranging chickens to ensure EFA content.

*Avoid: Excessive animal protein and dairy especially if not from organic sources, trans fats and unstable polyunsaturated oils (oils extracted from vegetable sources).

HEART HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TIPS

Drink water: The typical recommendation is to drink half your body weight in ounces. Water flushes out harmful toxins and fat from your cells.

Move: Exercise outside.

Deal with your Emotions: The heart is a powerful center for your emotions- acknowledge them and get support to work through them.

Private Counseling- Is it For You?

2008-02-13T10:59:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU EATING YOUR FOOD OR IS YOUR FOOD EATING YOU?

I am in the business of guiding people to achieve higher levels of health by eating better foods and dealing with areas of their lifestyle that are out of balance. After achieving healing from a personal battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I know that it is possible to become healthier regardless of any diagnosis you may have.

My refreshing approach is different from a standard nutritionist because I am interested in eating quality foods and addressing anything in your life that holds you back from less than optimal health. Rather than counting calories, grams, and pounds, I teach my clients the value of whole foods and finding the right foods that work best in their bodies. My clients learn to add foods into their diet rather than take things away. This eliminates cravings and feelings of deprivation.

I use the concept of Primary foods (relationships, physical activity, career, and spirituality) to make the statement that sometimes the “stuff” going on in our lives is just as important, if not more important than the actual food (secondary food) that we eat. A healthy person looks at both and makes manageable changes in both areas to achieve higher levels of health.

My clients come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Some just want to learn how to eat healthier, and some have serious health issues that they want resolved. The one thing they all have in common is a desire to change their way of eating and living. {See MY PROGRAM page of my website for testimonials.}

Working with me does not promise a quick fix; rather our work together unfolds a manageable way to achieve the changes you want to make in your life and with your food. I provide unconditional support free of judgment.

Are you uncomfortable in your own skin? Are you tired and stressed? Do you wish you knew how to take better care of yourself? Are you ready to make some changes towards better health and a more fulfilled life?

COOLING FOODS

2008-02-13T10:53:00.001-08:00

Are you dealing with the heat? Are you looking for ways to stay cool? You have lots of options. Find a cold waterfall and stand under it. Go swimming. Move to a colder climate. Stand in front of a fan. Eat cooling foods.

Have you noticed that perhaps your body naturally desires more vegetables, fruit, and salads when the temperatures go up? That is because these foods have a cooling effect in your body. You have heard the expression, "cool as a cucumber" because cucumbers are a great cooling food.

How do you figure out which other foods have a cooling effect in your body? The following are a few rules of thumb:

RAW fruits and vegetables are cooling.
Hot spices in significant amounts are eventually cooling because they cause perspiration, which is cooling when it evaporates.
Sugar and salt are both cooling and warming. If eaten with cooling foods, they will intensify the effect.

Food that is cold in temperature does not necessarily mean it has a cooling effect in your body, although this may sometimes be the case.
The following is an abbreviated list of cooling foods: Watermelon, Citrus fruits, Summer squashes, Mung beans, Leafy vegetables, Sea vegetables, Brown rice, Sprouts, Sashimi, Lobster, Curry, Dill, Tamari, Parsley, and Hot peppers.
Steaming, Stir-frying, and Pickling are cooking techniques to use if you want a cooling effect.

*This is general information. It is not meant to treat any specific conditions. Each person will have their own Bio-Individual response. Listen to what your body says as you experiment with food.

Some of this information came from "Food and Healing" by Annemarie Colbin

ARE YOU ADDICTED TO SUGAR?

2008-02-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

Sugar is one of the most addictive substances known to man. Even people that do not have obvious addictions such as cigarettes or alcohol often struggle with sugar.
What is it about sugar that lures us in? What is it about something sweet melting in our mouths that gives us such tremendous, yet only temporary pleasure?
Sugar nourishes on a deeper level than we might want to admit. Sugar gives us something when we are depressed, happy, or angry. It buffers any emotion when we are too afraid to dig deeper within ourselves.

Are you ready to release your struggle with sugar once and for all? What will it take for you to find what you need out of your life instead of relying on a sweet substance for temporary satisfaction?

You and I both know that sugar can never give you the fulfillment you are truly seeking. Are you ready to discover what will deeply nourish your life?

Make your time in the Kitchen Efficient

2007-12-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Do you think you do not have enough time to cook healthy? All it takes is a little time to prepare and you can have meals almost ready for an entire week. As long as you have a freezer and a refrigerator, you can prepare meals for up to a week at a time.
Here is how it works.

Set up your kitchen. Know where everything is and make it convenient to find and use.
Pick a day of the week for preparation.
If you use recipes, pick out a few for the week.
Make a shopping list as you think of things throughout the week.
Purchase your ingredients.
It is best to start cooking soon after you go shopping, but if you need to break it up into two days, at least you are getting it done in a way that works for you.
Cooking day! Take a morning or afternoon and dedicate it to being in the kitchen. Make a soup for the week and freeze some. Make beans and/or whole grains and scoop them out as needed as you go throughout your week. Use beans/grains in soups, salads, stir-fries or just eat them plain with your favorite condiment. Bake some root vegetables. Blanch and freeze vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and kale for quick use later.

The key is to plan ahead. Although it may not seem like it at first, in the end, you save time and money and most of all your health!

Eating Organic on a Budget

2007-12-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

If you compare prices while shopping, you might thing that transitioning to eating organic will break your budget. If this is you, please read the following tips for transitioning to eating organic food.
1. Eat more beans and whole grains and buy them in bulk. Eating organic beans is much cheaper than buying packaged TV dinners and meat. Beans and whole grains will keep you satiated and give you sustained energy. Processed food is devoid of nutrition and leaves you unsatisfied and hungry even though your belly may be full. (If you develop flatulence from eating beans, start with smaller beans such as lentils, mung, and aduki beans. Soak them overnight before cooking and add sea salt after cooking rather than during cooking.)
2. Join a CSA, a co-op, or buy produce from a local farmer. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Find a CSA or local farmer near you on www.eatwellguide.org
3. Prioritize buying the most highly contaminated fruit and vegetables organic and the buy conventional produce for the least contaminated fruit and vegetables. See a full list here: http://www.foodnews.org/index.php
4. Remember that you vote with your dollar. If you spend 50 cents more to purchase organic food, it is 50 cents well spent. Do your part to create a demand for high quality food and the supply will follow. Your best bet for finding quality food is from an organic or local farm. Wal-mart organics is not trustworthy.
Personally, my food bill is much lower than many people I know who do not eat organic. I have done this by joining a CSA and eating less packaged food and less animal protein. I am the healthiest I have ever been. The extra effort you spend on finding quality food sources and time in your kitchen is worth it. Your body will thank you and respond with exuberant health!

Do You Really Want it? -Tools for Change

2007-12-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

How much do you really want it? I mean, how much do you really really want to change yourself so that you can have an amazing life? First, you need to know what you want out of life. Once you know what you desire for your life, it is time to take a sort of inventory of yourself. This means really looking at yourself. What are your strengths? What are the areas in which you will benefit from growth and self-development? (I do not believe in weaknesses, just potential areas for growth.) The more you are willing to grow, the easier making changes becomes.
Looking at oneself is not an easy feat. When you are truly willing to look within and see what makes up the wholeness of you, you will find two basic things. You will find your "darkness" and you will find your Light. As a whole human being, you have dark side, which if you have not yet seen within yourself, can be a scary thing to truly see and acknowledge. Just know that there is nothing about which to be scared. It is part of being human. What most people truly fear is their Light. Your Light illuminates your darkness (your cobwebs and the stuff you want to clean up) and reveals your purpose. It brings a responsibility to your life. Now that you know your purpose, you have a motivation and responsibility to change yourself so that you can fulfill your purpose. This brings us full circle.
It is a miserable thing to remain stagnant and not change yourself. Illness and disease develop. You might become an emotional wreck. It is imperative to your health to change yourself and develop yourself. I am assuming if you are still reading this that you truly want to change yourself. So hopefully you will never get to the miserable stagnant piece. Read carefully. Here are some tools that you can use right away so that you can make your desired changes. Do not be fooled by their seeming simplicity. They may seem simple, but implementing them will change your world.
1. The first tool for change is to take inventory of your life. What is working well and where do you want to make changes? Make a literal list of the areas in your life that are working well. Make a second list of the things that you are committed to changing.
2. Get support. Who are the people in your life that want to see you succeed? Let them know you want their blessing and support for the changes you want to make. If you have no one in your life like this, it is time to open yourself to meeting new people so that you can have the support you need to move forward.
3. Eat well. Eat whole foods that work well in your body. Eat slowly and chew your food.
4. Exercise. Move your body in ways that inspire and excite you. Physical movement gives your energy and clarity for making changes.
5. Prioritize. Focus on the most important changes you want to make and develop action steps to make your life happen.
6. Finally, appreciate yourself. Give yourself gratitude for having the desire and commitment to changing your life for the better. When you change yourself for the better, the impact it has on the world is immeasurable. You may never know the far-reaching benefits of the blessing you will be to others when you improve yourself.
Claim the responsibility to be a Light in this world. You owe it to yourself to be happy and to have an amazing life.

What is holding you back?

2007-10-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

What is holding you back? For most of us, it boils down to fear. We are afraid of something. Some of us are afraid of failure. Some of us are afraid of success. I know it sounds bizarre, but the truth does not always make immediate sense. Why would anyone be afraid of success? The absurd reality is that when we are doing what we came to do here in this world, when success is at the doorstep we have come to a point of reckoning. We will be brave enough to fully accept our mission? Will we truly embrace all aspects of ourselves and what we have to offer? You have much more to offer than you think you do. The truth is that we are not scared of what we lack, but we fear how much power we hold as human beings.
Who are you? What are you about? Do you know why you are here on this earth? Do you know why you chose this existence? If you have trouble answering these questions, I encourage you to embark on a conscious journey. Seek your path. Seek your truth. Seek support in finding yourself. If you have clear answers to these questions, congratulations! The question is now, "What are you going to do with this knowledge?" Are you helping those whom you came to help? Are you continually growing and developing yourself? Again I ask, "What is holding you back?" You are a truly amazing person. You have so much to offer. The way you contribute to society is unique and perfect. Despite the way you were raised or your religious beliefs or the rules that have been imposed upon you, there is no one right way to express your talents. Find your way. Show confidence in what you have to offer and you will be respected rather than judged. Simply stated, be YOU. You are the keeper of your truth. The world needs you to let go of and move past whatever holds you back.

The TRUTH about FOOD

2007-10-27T05:07:00.001-07:00

What’s your truth? In the nutrition world, truth is subjective. Some people like to look at numbers and say that we need so many grams of protein per day or that one food is better because it has fewer calories. Numbers are everywhere- we look at the scale, grams of fat, calories per serving, and on and on. What do numbers tell us about how the food is nourishing us? Nothing! So much information and misinformation is out there, that most of us have become quite confused about what to eat! The truth is that there is no ONE WAY of eating that works for everyone. To find your truth, you must become more in touch with your body and food. How is this done?

Eat more organic food. The toxins in our food supply tend to muddle our brains. Pesticides and other toxins can cause “fuzzy thinking”, which takes us away from being in tune with how our body responds to food. For example, if you have a food sensitivity or allergy, how do you know if your allergy is truly from the food or from a pesticide or worse yet because you are allergic to the food due to genetic modification? (Watch “The Future of Food” for more on genetic modification.) Eating pure foods allow us to be more in tune with how our body responds to them.

Eat simply and eat more whole foods. Processed foods cause us to be scattered and unclear in our thinking and way of being. Cooking simply is easy- vegetables do not take long to prepare! The more complex our food, the more complex we become. By the same token, simple foods lead to simple thoughts and quieter minds.

Eat quietly. When you eat, spend time with your food. Instead of watching TV or multi-tasking when you eat, really focus on chewing and experiencing your food. You will start to taste the flavors and experience the textures in new and vibrant ways when you pay attention to what you eat! Paying attention is one of the first steps in discovering your truth about what food feels right in your body.

Eat with gratitude. Take time to thank the heavens and earth for supplying you with nourishment. When you eat with a full heart, your spirit and physical body receive more nourishment. You become clearer about what foods work well in your body.

Finding your truth with food is a journey. Enjoy the process of self-discovery and find someone who can guide you while you search for your truth with food. We all need mentors and guides when it comes to meeting our spiritual and emotional growth needs. The same holds true for our development with food and finding what works best for us.

In closing, rather than reading a myriad of books on nutrition, you can experiment with your body and food. Try some or all of the four suggestions above. Tune into your body’s responses and take notes. Mind knowledge can become confusing when it comes to nutrition. Body knowledge is much more empowering and helps you to find your own truth about food.

Finding a Quality Holistic Nutrition Practitioner

2007-10-27T05:06:00.001-07:00

The field of nutrition is a quagmire. Contradictions abound. One source of information tells you that you need to consume all raw foods for the best health, while another extols the benefits of animal protein. How are you, the consumer expected to navigate through this maze of contradictions?

Do you know what foods work best for you? It is always helpful to have a guide. There are many practitioners claiming to have the answers for every ill. When you are choosing a practitioner, it is important to weigh your options and choose the person with whom you feel the most comfortable. If someone is trying to sell you a product… beware! Many practitioners who deal with nutrition only work with supplements. Assertions that they have the best supplement regime for your needs is a red flag. You want more than a pill. You want someone who can educate you about real food. (*Supplements can be useful in your nutrition plan, but you also need to address the foods you eat.) Below you will find my top five tips to finding someone who can guide you with your food choices.

Find someone who has a solid education and personal experience. Your guide should know how to do research on themselves with food. They should also be able to provide you with new information and new perspectives about food. Even if you have a degree in nutrition, you want your guide to be up on the latest research and be able to guide you to new insights about your body and food. Although a solid education is important, it is not the only thing that makes a practitioner reputable. They should be able to provide you with testimonials from previous clients. They should have a depth of knowledge and well-rounded perspective that surpasses something you could read in a book. (Otherwise, you could just read the book!)

Search for a guide that looks healthy. This is important. If you are getting your information from someone with dark circles under their eyes, you may want to reconsider their advice. Health comes from the inside-out. I understand that no practitioner is perfect; however, if your guide is suffering from a health condition, you may want to broaden your horizons to find someone whose appearance suggests that they know what they are doing. You want to work with someone who knows how to get themselves well and who knows how to maintain their health.

Put your trust in someone that walks their talk. Piggy-backing off number two… Look for a practitioner who takes their own advice. Find someone who understands the importance of taking care of themselves and eating well. If they aren’t eating well and caring for themselves, how will they teach you to do it? Your practitioner of choice should be competent to take care of their own health so that they can guide you with yours.

Find someone with whom you can share openly. Are you comfortable with this person? The food you eat creates who you are. It is intimately intertwined with every aspect of your life. You want to feel comfortable sharing intimate details of your life with this person so that they can help you access deeper healing in your life and with your food. A good practitioner will listen to what you have to say first before jumping into “prescription mode” or a outlining a plan. They should know some things about you and your life so they can steer you in the right direction for the implementation of your plan.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, look for a GUIDE that can help you form your personalized plan. You are looking for a facilitator to discover your deeper potential. You can get advice from a book. You can research on your own via the internet. You can get a pill from a doctor. To achieve deeper healing within yourself, you want to find someone who can guide you to look within yourself. Take responsibility in developing your plan with your guide. With responsibility comes empowerment. The food that works for your neighbor may not be the food that works best in YOUR body. Seek out guidance from someone who can help you access your body’s wisdom. Each practitioner may have their own unique methods, but the message is to find someone who can help you get to your core issues around food and empower you to make the changes you want to make in your life.

Top five guidelines to consuming quality food:

Buy organic whenever possible.

Consume whole foods rather than processed and packaged foods. (Whole grains versus a bagel, whole tomatoes versus sauce from a can, eat the orange rather than drinking only the juice)

Buy from a local farm- it is fresher and it helps to preserve the earth.

Pay attention to your emotions and your body’s response after eating.

Savor and enjoy each delightful bite!

FOOD –A QUICK FIX TO HEALTH

2007-10-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Now that I have your attention… sorry, there is no quick fix to achieving optimal health. Attaining health is a deliberate journey, and consuming healthy food is a tool in moving forward in this journey. Where are you in your food journey? Do you provide McDonald’s with a consistent stream of income? Have you been experimenting with diets and ways of eating? Do you eat only organic, locally produced food? It does not matter where you are in your journey, the important concept to apply here is to continue moving forward. Do you feel you have discovered the best diet or way of eating for your body? Great! Now change! We need to continually make changes in our food. Our bodies change over time. They change with the seasons. They change as our stress levels change. They change as our fitness levels change. How much sense does it make to eat the same foods all the time in the midst of so much change? Our food habits must adapt in order to provide balance while we experience change.

There are three ways of eating: using a maintenance diet, a therapeutic diet, or an experimental diet. For some, macrobiotics is a maintenance diet, while for others it may be experimental or therapeutic. If a way of eating is sustainable over time with reasonable variations, it may considered maintenance. Therapeutic diets are those that are used for specific reasons for a limited amount of time. The raw foods diet is therapeutic for many. Experimental diets are used in your journey when you want to try something new and investigate the impact on your body. Juicing may be experimental. Any way of eating can be experimental, therapeutic or maintenance depending upon your rationale. I discuss these concepts as a gauge to measure where you are on your food journey.

There are no particular ways of eating that serve as a quick-fix for your health. Although you may experience substantial and dramatic results by juicing or implementing a particular diet, there is always a deeper level to health. That deeper level involves your lifestyle- your physical wellness, your mental/emotional well-being, and your spirit/soul body. Looking at these aspects of your being and digging deeper within yourself for true healing require patience. Being gentle with yourself is key as you experiment with changing your food and your health. Your relationship with food is the longest relationship you will ever have with anything. It is so important to learn how to make it a relationship that is nourishing for you. If your journey with food is relaxed and fun, you will be much healthier as a result. Impatience with yourself breeds stress. Stress breeds imbalance. Imbalance breeds disease.

How does one learn patience for the food journey?

1) Practice. Practice making one change at a time. Practice loving your body in ways other than with food. Have fun. Try exotic foods. Be adventurous and prepare a meal without a recipe! If a food does not work well in your body, make a note of it and try something else.

2) Get support. Gather support from people who will be patient with you and with the changes you are making. Who is in your life that can give you the support you need to stay committed to your journey? If this support is lacking, who will you ask to support you? You are not alone. Other people are working to improve their health with food and most likely want to be connected with you.

3) Know that you are in it for the long haul. Sustainable change does not usually happen overnight. You may have spurts of growth and times of being out of focus. This is totally normal. The important thing is to be committed to moving forward in your food journey so that when those growth spurts slow down you know that you are still moving forward if only in a small way. You only need to move one step at a time.

Is there such a thing as a quick fix for your health? I believe true healing requires patience with yourself and the process. Healthy food will help you to be more nourished on your journey to health.

SELF-CARE, PASSIONS, AND BREAD

2007-10-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

“I am the Bread of Life” ~John 6:48

What is your bread? What are you passionate about? What lights your fire? What drives you? What nourishes and sustains you? Is it food? Is it your yoga practice? Is it simply your love of life?

“Man does not live by bread alone” ~Matthew 4:4

Do you have more than one avenue to recharge? If you put all your energy and passion into one thing, do you have more than one way to rebuild your energy? What you put out in life can also be what fuels you. In other words, to be in complete alignment, the things you are passionate about should also be the things that give energy back to you. Your work, your relationships, your food, and your yoga practice should all be areas where you gain a return on your investment. If you are constantly giving out without receiving, you will eventually end up drained. It is helpful to have more than one option for re-fueling.

While I am fueled by food that is nourishing for me, I am also fueled by my work, spending time in nature, meditation, and receiving acupuncture treatments. I know that to maintain balance I need multiple avenues and ways to recharge. Although I am putting time and energy into each thing, I am choosing to invest in a focused way in those things that give me back the most return. Receiving a large return for my investments is not about greed. It is about doing my work on this earth for the benefit of all. What are you choosing? Where are you investing your time and energy?

“Milk and honey are under your tongue” ~Song of Songs 4:11

What foods are you passionate about? What foods are fun for you? Which ones give you energy? Personally, this changes with the seasons and the weather. For example, I found myself becoming ecstatic about leafy green vegetables this spring. At the time of this writing, tomatoes from Pennypack Farm in Horsham are giving me a thrill! I just can’t compare the empty taste of a grocery store tomato (that has been gassed to ripen it), to the full, rich taste of a tomato straight from the vine to my mouth. I’m looking forward to cooler weather where I imagine more beans, root vegetables, and soups in my diet.

I am passionate about more than food, however. I am excited about taking exceptionally good care of myself. I nourish my spirit more than once a day. I am active and physically fit. I love my career. I have amazing friends in my circle. All of these avenues feed and energize me. What energizes you? I have a CHALLENGE for you. How many different ways can you find to take care of yourself? How many avenues of recharging can you build into your life? Just as there are many kinds and flavors of bread, so there are many ways to administer self-care. Where do you get your metaphorical bread? What is your “bread of life?”

“What is man that you care for him?” ~Psa1m 144:3

As human beings we are meant to consume nourishing foods. We are meant to take care of ourselves. We are meant to be connected to nature, our food, and to each other. So, while food is part of sustaining our beings, there is a much bigger picture. As you care for yourself you are then equipped to care for others. You can only love someone else as much as you love yourself. This is why self-care and eating well are so critical. Human beings are a small part of the picture, but a very important part. I encourage you to find the “bread” of your life. Ignite passion and energy in WHO you are. You are here for an important reason, so fan the flame and shine your Light!

I have reiterated the same thing in several ways. The bottom line is self-care and nourishment. When you are looking at food, choose the best quality possible. When you are looking at your job, find something that is in alignment with your purpose in this world. When you are investing in relationships, choose those people that you know you can help and that can support you. When you connect with God, find ways that give you the strongest and deepest connection. When you nourish yourself, find as many ways as possible to love and care for yourself. You ARE worth it, and your life IS important.

Blessings, Susie

Integrate your Nutrition Education

2007-10-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

How many times do we read about a miracle food or supplement that promises to give us better eyesight, lower our blood pressure, or reduce our cholesterol? Sometimes these foods or supplements do help some people. Sometimes it is just marketing buzz. How do you discern what will help you become a whole person? And, is it really only about the food? What about other forms of nourishment which address more than just our body? We need to be nourished on many different levels. Our spiritual selves need a healthy dose of “nutrition” just as much as our mental, emotional, and physical selves. In order to integrate all forms of nutrition, you must learn to nourish yourself on all of these levels.

Whole-istic Eating

Feeding your physical body is imperative to surviving and thriving in your life. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. Experiment with a variety of foods and listen to your body’s response so that you can figure out what works for you. Typical problem foods are sugar, caffeine, dairy, and wheat gluten. Foods that most people thrive on are WHOLE FOODS such as vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Fruits are generally tolerable unless you have unstable blood sugar conditions. Try replacing cereal and milk with a breakfast of whole grains. Take cooking classes to learn how to prepare new foods. Go food shopping with a friend to add excitement to your experimentation. Integrate what you hear and read by trying it on yourself if appropriate. Maybe bananas are not what your body needs right now. Maybe you need more water or more vegetables. The key is to try it on yourself and see how your body feels. Are you more or less energetic after certain foods? Are you able to think more clearly after a week of increasing your vegetable intake and decreasing refined flour and sugar?

Mental Nutrition

What helps you to clear your mind? For most people sitting in silence only serves to increase the volume of our thoughts. Movement can be helpful because as you move, your work out all the thinking that is happening. I encourage you to find the stillness in your mind. We all have that place of silence and peace. The hardest part, until you become proficient, is accessing that still quiet place. If you find yourself doing a lot of thinking and you just cannot figure out how to quiet the voices, change what the voices say. Your way of thinking is part of creating a healthy you or an unhealthy you. If you cannot quiet the voices, then it will help to re-program your thoughts. As soon as you notice a disturbing thought creeping in, flip your “thought switch”. In other words, think about something that brings you joy or create a positive scenario in your mind instead of thinking about the worst case scenario. I am not telling you to neglect your responsibilities or avoid your duties, but I am saying you can change your perception about what is happening in your life. Mental health is key in being a whole person.

Emotional Nutrition

What makes you feel good? As long as it does not involve harming yourself or others, DO IT! Developing emotional stability involves becoming in touch with all of your emotions. If you feel joy, express it by passing it onto others or integrating it into your work. If you feel despair, get some support and dig a little deeper to get to the core so that you can let it go and move on in your healing. When you feel angry, instead of stuffing it down as many of us have been taught, find a healthy outlet. An intense workout or a phone call to a friend may suffice. Like food, find what works for you. Experiment with healthy ways of expressing and releasing your emotions. You are human. You are supposed to have a wide range of emotions. It is natural and normal to feel them and express them. I repeat, as long as you are not hurting yourself or others, please express them. People want to see the real you! Do more things for yourself that bring you pleasure. Your friends will want to be around you when you feed your emotional body with pleasure and joy.

Spiritual Nutrition

This may well be my favorite layer of my wholeness. Integrating more ways to connect to Spirit will go a long way in nourishing all of your other layers. Make an extra effort to seek Divine guidance in your life. Whether you find this through attending church, meditation, or spending time in nature, find YOUR way. Living as someone who is connected to God means that you follow your heart in all that you say and do. In the most complete sense, you are who you say you are. You live your true passions. You are free to be the person that you know you are.

You- a Whole Person

Work on yourself. Work on each layer. Educate yourself and then practice integrating new concepts into your life to develop your growth and healing. Experiment gently with your body, mind, emotions, and spirit. This is your life. You deserve wholeness.

Cultivate Gratitude: Create Your Healthy Life!

2007-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

What are you putting on the table this year as you celebrate the holidays? Whatever it is, prepare it with gratitude. Eat it with gratitude. Digest it with gratitude. Giving thanks for your food is more than just saying an obligatory prayer. It is more than giving forth a blessing. Giving thanks in its truest sense is a way of living. Living in gratitude lays the foundation for truly getting the most nourishment out of your food and your life.

When it comes to food, what are you thankful for? Write down a list of at least three things you love about your food. Maybe you are happy you know how to cook. Perhaps you just discovered a local place where you can get a free-range turkey for Thanksgiving. Maybe your discerning palate appreciates eating slowly as you taste all the rich flavors of the season. Most of us do not take the time or even realize the importance of sending gratitude to ourselves. Therefore, for an even bigger challenge, write down a list of things you love about yourself as an eater. For example, you may be grateful that you stop eating when you are satisfied. Or perhaps you congratulate yourself for choosing healthful foods to put in your body. There is always something amazing to find within yourself to appreciate. Continue to add things to your lists of gratitude. When you appreciate your food and yourself as an eater, you will begin to appreciate other aspects of yourself and your life.

Try this simple exercise to cultivate your gratitude. Choose a meal for which you have plenty of time to eat in a relaxed fashion. Every time you take a bite, think of something for which you can give thanks as you chew. To inspire your attitude of gratitude, think about the person that grew your food. Imagine the hard work they put into cultivating the soil. If you are eating something out of a package, send thoughts of appreciation to the person who packaged the food. Other ideas are to thank your digestive system for working. Place your hand over the area where your stomach is (on the left under your bottom ribs) and send gratitude to your stomach for its role in digesting your food. Thank your jaw for working well so that you can chew your food.

Increase your feelings and thoughts of gratitude beyond your food. What is working well in your life? Give thanks for the little stuff! Begin to pay attention to the little things that are going well for you in your life and the little things will turn into bigger things. Finding joy in the small stuff keeps you focused on gratitude. Focusing on joy and gratitude enables the manifestation of a life you are excited to live! Write your gratitude. As you discover all the little things for which you are grateful, write them down to cement them in your heart.

As always, when you are eating healthy foods in a peaceful manner, you will gain clarity… clarity about what you have in your life for which to give thanks and clarity about your life in general. The cleaner your foods (organic and full of nutrients), the better your body and mind will work. Your emotions will be more balanced. If your body does not have process toxins in the form of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, it will be free to create health rather than recovering from a stress response caused by toxins. The concept is simple. Living it by incorporating pure foods is your mission as you are creating a life full of gratitude.

Here is a quick review for cultivating gratitude in your life.

Give thanks for your food.
Write down a list of what you are grateful for about your food.
Write down what you are grateful for in yourself as an eater.
Give thanks with each bite.
Send gratitude to your body for digesting your food.
Send gratitude to the person who prepared/packaged your food. (It is ok to send it to yourself!)
Pay attention to the little things that are working well and write them down.
Incorporate more pure, clean foods into your lifestyle.
Enjoy the process and thank yourself for creating a life full of gratitude!

You are worthy of having a heart full of thanksgiving and joy. Cultivate gratitude every day in the ways that make sense to you and marvel at the beautiful person that is you!

FOOD: YOUR NEXT HEALTHY HOBBY

2007-10-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

I am a food junkie. This does not mean I eat junk food. This means I am crazy about all things regarding healthy food! Food intrigues me. I find joy and pleasure in experiencing my food. I am fascinating by the growing and preparation processes. I love to study nutrition. Mostly I like to experiment with food and my body. Does the food I eat increase or decrease my energy? Does it improve or disrupt my digestion? I like to do what works for my body regardless of what nutrition studies show. Food is indeed one of my favorite hobbies. Below you will find some suggestions if you would like to join me in starting a hobby with food!

GARDEN

If you do not have enough land to grow a small garden, check out www.earthbox.com. You can grow your own vegetables or fruit out of a box! There are many new options such as hydroponics growing systems (using only water) or systems that use air and light, but I recommend using good old-fashioned dirt. That is where the minerals are. If your soil is of poor quality, consider using a safe seaweed fertilizer. Seaweed adds minerals back into the soil. Gardening is a wonderful project if you want your kids or grandchildren to see where food really comes from. Plus, you get a chance to spend time with nature and feel the earth up close and personal!

VOLUNTEER TO WORK ON FARM

If the above option does not work for you, find a local farm that grows produce and volunteer an hour or two of your time. If you do a good job, maybe you will get a chance to taste test some of the food they grow! Being in the energy of growing and freshly picked food is an experience unlike any other. If you have never had the opportunity to try a raspberry newly plucked from the prickers, it is a must-try! Cherry tomatoes straight from the vine are better than candy. Food is fun when it is fresh!

PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD

Literally, play with your food. Children especially love this. Slice an apple, spread peanut butter on top and decorate with raisins for eyes, shredded coconut for hair, sunflower seeds for a smile… Be creative! Use toothpicks to add appendages to carrots then decorate the toothpicks with raisins or another dried fruit or even a vegetable.

Eat a meal with your fingers

If you are concerned about your children learning an unacceptable social habit, frame the meal as a cultural experience. People in India eat with their hands all the time. Eating with your fingers connects your body with your food in a more intimate way.

Feed your partner

Whether it’s a friend or lover, feeding someone else and being fed by someone else is a unique experience. You never know what will show up on the fork now that someone else has control! Eat with your eyes closed for even more mystique.

COOK WITH A FRIEND

Preparing food with a friend adds loving energy to your food. Be sure to listen to your favorite music and laugh a lot as you cook to infuse your food with good vibrations. Get your bare hands involved- instead of using a utensil to mix or stir ingredients, use your hands. As with most things in life, food is more fun when you do it with someone else.

EAT THE FOOD YOU ENJOY

Make food your friend. Rather than eating only what you think you should, eat what you like. I am not saying to pick up poor eating habits. I am saying that it is important to enjoy the healthy foods that you choose for your body. If a magazine article conveys that kiwi are the best thing for you, but you don’t enjoy kiwi, then don’t eat them! There are so many healthy options out there. Try a new one each week, so that you can discover what you enjoy!

LIVE DANGEROUSLY AT THE GROCERY STORE

Following up on the previous paragraph, be adventurous when you shop. If you are already somewhat of a food connoisseur, expand your horizons by finding an international foods store and try something new. If you are used to the same fruits and vegetables, each time you shop, try one new fruit or vegetable. Variety is fun- be brave!

CULTURE YOUR FOOD

I am not talking about training your food to enter high class society. I am speaking of fermentation or culturing your food. Cultured foods have higher enzyme content, and for most people (without complicated digestive issues) are an excellent addition to your diet as they aid in digestion. Sally Fallon’s book, “Nourishing Traditions” is a great resource for how to culture or ferment foods.

Is food simply fuel for you or is a fun and exciting hobby? How do you transition from just eating out of necessity or to really making food fun in your life? I have outlined several ideas from which to choose. Pick one that works for you!

Feed your spirit

2007-10-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

Take a journey with me. Imagine you are a kernel of wheat. Depending on a variety of factors, the possibilities of what you will become are virtually endless. For example, if you were grown by a kind, loving farmer who tended to you carefully, watered you with pure, clean water and was happy to be a farmer, you will be a happy kernel of wheat with vibrant energy. On the other hand, if you were genetically modified for mass production and profit so that you could be ground into flour, bleached and enriched and made into crackers with partially hydrogenated oils, you will be one unhappy “kernel” of wheat with little to no nutritional value.

Which kernel of wheat would you rather be? Which kernel of wheat would you rather eat? Growing conditions and the energy put into growing your food in part determines the spirituality of the food you are eating. The spirituality and quality of your food in part determines how your spirit is nourished. Look a little deeper with me.

The first kernel of wheat has vibrant energy because the person growing it put his loving energy into it. The soil quality was rich and organic. The water was from a mountain-fed spring, containing many minerals and nutrients. The second kernel of wheat was grown from a genetically modified seed so that it could be mass produced in poor growing conditions to be sold for the ultimate profit. The soil was filled with pesticides and fertilizers (a.k.a. chemicals). The water was probably recycled and chlorinated. The seed was not planted and tended by human hands, but rather by machines using petrochemicals as fuel. The fumes from that fuel settled into the dirt and therefore became part of the plant. Don’t tell me that the bleaching of the flour cleansed the wheat from all this contamination. In fact the bleaching process added more contaminants and chemicals. In addition the processing of this poor kernel of wheat destroyed the nutrients and denatured the proteins to such an extent that the “powers that be” decided it needed to be enriched with vitamins and nutrients (no longer in their whole food form) so that your body perhaps gains some nutrition by eating it. In actuality your body no longer recognizes this “kernel” of wheat as a food substance and instead recognizes it as a toxic substance. Your body is highly intelligent. Take a moment to acknowledge this now. After this substance (bleached, enriched flour) is formed it is then combined with other harmful substances such as partially hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup to form packaged foods meant to last a long time on the shelves of the grocery store. Further, the workers at the packaging plant are probably not happy to be working there, as they are working in artificially lit conditions with little pay.

Do you see how the spirit of this poor kernel of wheat has been leached away? Do you see how your spirit can become deadened by eating deadened food? The food you eat influences your state of health- spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. What foods will you choose to enhance your spiritual being?

The above scenarios are the best and the worst of what can happen. Have you decided which life you want for yourself? Most likely you will find that your food choices fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. As you choose your food, use conscious awareness to the best of your ability. Consider where the food was grown. How far has it traveled to get to your dinner table? What were the growing conditions? Do you know the people who grew it? If you eat animal protein, what kind of food were they fed? Were they packed together in factory farms without sunlight and with lots of antibiotics and hormones or were they free-ranging in the sunlight eating grass? You have the power to choose. You are intelligent to make the right choices for your body. Eat your food. You do not have to let it eat you.

I am so grateful to have a local farm where I can get fresh, pure vegetables. My food choices extend far beyond the farm, however. If I eat a packaged food, I want to know the ingredients. Are the foods still in whole food form or have they been pushed through an extruder with heat and pressure to form a cereal flake? How has my olive oil or butter been processed? As a Holistic Health Counselor, I practice extreme self-care. Making the food choices that are best for my body is a powerful way for me to feed my spirit.

ARE YOU IN LOVE…With Your Food?

2007-10-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

What kind of relationship do you have with your food? Is it a love/hate relationship? Is it an obsessive/compulsive relationship? Is it a relationship of unmet expectations and confusion? If you are fortunate, it is a relationship of nourishment, satisfaction, and contentment.

What would it mean to you if you really were in love with your food? For me it means that I love myself, therefore I care about what goes into my body. Loving myself means that I choose my food carefully. Because I know that I literally become what I eat, I only eat food that I love! When I buy or prepare food for myself, I only choose foods that I like and that work well in my body.

The following are a few tips for falling in love with your food:

Re-connect with your body. In order to know if your body loves a food, you have to pay attention to your body’s response. You may love the taste of brownies, but does refined flour and sugar work well in your body? Your gut is where you digest your food and is the center of your intuition. Pay attention to what your gut is telling you, both on a physical level and an intuitive level!
Eat the foods you enjoy and see how you feel after eating them. You may have heard that broccoli is good for you, but do you really enjoy eating it? You may think that you enjoy donuts and coffee, but do they truly make you feel good in your mind, body, and spirit?
Try something new. Try something exotic like a fresh lychee nut or durian fruit (available at international food stores). Be adventurous and daring. Have you ever had okra? Maybe today is the day!
Pay attention to the sensory aspects of your food. Consume fruits and vegetables with bright colors such blueberries, pomegranates, red beets, or purple cauliflower. (Purchase local and/or organic to avoid added dyes that may not be on the label.) Try new textures found in sprouted grain bread or an avocado. Before you put food in your mouth, inhale its aroma.
Make a conscious effort to connect with your food. Consider where it came from. Who grew it? Were they nourished, satisfied, and content? Support a local farmer and get to know him or her. Being connected to your food means being connected to its source, which ultimately brings you back to connecting to yourself, because the same energy that grows our food is the same energy that grows us.
Express gratitude. Whatever you choose to put in your body, give thanks for the nourishment. If you begrudgingly eat your healthy food, how much love are you really showing yourself? Eat with a thankful heart and you will begin to love the food you are eating.

If after trying the tips above, you still have not fallen in love with your food, then it is an opportunity for you dig deeper. Instead of searching for answers outside of yourself, look for the answers inside. Do you love yourself? Do you love your job? Are you in love with the people in your life? The answers may not come immediately. They will come when you are truly ready to see them and face yourself. It is not always easy to face the truth of what is inside, but when you start to embrace all of yourself (including your eating habits) falling in love with your food becomes innate to your way of being.

Each day you are faced with choices about how to live your life. If your life is not working, consider where you want to start making better choices to add love into your life. Maybe you want to add another healthy food in to your lifestyle. Maybe you want to find a friend who really understands who you are and supports you 100%. Perhaps you want to do something just for you… something you really love.

FINDING PEACE WITH YOUR FOOD

2007-10-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Peace is found in your gut. You are created from the inside-out. What better way to achieve inner peace than by eating peaceful food? What IS peaceful food? I do not promote any one way of eating because I know that the food that is peaceful in your body may cause distress in another body. What I do promote is eating pure foods. Eating uncontaminated foods without pesticides, genetic modification, anti-biotics and hormones will quicken the vibration of your cells and enhance your ability to still your mind to achieve inner peace. When your body can put its energy towards building your body rather than expending energy to detoxify, you will be well on your way to finding peace within your gut and your life. Your digestive system has its own brain. If the brain in your gut is calm, it will probably correlate to a calm mind.

Peaceful foods may be different for different people. Bio-individuality says that eating grains may be a peaceful way of eating for some people but not for others. For example, whole grains can be peace-promoting because they are calming for the nervous system due to their Vitamin B content. However, if your digestive system is not equipped to digest grain, this can be very disruptive and not a peaceful experience for your gut. If you experience bloating, flatulence, brain fog (unclear thinking), acne, and other symptoms, this may be an indication that your body has difficulty digesting grains. (These symptoms may also indicate other issues and have nothing to do with grain or flour consumption.) Even organic whole grains may be difficult for your body to digest. Soaking your grains overnight before cooking can be very helpful to neutralize the phytic acid in order to make them easier to digest. Eating gluten free grains such as quinoa, amaranth, millet, and rice may also be a better option for you.

If you find that your body needs animal protein, peaceful forms are found in animals that have been eating organic grass while free-ranging in the sunlight. Sunlight is important for Vitamin D, which is essential for your body. (Vitamin D that has been added to dairy products is not in the same form as the Vitamin D found naturally in animal protein, and is therefore harmful rather than helpful.) Free-ranging is important because factory-farmed animals raised in tight spaces and are breathing toxic air and often eating each other’s excrement or other toxic “nonfoods”. Does this seem peaceful to you? Vitamin B12 is also found in animal protein, and is a peace-promoting vitamin because it is essential for nervous system function as it maintains healthy nerve cells.

If you find that you do well with protein from vegetables, the best vegetables to promote peace in your gut are those that are easy for you to digest. For some people, eating raw vegetables is great because all the enzymes are present for digestion. For others consuming cooked vegetables is very healing because of the nutrients that are released with cooking. For example, Paul Pitchford asserts that the iron value of raw broccoli is 6 percent and jumps to 30 percent with cooking! Green vegetables are great for providing peace in your heart because green is a healing color and corresponds with your heart chakra.

Water is essential for achieving inner peace. Dehydration is an opportunity for disease to develop. Maintaining hydrated cells is crucial for communication and other body processes. Your brain is approximately 80% water. Your nervous system can achieve a higher state of smooth function and therefore calm if it is well hydrated. Also, think about how you feel when you sit beside a peaceful, flowing stream. If your bodily functions are flowing smoothly…. aaahhh… peace.

Finding the way of eating that works for you is crucial to finding inner peace. If you listen to something that worked for someone else, but when you try it, it does not work for you, you are on your way to finding your peace because you are becoming more aware about food and your body. Whatever way of eating you choose, the key is eat slowly and in a peaceful state of mind. If you are eating while you multi-task or are stressed, your food will be harder to digest. If you chew your food and pay attention to what you are eating, it will be digested more thoroughly. The way you digest your food correlates to the way to “digest” life. If you are digesting your food well, you will be more prepared to discover your inner peace in other areas of your life.

Nutrition and Vitality

2007-10-26T14:00:00.001-07:00

Your nutrition is intricately linked to your vitality. Vitality in your physical being, your mental being, your emotional being, and your spiritual being is connected to the food you eat. Your ability to maintain radiant health has everything to do with what you are putting in your mouth and how you are being in your life.
I typically like to focus on what works… healthy foods that make us feel great. However, it is also important to know what does not work- those foods that suppress brain function, devastate the immune system, and lead to disease and illness.

Sugar
Sugar has a scattering effect in the brain and suppresses the function of your immune system. Not to mention the effect on insulin and your pancreas. Refined, processed sugars are one of the worst things we can consume. It can cause mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, and more. It leaches minerals from our tissues and bones. Artificial sweeteners are worse. They cause the same addictive patterns and insulin reaction in your body as sugar, plus your body has to process and detoxify from the chemicals used in the sweetener.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate can cause severe headaches, fatigue, disturbed digestion, and a host of other symptoms. Just because the package does not have MSG listed as an ingredient, does not mean it does not contain it in hidden forms. Some examples of hidden forms of MSG are citric acid, natural flavorings, yeast extract, torula yeast, and anything hydrolyzed, autolyzed, or isolated. Sorry, this means that anything that contains isolated soy or whey protein can be a hidden form of MSG. When these fragile proteins are processed to become isolated from the whole food, free glutamic acid is released. Free glutamic acid is what causes the MSG reaction in your body. (More detailed information can be found here. http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/dirty-secrets.html )
Packaged foods
Much of the typical packaged food found in grocery stores contains refined flours, sugars, and dangerous added ingredients. Artificial colorings and flavorings are frequently added to “food” marketed towards children. Refined flours can clog your gut causing fatigue, acne, bloating, weight gain, and more. Artificial colorings and flavorings are part of the cause for autism, ADHD, and other such diagnoses.
Factory farmed meat
Meat from animals which are not free-ranging in the sunlight, eating organic grass contains a host of health destroying qualities. From the added hormones and anti-biotics, to the poor feed quality and toxic environment in which they are raised, factory farmed meat contains little if any usable nutrition. Your liver will be so busy detoxifying from all the toxic waste stored in the fat and muscle tissue of the animal that it won’t have much of a chance to absorb any nutrition that may be available. Organic, free-ranging animals provide Essential Fatty Acids, and are much cleaner than factory farmed animals. Plus they are happy eating grass while they enjoy the sunlight.

SOLUTIONS

Buy Local and Organic
If you want vitality in your health, it is important to know your alternatives to typical grocery store food. One key to vitality is to eat simple foods. If you are eating produce that is locally grown, you are generally avoiding preservatives, added coloring (used in fruit and vegetables for visual appeal), and gassing (used to speed the ripening process). Find a local farm near you. http://www.buylocalpa.com/ Some local farms also sell meat and dairy without anti-biotics and hormones. If you choose locally grown organic produce, you will boost your vitality even more!
Buy and cook in bulk
Whole grains and beans provide excellent nutrition and are cost-effective, especially if you buy them in bulk (even when buying organic). Cook a big batch at the beginning of the week and scoop out what you need as you go through your week. Add your favorite spices to create a variety of dishes with the same grains or beans as the base ingredients.
Look for simple ingredients
If you eat packaged foods, look for a short ingredient list and simple, easy to understand ingredients. If an ingredient looks long and complicated and you don’t know what it is, put the package back on the shelf. Avoid sugar-free and no-fat foods. They are not healthy and are merely a marketing ploy.
Go at your own pace
Eating healthy may seem overwhelming and complicated at first, but if you implement one new thing at a time, it is much easier. Some people like to try one new vegetable a week and some like to try one new thing each month. Allow yourself to go at your own pace. Eating healthy does not have to be all-or-nothing. If you overeat at a party or eat an unhealthy food, this is not a reason to quit. You can give yourself a second or even a 100th chance to start fresh.