Tis the Season for... Indigestion

Starting with Thanksgiving and moving through the New Year, there seem to be opportunities for perpetual feasting.  Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas parties and family gatherings all provide a wide assortment of rich and varied foods that can entice us to overeat and combine foods and drink in ways that create discomfort, indigestion and, well...gas.  

What do you do at these times? How do you handle these uncomfortable situations? Do you have a plan to keep from overeating? Have you designed strategies for maintaining your preferred diet? I am sure we could all benefit from hearing from one another, so share  your ideas below.

One strategy I have for maintaining my current diet is to pack a baggie of trail mix, healthy snacks or a preferred treat in my purse to have with me so that I have an option available to me if I don't seem to be able to find one at the event I am attending. A second strategy is eating a small salad or apple before I go to a party so I am not starving when I arrive, and I will be less likely to make the food my primary focus or desire. 

When I experience indigestion, I enjoy drinking hot water with fresh ginger or a few drops of peppermint essential oil in it. This helps alleviate discomfort very quickly. Rubbing 1-2 drops of Young Living peppermint oil right on my stomach can be a great way to reduce both indigestion and gas. I am also a firm believer in taking digestive enzymes to help me break down foods and assist with digestion and absorption. Young Living's Essentialzyme and Essentialzyme-4 are both great multi-enzyme supplements that I have found to be very beneficial over the past 2 & 1/2 years.

Great herbs (and essential oils) for digestive issues are ginger, nutmeg, fennel, peppermint, cumin, spearmint and tarragon.  Young Living sells a blend called DiGize that is extremely effective for all things digestive and intestinal, including IBS and parasites.  It is a blend of tarragon, ginger, peppermint, juniper, fennel, lemongrass, anise, and patchouli. I have seen this one oil work wonders for bladder and urinary tract infections and IBS. It can be taken in a capsule (4-6 drops), several times a day for several weeks, to help with these more serious issues. 

Other healthy strategies for reducing indigestion, acid reflux and other digestive issues are: 
1) drinking a glass of water which increases pH,     2) increasing good bacteria through probiotics (like Life 5 & fermented foods, see kefir blog on 10/18/13), 3) increase Vitamin D, which is often depleted in the winter months, and 4) exercise. 

As you enjoy this season of plenty, don't forget that your body's immune system and overall health is dependent on what you feed it.  The body is an incredible miracle and can heal itself and fight off harmful viruses and bacteria if well nourished. Eating more raw fruits and vegetables when at home can make eating a bit less healthy when at special events less detrimental.

My personal challenge will be to be more intentional this season so as to protect the health that I have been encouraging the rest of the year. It will be to keep food in its proper place of enjoyment without allowing it to be master.

How will you manage this season?

Chocolate Lovers Rejoice!

 I have always known, somewhere in my subconscious, that chocolate had to be good for you (or at least I wanted to believe this).  Well, it seems I was right.  The cocoa bean is thought to be the highest antioxidant food in the world (not sure how it compares to NingXia wolfberries). According to David Wolfe, raw food guru, it is also the number one food for your heart as it has the highest natural source of magnesium, iron, manganese, and chromium of any major food group. It is also a tremendous source of phosphorus, zinc, and copper. Unfortunately, when you add sugar, fats and other ingredients and heat the chocolate, you destroy most of these beneficial qualities.  

As I have written about in the past (see post from 8/29/13), raw cacao is the healthiest option for enjoying the benefits of this superfood. Cocoa is a slang word for “cacao”. Chocolate comes from the cacao tree — the cacao bean is actually a nut and is chocolate in its pure, raw form.  Often it is fermented and it comes as nibs, which are pieces or as a powder.  

If you are going to eat chocolate, it is recommended that you eat dark chocolate (70% cocoa) that is organic to receive the following benefits*: 

1. Better brain function due to improved blood flow and better cognitive performance.*
2. Flavanols in chocolate can protect the skin from harmful UV rays (sunburn). The less processed the chocolate, the more flavanols it will contain.*
3. Chocolate is know to help stimulate hormones, especially seratonine and dopamine which help balance emotions.
4. A study with nearly five thousand participants found that those who ate chocolate more than five times a week lowered their risk for heart disease by 42 percent.* (Sign me up for the next study!)
5. An Italian study shows that people who ate a serving of dark chocolate every three days had an average of 27 percent lower C-reactive protein levels in their blood than those who never ate it. C-reactive protein in the blood is a marker for inflammation.*
6. Researchers in Switzerland found that eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate per day for two weeks can reduce cortisol levels, which helps reduce stress in the body.*

 So what are you waiting for?  Try some dark or raw chocolate (or cacao) and let me know what benefits you experience.  Create a favorite recipe and share it with the rest of us, please...
* INH Health Watch, August 30, 2013

Gratitude Precedes the Miracle

A heart that is full of gratitude is open to the gift of life all around it.  Gratitude makes for a happy countenance and a joyful heart. 

I have two books that have ministered to me over the last several years and have taught me about the power of thanksgiving.  I know I have mentioned One Thousand Gifts and Jesus Calling before, but today, this Thanksgiving, I am especially grateful for all they have taught me.

Counting blessings, being grateful, giving thanks has transformed my life.  It has helped me to focus on the good all around me, in nature, in people, in circumstances, in myself.  It takes my eyes off my troubles or the pain around me.  It allows me to trust in God’s goodness and love, which is His very nature.  It does not deny that there is evil or sadness, death or pain.  It simply allows me to look beyond these to remember that God, like the sun, is always just behind the darkest cloud.  God does not create or desire the pain or evil, but He will use it for our greatest good, if we will let Him.

Even if I can’t thank Him for a difficult situation, I can still count blessings elsewhere. In One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp writes,

“I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for early light dappled through leaves and the heavy perfume of wild roses in early July and the song of crickets on humid nights … Why would the world need more anger, more outrage?  How does it save the world to reject unabashed joy when it is joy that saves us?” (page 58)

As a Christian, thanksgiving is something that God asks of us.  Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I say it again, rejoice.” 

Before many of his miracles in the Gospels, Jesus gave thanks.  Before he fed the 5,000, before he raised Lazarus from the dead, and before he was to die on the cross, at the last supper, he gave thanks.  Even Jesus knew the power of thanksgiving, of eucharisteo. If it was important for Him to give thanks, wouldn’t it be even more important for me? 

In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes (as if Jesus were speaking), “Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My Thoughts.  You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective.” (page 343)

“A life of praise and thanksgiving becomes a life filled with miracles.” (page 346)

As we move into our preparations for Christmas and prepare to sing “Joy to the World”, let’s prepare our hearts by recording each day the blessings around us; a child’s laughter, the beauty of snow, a lesson in patience, a card from a friend.  When we create a grateful heart, there really will be joy in the world.

Give Your Immune System a Big Boost!

Here in Ohio, we have already had snowfall on two occasions. With this shift in weather, many people around me are struggling with sinus congestion and infections, headaches, runny noses, allergies and more.  I have been sharing essential oils with people everywhere I go (I always keep some on hand, just in case...).

So what can you do to keep from getting sick this winter? The best answer is boost your immune system.  A healthy body, with oxygenated, nutrient rich cells, is far less likely to get sick. There is just no room in a healthy cell for sickness to enter. I am sure we all realize that the reason we catch a cold or flu is because our immune system is just not able to fight off the harmful virus or bacteria.

One way to strengthen your immune system is to avoid things that overwork or weaken your immune system. Some ideas are:

1) Sugar and processed foods – the average person consumes about 75 grams of sugar per day. These sugars unbalance your gut flora and become ‘fertilizer’ for pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi that can set your immune system up for an assault by a respiratory virus.

2) Chemicals and toxins always put a strain on the body and cause it to work harder to remove these intruders from circulation.

3) Stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise - The likelihood of you becoming a victim of an unwanted virus increases if you are overtired, stressed out, or eating an unhealthy diet, as all of these things can weaken your immune system.

There are foods that are especially good at boosting the immune system. Some of those include:

• Greens, veggies and fruits are nutritionally solid for the body 
• Garlic is incredibly beneficial to your immune system because it offers a triple-whammy: it’s antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. It should be used fresh as the active ingredient is destroyed after one hour of being smashed. 
• NingXia Red – highest antioxidant food source, anti-inflammatory, nutritional superfood with high levels of 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, Beta Carotene and Vitamins C, E, B1, B2, B6 and more. A great 1-2 oz. boost every day.
• Green Tea – should be “green” in color and organic.
• Mushrooms support the activity of antibodies and are natural killer cells.  If left in the sun, gill side up, mushrooms will produce significant amounts of Vitamin D. 

There are also vitamins, herbs and essential oils that boost your immune system.  Here are a few to consider:

• Vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant; use a natural form such as acerola, which contains associated micronutrients (Young Living's Super C is supermicronized so it is easily absorded by the cells)

• Vitamin D: Evidence is mounting in support of vitamin D as a potent cold and flu prevention strategy. It is best obtained from sunshine whenever possible. (OmegaGize has Vitamin D)

• Zinc: Much medical research has found that taking zinc within one day of the first symptoms, it can cut down the time you have a cold by about 24 hours.

•  Licorice: buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by the adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.

• Turmeric: general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity, and an anticancer agent as well; turmeric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants.

• Oregano: active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant. One to two drops of Young Living's Oregano oil is very effective against cold and flu symptoms.

• Cinnamon: powerful antimicrobial agent—found to kill E. coli, MRSA and many other bacteria; also has anti-inflammatory compounds. Found in Young Living's Thieves oil, which has been effective for me against flu, cold, sore throat and even shingles.

• Cloves: contains eugenol; its mild anesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches and sore throats; good anti-inflammatory.  Also found in YL's Thieves oil.

• Inner Defense: a Young Living supplement with 7 antibiotic, antiviral oils in a capsule (Thieves blend, oregano and lemongrass) I take it orally once a week for prevention.  I will take one in the morning and evening at the first symptoms of illness and I have not been sick for more than 8 hours over the last three years.

• Diffusing oils in an atomizing diffuser will help to kill germs, reduce odors and boost immunity all at the same time.  Great oils to diffuse are Thieves, Purification, R.C., lemon, and ImmuPower.

I know I have just scratched the surface with ideas for staying healthy this winter. What are your favorite immune boosting tips?  Do tell!

Flavored Water and Healthy Snacks

The holidays are a great time to visit with family and friends and enjoy some special treats.  This doesn’t mean that a healthy diet has to be abandoned.  With a little planning and some simple preparations, the holidays can include some great immune boosting treats.

Flavored water is a great way to have festive drinks at a party without the added sugars or chemicals of sodas or punch. I regularly make flavored waters and my guests are always delighted and surprised by how delicious and simple these options are.  Besides tasting good, they contain essential oils which help to boost the immune system and detoxify the body.

Here are two of my favorite flavored waters:

Refreshing Citrus Water

In a half gallon sized pitcher of filtered water, add two slices of lemon, 2 slices of orange and 3 drops each of lemon and orange (or tangerine) essential oil. Serve with ice on the side, as the oil will stick to the ice if added to the water.

Invigorating Raspberry Spearmint Water

In a half gallon sized pitcher of filtered water, add 2 Tbsp of frozen raspberries (squeezed slightly) and 2-3 drops spearmint essential oil.

Over the holidays, I find it is important for me to be proactive and create portable snacks that I know I want to eat.  Cutting up veggies and having them in the refrigerator in baggies makes quick grab and go snacks.  Baggies with NingXia wolfberries are easy and nutritious for an afternoon shopping boost.  

Instead of having M&Ms or pretzels on the table as nibbles, why not create a nutritious and enjoyable trail mix. In addition to being a good snack to have in the car or in my purse for busy days or when traveling, baggies of trail mix are also good stocking stuffers

Healthy Trail Mix

¼ cup raw almonds – coarsely chopped

¼ cup raw, unsweetened coconut flakes

¼ cup raw fermented cacao nips (an excellent source of iron, magnesium, and more)

¼ cup organic raisins

¼ cup NingXia wolfberries (an excellent source of protein, polysaccharides, nutrients)

Mix together and enjoy.  You can add more variety and quantity of nuts, currants, dried unsweetened fruits or any number of other healthy options.  Store in air tight bags or containers.  I can’t tell you how long it keeps as it is never in my house for more than a few days.

What are some of your quick and easy healthy holiday ideas?  

Counting our Blessings

As we prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations, I want to remind us to take time throughout this week to consciously give thanks for our many, many blessings.

This week I was introduced to several people with debilitating illnesses - a woman with brain cancer (and 7 children), a gentleman whose bladder is not functioning, a woman with MRSA throughout her whole body, a woman with a chronic cough of 10 years, several people with MS, and more. I, by the grace of God, have been given the chance to improve my health and hopefully avoid these type of illnesses that may certainly have caused me much pain and hardship.  For this I am very grateful.

Recently, one of my son's classmates was killed in a car accident. Her family will have a seat empty at their Thanksgiving table and hearts that are still bleeding.  I have three healthy children and two precious grandsons that I adore. For this I am exceedingly grateful.

There are those who journey through this life feeling very alone, unloved and uncared for. By God's mercy, I have been invited to a personal faith and belief in a God who loved me so much that He sent His only son to die to prove it to me.  This sacrifice was not just for me, but for everyone. Somehow I have been fortunate to experience God's love for me in His provision and care on a daily basis and in very practical ways. He wants this for all His children. I can't imagine life without His constant presence. For this I am eternally grateful.

I have a practice of jotting down things I am grateful for in a running list of 1000 gifts.  I discovered this idea in a book that I have now read three times and keep beside my bed called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  I have been daily recording blessings, gifts, surprises, even hardships that I know are blessings in disguise.  I have passed the 1000 mark having just recorded by 1058 gift, but I am still taking time each day to write down blessings large and small: a lesson learned, a rose colored sky, the first unexpected snowfall, a card from a friend, a kind word from a stranger, sunshine streaming through a window, the chorus of birds in the early morning...

I challenge you to find a simple journal or notebook and take some time this week to record your blessings.  When we start to focus on what is right, positive and life giving in our lives, the focus of our energy shifts and we become more joyful people.  You can even choose to focus your attention on recording the good qualities of someone you have a hard time relating to, and watch to see how your feelings toward them soften.

For those of you who may be experiencing hardships, suffering or loss this Thanksgiving, know that my prayers are with you.  May you find consolation in the blessings that are still present in your life and in a God who loves you passionately. May you know His embrace and strength this week.

Persimmons Pudding

What in the world is a persimmons?  I am betting most of you have never had one.  Have you?

 I have been hearing about persimmons and thought I would try one, so I asked the produce employee at the East End Coop for a recommendation. She was extremely helpful and told me to pick one that had good color, and to wait for it to get darker orange and very soft.  She said that it would almost seem like it had become mushy like a very ripe tomato.  Cut it in half, remove the seeds and scoop out the flesh. 

That sounded easy enough, so I bought one and waited.  It sat on the counter for almost a week before it seemed like it was “going bad”.  It got very soft and so I followed the directions.  Oh my goodness; it was the sweetest, juiciest fruit I have had in a long time.  I immediately wished I had bought several of them.

Hachiya (heart shaped) persimmons

Persimmons come in two varieties, hachiya (which is larger and heart-shaped) and fuyu (which is smaller and flatter).  Both are very sweet when ripe, but hachiya is bitter if not ripe.

According to the USDA, persimmons have an amino acid score of 110 which indicates a complete or high-quality protein. They are also high in calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins C and A.

I threw together this recipe with my one persimmons.   It was delicious.

Fuyu persimmons

Persimmons Pudding

2 Tbsp chia seeds

2 Tbsp finely shredded coconut

1 Cup almond or coconut milk

1 persimmons smashed

1 Tbsp chopped hazelnuts

1 pinch vanilla bean seeds

Mix together and let sit for 5-15 minutes until the chia seeds swell and the mixture becomes thicker.  Enjoy.

Since then, the grocery store had persimmons on sale for 3 for $1.00.  I bought twelve!  I will try them in green smoothies, make persimmons sorbet and invent a few more recipes. Now I just have to wait for them to ripen.

No Excuses!

I love this quote by Jim Rohn.  It has motivated me, challenged me and frustrated me.  How many times during my day do I settle for less than what I say I really want? 

Here’s an example.  I know that regular exercise would be good for me and I want to be in better shape. So why isn’t it happening?  Enter excuses:  It’s raining, it’s too cold, it’s too hot, I don’t have time right now, it’s still dark outside, I don’t have anyone to exercise with, I don’t have energy…

How many of us would like to be healthier, yet we put off until tomorrow making the changes that we know would be helpful?  We would like a cleaner house, more intimacy in our relationships, or to reach a certain goal in our job or business.  Yet we allow our fears, distractions and laziness to shift our focus and rob us of our determination.

Have you ever met someone who was so focused on a goal that they did not allow negative thoughts or the desires of others to deter them? Take for instance a parent whose child is suddenly found to be missing in a department store.  That parent will begin a frantic search for the child, enlist the help of others and remain focused until the child is safely returned. No 80% off rack of clothes or blue light special will distract them.   No kind, well meaning words, "Everything will be fine..." will diminish determination and urgency.

What are the goals that you believe to be important to you?  What distractions do you allow to get in the way of achieving these goals?  

Distractions can take the form of self-sabatoging thoughts, spending countless hours surfing the internet, checking Facebook, watching Netflix movies or sitcoms.  Instead of taking steps toward our goal, we put these actions off until “tomorrow”.  Of course, the present is the only place we can really make a difference.

Massage Your Cares Away

This fall, I had the pleasure of receiving my first full body massage.  The massage school at Pittsburgh Technical Institute (PTI) offers massage by the students who are further along in their studies for a very reasonable price.  Can I tell you, it was wonderful!  

Massage is very therapeutic.  The kneading action affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural 'feel good' chemicals. Massage is one of the oldest and simplest forms of medical care used to ease pain and anxiety, and massages have profound health benefits.

Endorphins help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being, relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline -- reversing the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure.

Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products. It eases tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.

Massage is said to increase activity of the vagus nerve, one of 10 cranial nerves, that affects the secretion of food absorption hormones, heart rate and respiration. It has proven to be an effective therapy for a variety of health conditions -- particularly stress-related tension, which experts believe accounts for as much as 80 to 90 percent of disease.

In addition to the benefits listed above, massage can:

• Stimulate the lymph system, the body's natural defense, against toxic invaders.
• Relax and soften injured and overused muscles, reducing spasms and cramping.
• Provide arthritis relief by increasing joint flexibility.
• Reduce recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminate subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.
• Reduce post-surgery adhesions and edema, reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.
• Contribute to shorter labor and reduce tearing for expectant mothers.
• Relieve pain (from migraines, labor, fibromyalgia and even cancer)
• Boost your level of alertness and attention
• Increase your body's natural killer cells, which help your immune system to defend against illness
• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and ease insomnia
• Decrease symptoms of PMS

The Raindrop Treatment, developed by D. Gary Young, combines some very basic massage with the effectiveness of therapeutic essential oils.  Nine oils are used to help assist the body in removing toxins, viruses, unfriendly bacteria, and emotional blocks from the body.  I have experienced the raindrop treatment many times and have experienced powerful physical and emotional healing through this technique.

Have you had experience with massage or the raindrop technique?
How did it benefit you?

Homemade Mango Salsa

There is nothing quite like a ripe mango for sweetness.  It can be a bit tricky trying to find mangos that will ripen well and not be stringy, especially up here in Ohio.  I use mangos in smoothies, in fruit salad and in a delicious mango salsa.

Mangos are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A.  They contain phenols which are known for their powerful antioxidant and anticancer properties. Mangos are rich in iron and so are great for people with anemia.  These are just a few of the benefits of mangos.

Mango salsa can be used as a dip for veggies or blue corn chips (organic, of course, so as to avoid GMOs).  It can be used as a topping for grilled fish or chicken.  I think you will really enjoy the many uses for this simple recipe.


Mango Salsa
1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1/2 cup onion, diced
14 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
2 drops YL lime essential oil (optional)
1 Tbsp dried cilantro (or 2 Tbsp fresh, chopped fine)
1/4 tsp dried cumin

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for an hour or more to let all the flavors blend.
Optional additions:  2 Tbsp red bell pepper, green onion, ripe peach (chopped), ripe pineapple (chopped small) and/or tomato.  You can have fun thinking up your own variations.
Enjoy!

Only One Day Left to Live

“You only have one more day to live.”

 What if those words were spoken to you?

This morning at church, the challenge was issued, “What would you do differently if you knew this was the last day of your life?”  That question was driven home for me by the reality that a friend of mine may literally may be experiencing her last day.

My friend, Sherry, has been diagnosed with fibromuscular dysplasia.  She was given two weeks to live back in 2009.  Anyone who knows Sherry, knows she has three things going for her:  1) she is life focused and “doesn’t have time to die”, 2) she is a woman of faith and believes that God will not take her before she has finished what He has for her to do on earth, and 3) she believes in the incredible healing power of the body and that natural remedies can assist the body to heal.  She takes no drugs and has been using Young Living essential oils and supplements to bring about healing in areas that are “irreversible”. 

Sherry lives each day as if it might really be her last, because her blood vessels are still weakened.  She just visited the Cleveland Clinic this week and was interrogated by two specialists who did not understand how she had survived an apparent rupture of a blood vessel in her brain that had mended itself, as was evidenced by scar tissue and a narrowing of the vessel.  The only thing she had done for the headache was to use an oil blend, Deep Relief, on her head when she had headache symptoms.  She has baffled doctors by her improvements (and that she is still alive), and she shares her testimony wherever she is invited to speak.

She is really a witness to the truth that whole foods, therapeutic grade essential oils and a positive attitude are healing.

So, the question still lingers.  What would I do differently if I knew this was my last day? Call each of my children and my family members to tell them I love them. Take a bit more time to pray, repent of my failings, and experience God’s love and mercy (get ready for the journey). Smile at everyone I meet.

Aren’t these things I should be doing regularly anyway?   

What would you do if it were your last day?

Love that lymphatic system!

Have you given much thought to giving your lymphatic system some special attention?  Do you know what your lymphatic system does?  I personally had not given much thought to this system and did not even know where it was for most of my life. As we approach the cold and flu system of the year, I thought you might enjoy a few ideas for "treating" the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system works in close cooperation with other body systems to perform these important functions:

1. It aids the immune system in destroying pathogens and filtering waste so that the lymph can be safely returned to the circulatory system.
2. It removes excess fluid, waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, cancer cells, and toxins from the cells and the tissue spaces between them.
3. The lymphatic system also works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen, and hormones from the blood to the cells that make up the tissues of the body.

The lymphatic system does not have a pump to aid in its flow, instead this system is designed so that lymph only flows upward through the body traveling from the extremities (feet and hands) toward the neck.

As it travels through the body, lymph passes through lymph nodes (600-700 average in body) where it is filtered. At the base of the neck, the lymph enters the subclavian veins and once again becomes plasma in the bloodstream.

When the lymphatic system becomes blocked, lymph nodes may become swollen. The system may then fail to remove the body's toxins and this can affect white blood cell counts.

“Maintaining lymph circulation is one of the keys to keeping the immune system adequately functioning.”  (Essential Oil Desk Reference)

Young Living users have discovered a lymphatic system recipe for helping to relieve sore lymph nodes.  Combine 3 drops cypress, 1 drop orange, and 2 drops grapefruit. Use topically neat or diluted 50/50 with a pure carrier oil on sore lymph nodes. This mixture can also be taken internally:  1 capsule, 5 drops of blend, twice a day.

Other Young Living products that can help boost the lymph system are Immupro, Super C, Multigreens, Cel-Lite Magic Massage Oil, Myrtle oil, Lemongrass oil, Tangerine oil, and Di-Gize blend.

You can help your lymph system along by doing a lymphatic pump anywhere, at any time by simply push up on balls of your feet to stand on tip toes and lower again.  Do this 50 – 100 times. This will help get the lymph system flowing.

You can also check out lymphatic dry skin brushing on various websites.  I personally do this 2-3 times a week.  It feels great, improves skin quality and helps the lymphatic system circulate better. 


Do you have any favorite practices for caring for your lymphatic system?

Is Gluten Good For the Gut?

This week I am listening to several interviews that have been available free online through the Gluten Summit (www.glutensummit.com).  I have been so inspired and am learning quite a lot. Fascinating information!  (The Summit continues until November 18).

As I listened to many of the these talks, a light bulb began to brighten.  While I have been eating a whole food diet, lots of veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, I have still been eating grains and wheat in wraps or sprouted bread.  Despite my diet and my use of essential oils and supplements, I have still had some persistent health conditions:

• Consistently acid system despite an alkaline diet
• Stubborn belly roll that doesn't seem to want to give way
• Digestive issues when certain foods are eaten
• Digestive supplements recommended on my Zyto Compass scan every time
• Trouble bringing my Thyroid all the way up to speed (lower temperature under left arm)
• Sulfur deficiency signs (hair loss, ridged nails) despite taking Sulfurzyme

So, today I started my gluten, grain free diet for two weeks.  I already have eliminated dairy, most red meats and sugar.  I love my veggies, salads, smoothies, fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, fish, organic chicken and other whole foods.  I am very interested to see what happens to the symptoms listed and will keep you posted.

In the meantime, check out the Summit.  Thirty different experts in the field of science, nutrition and diet all in one place.  Thoughts on gluten sensitivity, gut health, GMOs, and more. The Amen diet, the Virgin diet, the Digestion Connection and other resources.  There is a special bonus day on November 18.  

Let me know what you think.

Breaking the Pattern

There is a saying that makes a lot of sense to me and has been challenging me lately to look at my choices.

"If you keep doing what you did, you'll keep getting what you got!"

Yet how many times do I eat something and feel sick or uncomfortable afterwards only to eat it again a few days later.  Or I choose to avoid making phone calls for my business and then wonder why I don't have any appointments the next week.  It seems I am not connecting the dots.

My life is the accumulation of my choices up to this point in time.  Why is it that I avoid taking the time to see where my choices are leading me?

Other examples of this disconnect might be:

• Missing time to pray or meditate and then wondering why there is a lack of peace in the day
• Postponing or skipping a date with the spouse and then wondering why intimacy seems to be waning
• Gossiping about coworkers and then wondering why the office has a negative energy or atmosphere/
• Eating "just a bit" of cake, doughnut, cookie throughout the day and then wonder why the scale seems to be off at the end of the wee

I think sometimes we operate on auto-pilot.  We really don't take time to stop and think about what we are doing, what our goals or desires are, and whether the road we are traveling on is taking us to where we want to be.

Is it just me?  Do you relate to this phenomenon?

I have decided to take some time to determine what my life goals are.  What do I believe is my purpose, my passion, my contribution to life?  What are changes that I would like to make (not "should make"...see post from 9/6/13) and what specific steps will bring about those changes? Then I want to write down my goals for the year, month, week and determine the daily steps that will take me where I want to be.

If I want to improve my health and eliminate gluten (which I decided this week I would like to do, after listening to the Gluten Summit - more on that Saturday), then I need to have a plan.  What new recipes will I incorporate?  When will I make the time to find new recipes?  What books or websites or audio recordings will continue to keep me motivated and learning, otherwise the change will seem like a drudgery.  If I decide to read a book, how many pages will I read each night?

"Failing to plan is planning to fail."

None of us wants to fail, so take the time - make the time- to get a clear picture of your goal, your steps and your time frame.  Be intentional about the outcomes in your life.  I am certain you won't be sorry.

Can you share an example of being intentional with one of your goals and what you experienced? I'd love to hear.

Tai Chi and Qigong Health Benefits

Tai Chi and Qigong Benefits

I have a friend who practices Tai Chi and Qigong and asked him to be a guest writer on my blog. The following discussion comes from Dan P. for your enrichment.

"Tai Chi and Qigong are a couple of mind-body practices that originate in ancient China.  Both of these practices or “types of play,” as described in China, provide low impact, weight-bearing, aerobic – yet relaxing – exercise (according to WebMD).  These practices have been described as “moving meditation” by those who reap the benefits.  Regular practice of Tai Chi and Qigong can benefit their practitioners in many ways.  Let’s take a look at some of these benefits now.

Today, tai chi is practiced in every corner of the world for health improvement— for good reasons. Scientific studies show that the practice of tai chi improves, and prevents, chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. In addition, it improves balance, immunity, and reduces stress. In fact, tai chi improves practically every aspect of health.

I began my practice of Tai Chi in 2005.  Once I began the practice, I found out how well it improved my flexibility, my muscle strength and best of all my well being.  Research shows that if one experiences improved well being, that it’s easier to provide similar feelings to those around them.  I decided to pursue my studies further and became certified in two forms of Tai Chi for Health.  These programs were devised by Dr. Paul Lam.  Dr. Lam is an MD and a Tai Chi Master.  I studied Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Diabetes.  To this day, I play Tai Chi and Qigong nearly on a daily basis.

I recently had the opportunity to teach Chinese Fitness to Elementary and Middle school children. The children very much enjoyed the program and some teachers commented about how quiet and focused the children were during the class.  When they asked how I got them to be so focused, I told the teachers “I taught them how to breathe and they are practicing it.”

In addition, I still offer Chinese Fitness classes from time to time.  I find that using this term is easier for some to comprehend than using the term Qigong.  In fact, Shibashi is a relatively newer form of Qigong that was developed in the late 1970s.

I hope that you will follow your interest in learning more about Tai Chi and Qigong for your own health journey. "

Raw Broccoli Salad

One of our favorite family foods for special occasions is broccoli salad.  While the original recipe has a fair amount of sugar and bacon, the basic ingredients in the recipe are vegetables, raisins and nuts.  I have tried several adaptations that my family really enjoys and so I thought I would share them with all of you.

Broccoli is loaded with health benefits, such as omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamins C, K, A and others.  It is alkalizing, cholesterol reducing, detoxifying, antioxidant and more.
The World's Healthiest Foods (www.whfoods.com) had this to say about broccoli:


"It's no coincidence that more than 300 research studies on broccoli have converged in one unique area of health science—the development of cancer—and its relationship to three metabolic problems in the body. Those three problems are (1) chronic inflammation (2) oxidative stress, and (3) inadequate detoxification."

So what are you waiting for?  Start chopping!

Broccoli Salad with variations
1 large head broccoli, cut into small pieces (I use the tender portions of the stems too)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup pine nuts or sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins 
2 cups Quick mayonnaise (see below)
1 Tbsp organic, blue agave

Mix vegetables in a large bowl.  Mix mayonnaise with agave and add to vegetables.  Let sit for one hour to let flavors blend.  Serve chilled.

Quick Mayonnaise *

¾ cup almond milk

2 Tbsp avocado

1 ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar

¾ tsp sea salt

¾ cup virgin olive oil

Put almond milk, avocado, vinegar, and salt in a blender.  Blend until combined.

With the blender running, slowly drizzle the oil through the hole in the top and blend until smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

You can use this recipe with the Waldorf Salad from the 9/16/13 post too.  
*Above recipes from Raw Food for Everyone by Alissa Cohen.com

Have fun experimenting with this recipe.  You really can't go wrong. Try walnuts, sliced almonds, cashews, chopped dates or apples, grated carrot or other options.  Really, there are a hundred variations that you can try.  

Other dressings I have tried for this include a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice; an avocado smashed and mixed with some olive oil and lemon.  

Do you have a variation of this recipe that you can share?  Let me know what you've enjoyed. 

Appreciate Difficult Days

In Jesus Calling a few days ago, I was struck by a few lines in the meditation.

 

"Learn to appreciate difficult days.  Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along your way."

How many times do I grumble and complain because I am experiencing something that takes me outside of my comfort zone or causes me pain? I am certainly not expressing gratitude for car troubles, relationship issues or disappointments, financial strains or an appliance breakdown. I don't usually see days with too many tasks for the time, or days of loneliness or uncertainty, as "stimulating".

What God has been gently teaching me is that these challenges are reminders that I can't rely on myself. Life is not within my control. I can pretend it is and even convince myself that I have "everything under control" but the reality is that in a blink of an eye my world could be turned upside down (or at least sideways). 

This may seem like a depressing thought, but for those who believe in a personal, loving God, this is an opportunity to put our trust in His love and care. If God is really who we say He is, then He cares more for us than we care for ourselves. God only gives love. That is His very nature. 

Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

This is an exciting adventure. Each day I have the opportunity to follow where God leads, to embrace all that happens with a joyful heart and to accept the challenges that can create compassion, courage, and character within me. 

“Regardless of your lot in life, you can build something beautiful on it.” Zig Ziglar

Anxiety has now become a reminder for me that I have moved back into the driver’s seat and am trying to direct my own life, keeping things safe and comfortable. I am trying to avoid any bumpy roads. Instead, God nudges me to slide back over to the passenger seat and let Him do the driving.  He will tell me what I need to know and direct me if I am listening. I will enjoy the journey so much more.

 ‘Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Author unknown

The road may be bumpy, but the lessons learned in hardship, and the character built in times of perseverance, are priceless treasures.

Do you agree?  Can you share what you’ve experienced?