Brain Health Essentials

I was looking over some notes from a conference I attended in Michigan over a year ago on brain health.  Since we are seeing increases in Alzheimer's, dementia, austism, depression, mental illnesses and many other brain related health challenges, I thought the topic was worth revisiting.

The brain is, of course, the command center of the body. It is made up of 80% water and 60% fat (by weight) which is why it is so important to stay hydrated (half your body weight in ounces of water a day) and to get plenty of good fats (found in high quality, organic flax seeds, avocado, coconut oil, olive oil). Excess weight and body fat cause problems for the brain. One saying shared with us was, "The larger the waist, the smaller the brain." The brain uses 20-30% of our calories, 20% of our oxygen and is only 2% of our total body weight. Interesting facts.

Keeping the brain healthy has more to do with diet, removing toxins from the environment (body), and keeping neurotransmitters communicating well. The speaker I was listening to mentioned that at a recent medical conference, scientists were sharing that they now believe that genetics only accounts for about 10% of brain health with habits accounting for 90%. Doctors and scientists at this conference also mentioned that they are seeing brain damage 30-40 years earlier than they use to (Alzheimer's, dementia, MS, mental illnesses). 

Some key substances that are linked to reduced brain health? 

1. Aspartame, which is found in over 9000 products, allows too much calcium in the brain
2. Alcohol, which poisons the brain
3. Vaccines, which deposit heavy metals, such as mercury, into the cells of the body
4. Petroleum products, such as hair sprays, chemicals in shampoos, and many other products
5. MSG, which has over 50 different names on food labels
6. Pollution of air, water, noise and more

What can you do to improve brain health?
1) Hydrate the brain with water & minerals (lemon, Alkalime, Mineral Essence are great for keeping pH of water alkaline), 2) Feed the brain healthy whole foods, 3) Scavenge free radicals (NingXia Red & Longevity capsules are great for this), 4) Detoxify the body, 5) Exercise, 6) Improve oxygen flow to the brain, 7) Take care of brain injuries.

Essential oils have been proven to be especially good for the brain because many can pass beyond the blood brain barrier into the brain where they help to clean off receptor sites, deprogram wrong information from cellular memory stored in the DNA, and reprogram miswritten information to repair DNA.* Essential oils bring oxygen to the cells, make nutrients and minerals more absorbable by the cells, and help remove toxins from the cells. 

A few oils especially good for the brain are: Brain Power, Cedarwood, Clarity, Vetiver, and Frankincense. 

Have you ever felt like you were walking around in a brain fog? What natural remedies do you find helpful for improving brain function?

Chicken with Oyster Mushrooms

I bought a packet of oyster mushrooms today because they just looked interesting. Maybe it had something to do with my hike in the woods on Saturday and seeing all the fungi growing on dead trees. I really didn't know much about them, so I came home, invented a recipe by throwing a few things together, and looked up oyster mushrooms on the internet.

I learned that oyster mushrooms get their name because the white variety resembles clusters of oysters. They grow wild on dead trees or fallen logs (No, I did not bring them home from my hike, but I really did get them from the grocery store). Evidently, they have been used for thousands of years as a tonic for the immune system.

On livestrong.com (article 348755), I learned that oyster mushrooms contain ergothioneine, a unique antioxidant exclusively produced by fungi. The article referred to a 2010 study led by Penn State food scientist Joy Dubost which stated that the antioxidant properties are significant and not reduced when the mushrooms are cooked.

According to a 1997 study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry", oyster mushrooms have significant antibacterial activity. This study found that the active compound is benzaldehyde which is said to reduce bacterial levels.

Another website, nutritiondata.self.com states, 

"This food is low in Sodium, and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper."

So, I am glad I bought them. 

Here is the recipe that I threw together.

Chicken with Oyster Mushrooms

This is a one person recipe, so adapt it as needed for the number of people.

1 organic chicken tender (small part of a chicken breast)

5 oyster mushrooms, tops only (stems seemed rubbery)

5 strips of red pepper

2 Tbsp zucchini sliced and quartered

1/4 cup fire roasted tomatoes

your favorite seasonings (organo, basil, rosemary, 21 seasoning salute)

In a small glass pan, place mushrooms and red pepper strips. Lay chicken breast on top. Cover with tomatoes, then zucchini and spices. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. 

Serve with some raw veggies and a baked sweet potato with coconut oil instead of butter. Yum!

How do you use mushrooms? Do you have a good recipe? 

Comments could win you a free bottle of essential oil...I'm just saying...

Mercy Wrapped in Difficulty

Today is Mercy Sunday and the celebration of the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII (that's 23rd). This is a great day to celebrate God's love and His constant desire to draw us closer to Himself.

Yesterday, as I was hiking in a wildflower reserve (I'll share more about that later this week), I found myself drawn to trees that were gnarly or had unusual features.  The knots or holes, bumps or bends, somehow made them more interesting to look at, and photograph.

As I reflected on this, I realized that these trees had been through hardships and many had been injured in some way. They didn't get these unique features from an easy life. Some may have been hit by lightening, scrapped by the antlers of a deer, had limbs broken off. As they healed from this wound, they developed, well character.

Sometimes I feel like a character. There are times when the hardships of life stretch me, wound me, disfigure me in some way. I wonder if I will ever be the same, and the answer is "no". I will not. 

But in God's infinite mercy, if I respond to His love and leading, I will come out stronger, more compassionate, more loving. These struggles can help me to build character and will make me unique. I am developing insights and skills that can be used by God for His service. This is amazing. Only God can bring great beauty out of what others might call tragedy.

So the next time you are hiking in the woods and you see a tree with some unique features, remember that hardship can lead to strength, and mercy can lead to joy.

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself. Amen." (closing prayer from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy)

2014 Food Revolution Summit Starts Today

I just learned about the Food Revolution Summit from a friend and immediately signed up to attend. The beauty of this summit, which starts today, is that it is on the internet and it is totally free. It will run from April 26 to May 4 with each presentation being available for 24 hours beginning at a specific time.

Some of my favorite presenters and authors are speaking, people like Dr. Mark Hyman, J.J. Virgin, Dr. Colin Campbell (author of the China Study) and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (both featured in Forks Over Knives), Dr. Jane Goodall and many others.

"Heal your body and the world with food" is the slogan of the summit and there will be hours of educational, inspiring interviews which you can purchase if you decide you'd like to have all the talks to listen to again and again. While the summit is free, you must register before you can begin to listen. Then just click to hear the talks you want to listen to in the 24 hour period they are available. Over 80,000 have already registered. Now that's a revolution!

Topics include Lose Weight and Feel Great, Power Foods That Help You Thrive, The Science of Food and Health, The Truth About Food Labels, Our Kinship with Animals, How to Live a Kind Life, How to be Heart Attack Proof, and 18 more.

The summit is sponsored by a father/son team, John and Ocean Robbins and the Food Revolution Network (a great resource for future education).  Interestingly, John Robbins walked away from inheriting the Baskin Robbins chain of stores because of his commitment to wholesome foods and healthy living. Impressive.

Listening to just one talk may inspire you to take the next good step.

Let us know what talks you listen to and what you think of the content. I am sure we will all be blessed by your thoughts and sharing.

Know What Today Is?

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Today is the tomorrow that you dreamed about (or worried about) yesterday.

Today is a gift, that's why they call it the "present".

Today is the oldest you've ever been and the youngest you'll ever be.

Today is your day to shine, share and inspire us with what you have learned or experienced.

Today I will be blessed by what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to leave a thought or an idea for us to take on our journey. 

Today...

Dumping Excuses, Finding Solutions

For a long time I have been moaning about the fact that I want to do more outdoor activities, such as hiking, canoeing and camping. I love nature, the smell of the forest and flowers. I get as excited as a small child (while trying to remain somewhat "adult-like" in my response) when I see unusual critters, a beautifully colored bird or a striking flower. Being in nature revitalizes me, and I love new adventures.

With all my children grown and living out of state, several siblings having moved away, and the lives of friends packed with activities and commitments, I find myself without a regular "nature buddy". Hiking in the woods, in sometimes remote areas, does not seem like a smart activity for a lone woman, unless it is a popular trail with lots of hikers.

While hiking with my son in North Carolina last week, it suddenly dawned on me that most state parks and recreational areas have organized nature hikes. These often involve a guided hike and receiving some instruction on a topic, so it would give me a chance to hike with others and learn some interesting facts and information at the same time. I made the decision to check into this.

When I shared this brilliant insight with my sister, she mentioned organized groups called "Meetup" where you can locate others who enjoy similar activities and participate in scheduled events.

I was amazed to realize that there are Meetup groups for many, many interests, from raw food, to outdoor activities, to knitting, gardening, wine tasting, and hundreds of others. I signed up to join a nearby hike with 15 other people and am excited to have overcome my "obstacle", my excuse for not getting outdoors more.

To learn more about Meetup groups, visit www.meetup.com and select the activities you enjoy and the location that you are interested in, i.e. hiking in Pittsburgh, PA. You will then receive emails letting you know of events that are scheduled and you will have the chance to join in the fun.

Have you found a creative way to overcome an obstacle that you experience? As the old saying goes, "where there's a will, there's a way".  What has been your way?

Essential Oils with Children

I have a treat for you today! I have a video to share with you that I believe will give you a new perspective on using natural remedies with your children and grandchildren.

I wish I could put the video on this blog, but it is too large a file, even if it is only 3 minutes long. (https://vimeo.com/91050997) Please take a minute to view the video and then let me know what you think of it. I may be biased, since these are my grandsons, but I believe this video is very well done.

Small children only know what we tell them and share with them. As we use natural remedies and encourage them to try new vegetables, fruits and wholesome foods, their natural curiosity will attract them to follow our lead. I have even bought my grandsons' books that encourage a love for fruits, vegetables and other healthy treats. Edmond's favorite book has been Green Smoothie Magic.

My grandsons are healthy, active and full of life. They don't turn their noses up at kale, cauliflower or cucumbers. They love to have oils rubbed on their feet, hands, ears, and stomachs. They ask daily for their Mightyvites (children's vitamins) and Mightyzymes (children's enzyme supplement) which are made of the highest quality living ingredients by Young Living.

Recently, my son was experiencing discomfort. Here's what my daughter-in-law shared:

Last night Jonathan was (experiencing discomfort) and was laying in bed. Edmond was pretty concerned about him and said "daddy you NEED oiys!" After praying over him he insisted on helping me administer the oils onto Jonathan's back, neck, temples, and forehead. I love that Edmond can help me use the oils because they are completely safe for him, which gives me one less thing to worry about-being chemical free is so freeing!

So if you haven't yet introduced your young ones to some healthier options, why not go back through my blog and find a few smoothie recipes to share with them. Order your Everyday Oils kit and begin using these incredible healing agents with your family. I know you will be as blessed as my family has been. I am here to help you with your order (My Young Living ID#1196107) or with any questions you may have.

Enjoy this spring weather, new growth and the chance to embrace your journey to a healthier today and, for our future generations, a healthier tomorrow.

What natural remedies do you use with your young 'ins? I'd love to know what you thought of the video and to have you share your ideas in the comments below. 

Remember, comments in April could win you an Idaho Blue Spruce or Ocotea essential oil on May 1.

Natural Aid for Sleep Issues

Many people that I speak with indicate that they have trouble sleeping, either falling asleep or staying asleep. Sometimes this lack of sleep is indicative of a hormone imbalance or is the result of heightened anxiety and raised cortisol levels.

Cortisol and melatonine utilize the same receptor sites. When cortisol levels are too high, the melatonin is not able to do its job because cortisol is hogging the receptor site. Cortisol is a reaction to our fight or flight anxiety response, is raised by coffee and other caffeinated drinks and can be affected by our use of electronic devices or high energy TV shows or negative news broadcasts right before bed.

If you have problems with sleep, you may want to try a few natural options.  Peace & Calming essential oil blend has been very effective for settling down a racing mind (or toddler). It helps relax the mind and body on a cellular level. Just rub a couple of drops on wrists, the bottom of the feet or on the back of the neck.  Cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. Peace & Calming has also been helpful for relieving restless leg syndrome for several people I know.

Other great oil blends from Young Living are Tranquil and Stress Away. Of course, Lavender is a great oil to mist on your pillow before bed. This one oil improved my own sleep dramatically. I was waking up 3 or 4 times a night until I started using YL Lavender before bed. After my first use, I slept straight through the night and have ever since. Interestingly, before I knew about Young Living oils, I purchased lavender oil from a local healthfood store and twice it prevented my being able to fall asleep. I lay staring at the ceiling for two hours. Needless to say, I never used that lavender oil again.

Idaho Balsam Fir is an oil that is thought to lower cortisol levels within minutes by putting a drop or two under the tongue (sublingually) and holding it there for several moments before swallowing (or washing it down with water). It has a strong taste, so be prepared, however I have found that it works great for me. I have used it during the day when I feel myself getting anxious because of a stressful situation or because of deadlines and demands. Suddenly I am calm and focused again.

One of my Young Living distributors was sharing with me how her friend suffers from anxiety and racing thoughts when she tries to go to sleep at night. She has been taking medication to help her sleep. After hearing about Cortistop, a supplement from Young Living with natural Pregnenolone, DHEA, Black Cohosh and various other natural ingredients, including essential oils, my team member recommended it to her friend.

Using Cortistop as directed, this woman found that she was not restless and could fall asleep, and stay asleep without a problem. After years of struggling with unwinding and stopping the "wheels from turning", she is getting peaceful, restorative sleep.

Getting better, deeper and more restful sleep can have a domino effect on the rest of a person's health as the body heals, adjusts, detoxes and balances during the fourth stage of sleep. According to Web MD, in an article titled Coping With Excessive Sleepiness, at the deepest sleep levels, "the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds bone and muscle, and appears to strengthen the immune system." 

The article also stated that too little sleep may cause:

• Impaired memory and thought processes
• Depression
• Decreased immune response
• Fatigue
• Increased pain

If there are natural remedies for sleep, and they work effectively, wouldn't it make sense to try these remedies first. Improve your sleep, boost your health, all at the same time. Genius!

What do you do to improve the quality of your sleep, naturally?

Walnut Cranberry Chicken and Banana Chips

The title of this post may be just a bit misleading.
I suppose you could put the banana chips into the walnut, cranberry chicken, but that's not really what I have in mind.

I just thought that I would share a few fun, easy ideas for eating unprocessed, healthy meals and snacks.

In just minutes, this dinner comes together and has been a huge success with my family and friends. Add dehydrated kale chips (see previous blogs) to a side salad of romaine lettuce, red peppers, cucumber, avocado and a few walnuts, to compliment this weeks chicken recipe.

While the dehydrator is running for the kale chips, add some very ripe bananas that you need to use right away by slicing 1/8 inch thick and placing in a dehydrator at 110 degrees for 6-8 hours or until dry and chewy. You may want to peel them up and flip them over after 3 hours of drying. Let cool and put in a ziplock bag to throw in the car for an on-the-go snack or put in a desk drawer at work for a mid-morning snack. Eat with a few raw almonds for a balanced treat.

Walnut Cranberry Chicken
This recipe is for two to three people, so double for more mouths.
I use organic options, whenever possible.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast
(organic, grass fed, antibiotic free)
1/2 to 1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped in small pieces
1/4 cup unsweetened, organic cranberries
(I freeze them at Christmas when they are on sale and easy to find)
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 drops YL orange essential oil
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp sage
1/2 tsp celtic sea salt
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts

Mix onions, celery and cranberries in a glass baking dish. Mix orange and lemon juice and pour over mixture. Add drops of orange oil and mix. Rub the chicken breasts with the olive oil and lay over the onion mixture. Sprinkle sage and salt over the top. Cover tightly and cook for 20 - 30 minutes at 350 degrees or just until center of chicken is no longer pink. Top chicken with walnuts and serve with a side salad and raw or grilled asparagus, if desired.

Variations: Add orange pieces to garnish. Add a Tbsp of agave nectar or honey for a slightly sweeter taste. Apple chunks would add sweetness too.

What are your favorite quick, healthy spring meals?

More Than Chocolate Bunnies and Easter Eggs

Easter Sunday! A celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead.

Do we realize what this really means? I am sure I don't. My limited mind just cannot really grasp what it means that God came down to earth, into our mess and pain, and voluntarily allowed himself to be mistreated, tortured and then brutally murdered.

I don't willingly, or even graciously, put up with mistreatment or even misunderstanding. I don't like to suffer and avoid it whenever possible. I don't think I would willingly trade places with someone in a third world country, letting them have my comfortable home while I took their place in a mud hut, or worse yet, in a war torn country.

In my limited, childlike brain, I just don't get it.

And yet my heart tells me that this is true and that it took incredible, personal love for God to choose to do this... for me. I am humbled. I am amazed. I am grateful.

Of course, the story doesn't end with death and a tomb. The resurrection follows, the unexpected life that takes everyone by surprise. The joy that fills the hearts of His mother and His closest friends. He is alive again! Death and suffering no longer have the last word.

He came for you too. He freed us all from a life filled with sorrow, pain and hopelessness, to let us know that He cares. He has freedom and joy for each of us.

We may still suffer. We may still experience hardship. But we will never go through it alone. And we have a model for living a life of love and sacrifice and self-giving that is truly empowering and life giving.

There is the paradox. That it is in dying to ourselves, giving up what we often think we need in order to be happy, to experience real joy and freedom. I can be incredibly happy, even though life isn't perfect. I still don't understand, but I have experienced this and I believe.

May you experience His love for you in a personal way today.

May you have a joy filled and blessed Easter day!

Good Friday to You!

Today is Good Friday and so I am wishing all of you a very blessed day and a Happy Easter on Sunday.

This is a great week of reflection and celebration. Feel free to share whatever is on your mind today, as it relates to health of body, mind, emotions or spirit. I am sure we will all be blessed by your sharing.

If You Keep Doing What You Did...

I know I make this statement often,

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

It is such a true statement. One definition of insanity that I learned in my counseling classes and in other workshops is "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Another way to phrase this is "as you sow, so shall you reap."

If I plant corn seeds, I certainly can't expect to get tomatoes in late August. If I consistently harbor negative thoughts, I probably won't attract many people to want to spend time with me. If I am too busy to take time for meditation, prayer or reflection, then I will probably lack peace and feel very scattered. If I dwell on the past, I will probably have trouble taking advantage of all the opportunities in the present. If I consistently eat foods that I know trigger acid, indigestion or inflammation, then my health is not going to improve.

This is one reason why diets just don't work. Sure, I may be able to get the weight off by changing what I eat and restricting my calories, but as soon as I go back to what I had been doing, I am going to return to my pre-diet weight and health.

Remember another of my favorite sayings from Darren Hardy?

"Small, seemingly insignificant, moment to moment choices consistently chosen over time, yield big results."

So maybe the real insanity is not making the small choices that could be so simple, choices like:

• Smiling more often throughout the day to improve my interactions with others. 
• Adding something healthier to my diet and removing something that triggers problems in my body. 
• Starting each day with 10 minutes of prayer or meditation. 
• Listening to uplifting audio programs in my car as I drive places. 
• Keeping a gratitude journal to help me focus on the present and be thankful for today's blessings. 

Do any of these seem that difficult? What is one area of your life where you have been living "insanity"? What simple step could you take to begin to bring about change in that area?

Salads and Sweet Potato Treat

Spring Salads are a fun mixture of baby greens, early veggies, such as snow peas or scallions, and whatever else you'd like to add for color, flavor and texture. Just take a basic blend of lettuce greens and get creative with your toppings.

Basic Salad Ideas

Spring Mix, spinach and baby Romaine

For a Veggie salad add:
Sprouts
Colored peppers, sliced
Mushrooms, sliced
Grape or cherry tomatoes
Cashews
Garbanzo beans
Avocado

For a fruit variety:
1 ripe pear, sliced or strawberries, sliced
Almond slices or pine nuts
Gorganzola or feta cheese (optional)
Sprouts or Kelp noodles

Use a homemade balsamic vinegar and oil mixture or a sesame ginger oil and vinegar mixture.

Sweet Potato Treat
Sweet potatoes scrubbed, pricked, and baked at 375 until soft.

Saute lightly and add to cooked, split sweet potato:
Onions
Spinach
Mushrooms, sliced

Top with
Avocado slices
A squeeze of lemon
A dash of cinnamon or cayenne pepper

What have you created recently that you can share with us?

Your comment could earn you a Blue Spruce or Ocotea essential oil blend.

A Little Humility Goes a Long Way

This week has been a bit humbling for me. It started off with a friend taking the time to share an insight with me about a way that I was responding to life that was not particularly fruitful. After the initial ouch, I tried to be open to what she had shared. I was amazed to see the door of revelation swing open and the realization dawn that some of these patterns of relating have been a part of my life for a very long time. 

Perhaps they started as ways to protect myself or to control my environment so I would feel safe. They no longer serve me in useful ways, so now begins the process of uprooting them like weeds in a garden, and replanting healthier behaviors that will one day bear the fruit of trust and joy.

The week continued with more growing pains as God lead me into new waters and onto new adventures. All throughout the week, despite pain and disappointment, God kept reminding me that He is my Father and He loves me and is always with me. He created me and, to Him, I am priceless. I can trust Him. He is faithful.

Driving down to NC and SC to visit my son for his birthday and my sister and her family, I was listening to a CD by Chris Tomlin. As his version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) began to play, I found myself weeping with gratitude. God has poured out His grace into my life, even at times when there is pain and humiliation, which can become humility if we let it. I can trust Him that He only gives love and so all things will work together for my good and the good of those I love.

All things will work for your good too!

Here are a few of the verses that touched me most:

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy reigns

Unending love, amazing grace 

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

Do you have an experience of God's grace that you would like to share? Is there a song, scripture or quote that speaks to your heart?

And this little piggy said...

What will you do for fun this weekend? 
Why not find a way to share a healthy laugh with someone.

It's your day to share! 
Go ahead, make my day.

And Happy Birthday to my son, Daniel!