Of course, there is a place for drug intervention and [...]]]> The severity of drug withdrawal does not differentiate between street drugs versus medical drugs

So…don’t reach for the tranquillizers yet! Other choices may serve you better in the long run. That’s a comment from experience – not a text book. Naturally, I took the harder road first.

Of course, there is a place for drug intervention and times to be grateful for drug options. But, as an initial solution for stress, tranquillizer dependency is an issue long overdue inspection… if not by doctors then by any individual seeking better health.  It’s important to distinguish the difference between stress and anxiety. While stress can lead to anxiety, stress in itself is not necessarily bad. At least, not initially.

In its positive form as a catalyst, stress often initiates action. It can result in our efforts to find a more suitable job or to be well-prepared for an upcoming event. It may lead us to seek new skills or encourage us to change our perceptions. Stress and its more annoying form as anxiety is very much linked to our attitude, to listening and acting upon our inner signals. That can be a challenge for a society so heavily dependent upon external stimulus. With our preoccupation of ‘busy’, denial can creep in without us noticing that we are ignoring inner signals about the need for change.

In that content, it makes sense that stress only becomes detrimental when we don’t listen to the inner clues that all is not well. When we continue to push ahead through adversity regardless of how we feel, our health is often adversely impacted. It may result in a nervous stomach and indigestion or headaches. When not heeded with a lifestyle adjustment, stress may turn into anxiety that translates into poor sleep patterns – and that soon reflects into everything.

We all cope with varying levels of stress but the tendency continues for doctors to prescribe a tranquillizer or antidepressant for just about anything we label as stress. We could say that thirty-five years ago doctors didn’t realize how addictive these medical drugs were, but what would the excuse be today? Apparently we really are getting a dose of ‘learn to think for yourself’, as in question everything offered regardless of the degree on the wall.

Fact #1: No one has your best interest at heart as much as you. The evidence? No one lives with the results but you. Think of healthcare as a business. Inspect suggestions as you would any business proposal unless you have a confirmed chemical imbalance that requires drug intervention to function.

This is to emphasize that medical training targets health through drug therapy or surgery. While a doctor’s suggestions are well-meaning, the question is –  are you at that stage of disease? Is a drug really the healthiest option?

It seems apparent that human physiology and chemical interactions are not studied in-depth within medical training compared to the extensive study of drug therapy and surgery. An elevated cholesterol level is met with suggestion of a drug without questioning which organ is not functioning efficiently and why. A similar example is the quick prescription given for a calcium drug once osteopenia is diagnosed, often without first testing to see where Vitamin D levels are. Without sufficient Vitamin D for uptake, the prescription is a waste of money and effort. Has anyone not yet noticed the one to two pages of cautions that accompany the simplest of drug prescriptions? That takes us back to the topic of tranquillizer options given to those in a medical office seeking help for stress.

With Ativan being a tranquillizer of choice in the early 1980’s that was not recognized as addictive by physicians, it is surprising that it is still used today when Ativan is now well-known as an addictive drug. That should be cause for questions. New drugs appear. But it doesn’t matter if the name is Ativan, Paxel, Zoloft or the latest on the market … people usually relate a similar story of higher anxiety when they try to wean off the drug. Unfortunately, many say they simply cannot do it. The long-term effects of medical drugs prescribed for anxiety and depression have not been studied to determine if the increase in neurological impairments as people age are linked to the common use of prescriptions for neurological symptoms.

The severity of drug withdrawal does not differentiate between street drugs versus medical drugs. Initial months will slowly clear residual from body tissues but additional therapeutic work is needed to access unhealthy mental and emotional patterns and the accompanying repressed emotional responses from the resulting chemical imbalance. That aftermath is well-documented but not well-publicized. For those already on tranquillizers the effort of going through the clearing process permits you to reclaim your life. It’s a process that must be done gradually with the safest outcome being under the guidance of a doctor in agreement or an experienced natural practitioner.

Regardless of your choice to cope with stress or anxiety, an overly-stressed state first begins when our system is either physically or emotionally overloaded. Improvement is so noticeable after we cleanse our metabolism to allow more efficient function of all body systems that inner cleansing and high nutrient provision become an easy initial option to provide a strong foundation for whatever additional methods you then choose.

There are many therapies to help cope with emotional and mental patterns that sabotage wellness. These are safer options for more lasting results than taking a tranquillizer to subdue habitual responses you find unacceptable.

Changing your lifestyle not an overnight process, but neither is drug withdrawal. It is important to note that those with recognized chemical imbalances such as bipolar cannot suddenly stop medication because in some cases it is the drug that enables balanced function. Even in these cases, however, much improvement can be gained by incorporating natural health promoters, including systemic cleansing, under proper guidance.

Comments here, however, are primarily aimed at early anxiety treatment before natural options have been considered rather than those who are tested as having metabolic chemical imbalance. Having said that, it is well-worth researching the improvement children with ADD and autism have been reported to experience from guidance to change dietary habits and to detoxify, in particular, for heavy metal overload which impairs neurological responses.

Options to Explore for Reduction of Stress:

-      detoxification: systemic first, eventually followed by guidance for metal detoxification which should only be undertaken with an experienced practitioner

-      improved diet to nurture the nervous system, the immune system and the digestive system which reflect into all body function

-      exercise: oxygenates all tissues, improves brain function, helps flush chemicals from your system via faster circulation and lymphatic flow

-      new hobbies: keep yourself busy with new, fun activities and meeting different people

-      social groups, support groups

-      adequate sleep: whether 7 hours or 10, sleep according to your body needs to permit rejuvenation of all body systems

-      participate in volunteer activities

-      access counselling

-      meditation: walking can be a form of meditation when done without an iPod. Meditation helps you master your mind habits. There are many forms to help clear mental chaos while returning you to your core values and inner wisdom

-      yoga:  there are many forms of yoga. Ask which focus on breath and body movement versus holding postures. Respiration and muscular activity enhance lymphatic flow which is part of systemic waste removal

-      mantra is ancient prayer in song form that releases tension from the brain and nervous system through use of sound. This is  a non-religious, universal format for health and vitality

-      drumming: an ancient worldwide sound form for balance and release through rhythm and pattern. Consider that grains of sand in a crystal bowl line up in patterns when the bowl is played, from vibration alone. Imagine how vibration can re-pattern your form and mind thoughts to an original and peaceful state. Such is the power of harmonious sound and music!

-      herbs can assist neurological function when done with a practitioner’s guidance to match your requirements and your system

-      various therapies can assist with lifestyle changes and emotional balance: including psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, polarity therapy and lifestyle coaching. Read about these forms to see what attracts you

-      minimize alcohol consumption which is a stimulant; eliminate obvious pollutants like cigarettes and packaged fast-food

-      be open to accepting guidance, you don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Others have walked the same path

This may sound like a handy list and you may think you don’t have the time nor interest. Keep in mind that periods of high stress and anxiety appear in our life when the patterns we are repeating no longer work well for us. A drug merely suppresses the responses to something that is not supportive or healthy, whether alcohol or a tranquillizer. There are many options when you are ready to do the work.

Wishing you the best of health and of life,

How do you feel when you pick up your mail and have to riffle through a barrage of advertisements, flyers and direct mail envelopes that you long ago decided you never [...]]]> and the cleanest solution for you and the Earth!

“every toilet, even in the retail stores, has a bidet hand-sprayer attached to the toilet”

How do you feel when you pick up your mail and have to riffle through a barrage of advertisements, flyers and direct mail envelopes that you long ago decided you never use and don’t want? As annoying as that is, most of us never consider putting a large printed note in our mailbox to say “NO FLYERS, NO JUNK MAIL – THANK YOU!”  That simple message reduces all the paper clutter, the sorting into a recycle bin and most importantly, eventually sends a message that consumers will not support the waste of virgin Canadian forests. Admittedly, it was a postal carrier that finally told me this answer to annoying junk mail. It was that easy!  You’ll be surprised at other destructive and wasteful habits that are this easy to change….and much better.

It’s true that we are learning and improving, as with consumers who now have their own carry-all bag for shopping, helping to reduce the plastic bag overflow in landfills that endanger our wildlife. We see it in those who choose copy and printer paper made from recycled products. It seems obvious that recycled paper for any product, including toilet paper, is the more responsible choice. Stats are showing, however, that the chief concern is ‘softness’. So that’s the focus here….the softest answer. You’re going to love it!

Early this year a Canadian documentary was aired on the subject of toilet paper, describing the vast quantities used by each Canadian every year.  As shocking as it was to hear the figures and of the clearing of wide swatches of ancient virgin forests as a source of toilet paper, the ‘green eco’ label indicated by manufacturers was also disappointing in both the harvesting method and especially the replanting efforts.

It was explained that the eco-labels that make a consumer feel better in selecting a particular product may be doing no more than letting us feel environmentally responsible. The company may re-plant trees on land it has cleared but there is no guideline on what they are planting. No guideline and no one to verify the outcome. The original varied forestland of hardwood and softwood mix is not replaced. Trees planted to replace those ancient mixed forests are usually softwood because it grows faster than hardwood. Instead of nature’s variety, the forest is replaced with one tree species while diversity is lost for both woodland and wildlife that relied on it.

What is the alternative? How could our progressive North America society have missed something softer than the wonderfully soft toilet tissue from virgin hardwood forest?

Let’s consider that when you step out of the bathtub or the shower, would you dry off with toilet paper…. even for your bottom end – or reach for the towel and facecloth? If you get feces on your hand when changing the baby do you wipe it off with a tissue or do you wash your hand? Then let’s ask why we wipe our bottom with toilet paper instead of washing it clean with water ….. like they do in Europe and the other countries where every toilet, even in the retail stores, has a bidet hand-sprayer attached to the toilet. What is softer than water? No need for multiple wipes and no comparison for cleanliness.

Taking it one step further as a therapist, I have met people who cleared irritated bottoms that wouldn’t recover with prescription creams by merely changing their toilet tissue brand. We forget how often companies-for-profit turn to pesticides to ensure a ‘bumper crop’, tainting the source of the product with toxins and eliminating the variety of species within nature that support what is considered nuisance bugs. That’s another great reason to use water instead of paper to clean yourself.

It used to be a matter of space and cost. But today, don’t you need to buy a bidet the size of your toilet. The hand-sprayer version is gradually becoming available in North America, sometimes in a small portable container unit that sits by the toilet to provide warmed water. At this time, our North American water supply to the toilet is too strong a pressure to use with the hand-sprayers used in Europe that attach to the toilet’s incoming water.

Where can you check out these unparalleled designs for bathroom hygiene? Have a look at the incredible selection and varied prices that start in the $200 range, including the Biffy Bidet section that even has a portable ‘Travel Bidet’. Visit:

www.sanicare.com

For more information on paper, where conservation really is today and the latest on ‘green’ news, visit:

www.conservatree.org

Skin is the body’s largest organ with many vital functions, including the protective barrier it provides, its role to help regulate body temperature and the important sense of touch. As a secondary [...]]]> When you’re short on time, an at-home exfoliation treatment is an easy addition to your shower for the health and glow of deep cleaning.

Skin is the body’s largest organ with many vital functions, including the protective barrier it provides, its role to help regulate body temperature and the important sense of touch. As a secondary organ of elimination, similar to the lungs, unusual skin eruptions can be one of the visible signs that inner cleansing or diet changes are overdue. It takes between 20 to 30 days for healthy cells to regenerate, sloughing off old ones as new are formed. A little attention between seasons will help your skin stay in top condition.

An exfoliation salt scrub is purifying, helps to remove dead cell layers and leaves your skin satiny-smooth. The salt is the medium to remove old cells, so either fine-grain table salt or sea salt works well. Mix the salt with a small amount of water to make a thick paste or simply have a salt dish ready to dip damp hands into after wetting your body in the shower. It’s easier to turn the water off to avoid rinsing away the salt scrub before you’ve finished the treatment.

The rubbing motion of your salted hands over your skin exfoliates top layers of dead cells, leaving your skin soft and refreshed. The hint of oil and smooth glide you notice as you rinse the salt off is the natural oil of your skin surfacing.

Adding oil to the salt paste is not necessary and will merely coat your skin with an oily barrier, resulting in less exfoliation from the salt paste and a residual film that hides your skin’s natural oil. Done too frequently, the salt scrub would be drying, but is beneficial at least seasonally or for a special occasion when you’d like your skin glowing. The walnut-shell scrub is an alternative to the salt scrub for more frequent exfoliation.

There usually is no need to use soap after this treatment. If you do use soap, notice whether or not you then have a squeaky-clean feeling instead of the smooth glide after the salt scrub. If so, it means there is a soap residual left on your skin that hides the natural skin oils. You could try a pure liquid soap the next time, preferably with moisturizing aloe content to see the difference.

The finishing touch of a good-quality lotion year-round will help your skin retain its softness. As to the usual reminder of water intake, drinking adequate amounts will help your skin by flushing wastes out through the kidneys instead of through the pores. That just leaves diet and what you feed your skin – but that’s another subject for another time.

We can regain our health by returning to that wisdom. It may entail inner [...]]]> “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”…. that wise comment is thousands of years old, having been spoken by the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, (circa 460 BC – c. 370 BC) and is still a favoured quote.

We can regain our health by returning to that wisdom. It may entail inner cleansing, some nutritional supplements and exercise… but in time, relying on wholesome food as the primary means to maintain a healthy body and mind is the easiest and safest route to health and vitality. So where do we begin?

A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, grains, good fats and protein from food sources that exclude frozen and dried packages. It incorporates fresh raw foods rich in enzymes to act as a catalyst systemically. Enzymes promote natural chemical reactions in our body. This type of nutritious food is the foundation of health because it’s the richest source of nutrients, readily available and recognized by our metabolism. Shopping for nutrient-rich food is at the top of the list for healthy eating and for that reason, it’s important to explore the benefits of organic choices.

People often say that switching to whole, natural food soon results in smaller meal portions that leave them feeling more satiated compared to their previous eating habits. But the first point to address is being sure you can absorb what you eat.

Probiotics:     Uptake of nutrients is dependent upon the health of our intestinal tract, where the largest percentage of nutrient absorption occurs. Healthy intestinal flora is impaired by excessive sugar consumption, with our entire system adversely impacted by artificial chemicals and artificial sugars. This makes it necessary to read the ingredient list on any food item to know if it’s sweetened by artificial chemicals like nutrasweet, sorbitol or aspertame versus natural sweeteners and what preservatives or dyes are included in it.

Eating kefir or yogurt on a regular basis will ensure adequate ‘good’ intestinal bacteria for breakdown of foods. Failing that, a probiotic capsule will do similar. Without the proper flora in your gut, food cannot be broken down for absorption into the bloodstream. The habit of drinking pop on a daily basis will eventually sabotage your wellness as each glass contains an equal of approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar that serves to increase the craving for sweets.

Prebiotics:    these are sugars that feed probiotics. Identified in 1995, prebiotics are not yet as common to find in capsule form as probiotics. They are available in raw foods like chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, garlic, leeks and onion, with lesser amounts in the cooked versions.

Fats:    In the category of good fats, the key is moderate intake. Healthy fats contain Omega 3 in particular, with some Omega 6 and 9.  Fats rich in essential fatty acids include hemp products, cold water fish oils, flaxseed and chia seeds. Flaxseed oil cannot be heated without losing effectiveness and the seeds must be ground to make their nutrients easily available according to most nutritional guidelines. Hemp oil is another excellent option. Health-promoting fats are important for absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K. They are further implicated for prevention of inflammation. Omega 3 fats are additionally important in protection of brain health and as precursors for hormone production. Reducing or eliminating these healthy fats from your diet will obviously impair body function over time.

On the subject of healthy fats, consider the tasty use ghee or clarified butter, coconut oil or olive oil for cooking or baking. These oils have health benefits and flavour. Canola oil cannot rank as a desirable choice today because this is one of the main genetically modified crops, as is corn and soybean oil. Olive oil with its blend of a small amount of saturated fat and larger amount of monosaturated fat, is renowned for heart and arterial health. Virgin coconut oil has not been chemically treated like refined coconut oil, and has no content of hydrogenated oil as with margarine. The main saturated fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid. Lauric acid increases levels of good HDL, the high-density lipoprotein, and bad LDL or low-density lipoprotein, in the blood. This is thought to not have any negative affect on the overall ratio of the two. The capric acid content in coconut oil is antifungal and antimicrobial, with antiviral and other properties still under research. Capric acid is the main component to successfully eliminating candida overgrowth when using natural methods to rebalance the body.

As with eggs, which are one of the most complete foods available, talk about a ‘high cholesterol possibility’ from using either virgin coconut oil or butter would do better to question the promotion of margarine and its hydrogenated oils. Calling margarine healthy contradicts research that shows the detriment of hydrogenated oil with its trans fatty acids that are proven to lower the good HDL cholesterol and raise the bad LDL cholesterol level. Yet hydrogenated oils are still used in all processed foods, including potato chips unless they are the baked variety.

In contrast, widespread studies of coconut-consuming populations in Polynesia show that dietary coconut oil does not lead to high cholesterol nor to high coronary heart disease. This is similar to research eventually proving Italy was a healthier heart nation, despite high consumption of olive oil, compared to western margarine-fed nations. Testing organ efficiency, such as impaired liver and gallbladder function before blaming high cholesterol levels on eggs and saturated fat consumption may prove to be a more efficient practise. In summary, do your research.

Nuts and Seeds:       This important food group deserves mention on its own. As the fruit or seed of trees, nuts and seeds are a powerhouse food. They are an excellent source of health-promoting fat, a source of protein and are rich in fiber. Remember that ½ cup of nuts can be equal to 450 calories but enjoy them regularly as nutritious snack food in smaller quantities or grind them to top a cereal or dessert for their many health benefits. As a protein, nuts are more satisfying and energy-enhancing than snacking on a natural sugar in a fruit or vegetable. This makes them ideal for exams and quick energy needs for mental alertness. Due to their protein content and ability to satiate our appetite, nut snacks can help with reduction of fat intake from excess food consumption.

Chia Seeds:              In the world of seeds, chia seeds are proclaimed as one of nature’s most perfect foods. Twenty-five years ago they were known as the green ‘hair’ that grew on a pottery sheep when you watered it. Today they are a nutrient superfood, containing:

• over 27 vitamins
• more magnesium than a similar broccoli serving
• more omega-3 fatty acid than a comparable serving of salmon
• provide a complete vegetable protein
• contain more iron than a similar spinach serving and are more readily absorbed
• have 5 times more calcium than milk
• contain twice the protein of any other seed or grain
• do not contain gluten

How impressive is that!  In addition to sprinkling them over your cereal, Chia seeds can be used for baking by substituting 2/3 cup of chia meal for one cup of flour. If not available at your local grocery, make chia flour by pouring the seeds into a coffee grinder, a blender or food processor. This will last a week when stored in the fridge but is best freshly ground as needed. Chia flour can also be used as an egg substitute for vegan recipes. Mixed with water, chia seeds form a gel that can be also used as a thickener in baking or to reduce fat requirements in high-fat recipes. There is no nutritional difference between white and black chia seeds, with the main differences being attributed to where they are grown. Chia originally came from Mexico and is still primarily cultivated in South American countries.

With chia seeds providing protein, essential fats, fiber, complex carbohydrates and antioxidants, their many benefits include:

• helping to stabilize blood sugar which results in less cravings and fewer mood swings
• an excellent essential fatty acid source for brain health, fat-soluble vitamin absorption and the many other benefits of healthy fat consumption
• as a protein, provides energy as a complex carbohydrate, fiber, and EFAs
• assisting with body hydration:  chia seeds swell in water, soaking up to 10 times their weight. This results in water cravings and satiates the appetite
• high soluble fiber content assists with cholesterol levels and improves intestinal health
• high protein content provides essential amino acid needs for muscle integrity and overall metabolic function
• nutrient content includes calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, zinc and boron which helps with calcium absorption for bone health
• Chia seeds are gluten-free and make a good substitute for flour when baking for those with gluten-intolerance

Carbohydrates:                   Some weight-loss diets promote exclusion of this food group but in fact, all food components are vital for optimum health. While we may consume a cabbage-based soup for one to two weeks for the initial encouragement of a quick 5-pound loss, it is not healthy to continue long-term on any diet that omits any one important food component

Carbohyrdates are very important as a stored source of energy, as a stabilizing factor for some proteins like glycoproteins, as components of brain cells, to assist in breakdown of fatty acids, as components within our DNA and many other processes within our metabolism. Is it any wonder we binge on carbs if we cut them out for too many days? The fact is, we need carbohydrates for proper energy levels and proper body function.

Simple carbohydrates break down faster for immediate energy. Fruits, natural sugars from dates, molasses, honey and maple syrup are samples of simple carbohydrates. These are natural forms the body can recognize and process.

Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down and are not stored over a long period of time. Both types are needed, with simple carbohydrates better consumed in moderate amounts.

Protein Proteins are amino acids that are essential for health, with the ‘essential amino acids’ being the group that cannot be manufactured by our body. Our requirement for protein changes as we age. Amino acids are readily available in many foods other than meat, fish, eggs and dairy.

Plant sources include whole grains, legumes, organic soy, nuts and seeds or pulses. Archaeological evidence of legume and pulse crops as a protein source has been found in civilizations that date back 5,000 years. As the edible seeds that grow within a pod or legume source, pulses are important food crops due to their high protein and essential amino acid content. They have been found to have significant nutritional advantages, with legume consumption linked to  reduced mortality from coronary heart  disease according to a 1999 study done in seven countries. Pulses also have a lower glycemic index compared to other carbohydrates, making them one of the healthiest protein options for diabetics or anyone seeking weight management. They are high in fiber and protein, low in fat and moderate in calories. Is there any protein that tops these advantages? One cup of cooked lentils or dry peas contains about half of the daily fiber recommendation for adults. The next time your doctor tells you to eat more meat….as one of my vegetarian clients recently experienced, you can start his or her educate on a healthier protein option!

The long list of pulses include kidney beans, pinto and navy beans, azuki beans, mung beans, scarlet runner beans, broad beans, garden peas, chickpeas and lentils, as but a sample of the many pulses recognized today. The selection makes for variety in consumption of beans either sprouted as a raw enzyme-packed topping, cooked and eaten plain with butter and lemon, used in a sauce or dalh over rice and vegetables, as a soup or mashed with chopped nuts to make a ‘meatless protein loaf’ or ‘burger’.

Spices and Herbs:              Incorporating spices and herbs into your food will add much more than fine flavours. Not only are some spices an original food preservative with antiparasitic and/or antimicrobial properties, they are digestive aids that can also be brain and body tonics. Cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg are examples of spices with powerful health benefits beyond flavoring teas, desserts and vegetables. Cayenne is another potent spice example that is still used therapeutically to increase metabolism by influencing our venous structure. For this reason it’s popular for heart health and improved circulation as well as stimulating the digestive system. Herbs like the basils, oregano, tarragon, sage and rosemary were used medicinally for hundreds of years. Today they still provide an array of health benefits in addition to the enjoyment of sensational flavours. Experiment with these wonderful gifts of nature for enjoyable meals and the best of health.

Digestion

Slowing down while you eat allows activation of digestive enzymes that break down food and prepare nutrients for absorption into the bloodstream. Mindfulness of the size of the bite you put into your mouth makes for a manageable portion [...]]]> Conscious eating …. as much as it’s about what you eat, it’s also about how you eat

Digestion

Slowing down while you eat allows activation of digestive enzymes that break down food and prepare nutrients for absorption into the bloodstream. Mindfulness of the size of the bite you put into your mouth makes for a manageable portion you can properly chew. Chewing is a very important part of the digestive process where enzymes are first released. Slowing down for a meal allows your system to function in the way the digestive system, which is part of the ‘rest and repair’ or parasympathetic nervous system, is designed to. This is also one of the best ways to avoid ulcers and extra weight.

Enjoy what you eat

Honour your body’s digestive system and the food that you ingest. Savour the taste, the sight, texture and the smell of your food. Take time to notice how your body feels as you eat. This awareness allows you to appreciate your food and notice your level of fullness before you have over-eaten. Remember that it takes 20 minutes for our stomach and brain to register ‘fullness’. It is not a good idea to eat when you are upset as the digestive enzymes required to process the food will not be released.

Don’t Skip Meals

Good eating habits include regular meals, with breakfast being one of the most important of the day. If a hectic schedule threatens – occasionally – have healthy snack food on hand. While nuts, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables are all excellent for snacks, it’s the nuts, seeds and cheese as protein foods that will provide the most energy and a more lasting uplift

Food Pointers

• Choose fats from health-enhancing sources like the cold-pressed oils from seeds and nuts. Organic is an important consideration because soy, canola and rapeseed crops are genetically modified in Canada and the USA. Avoid hydrogenated fats found in margarines and some oils as the hydrogenation process is now recognized as a health hazard

• Whole grains such as rye, oatmeal, brown rice or multigrains add important fiber to your diet

• Fruit takes the least amount of time to digest. It should be eaten on its own or at the least, eaten first before heavier cooked foods that take longer times to process. Otherwise, the sugars in the fruit may ferment and cause gas or indigestion. Raw fruit contains fresh enzymes and is superior in nutrient content to cooked fruit

• Protein sources from plants are easier to digest than animal protein. When possible, include legumes like lentils, split peas and beans, as well as seeds and nuts in your diet

• Avoid drinking a lot of cold water with your meal. Liquids should be warmed and consumed slowly. Too much water can dilute digestive enzymes and impair digestion

• When possible, select food that is in season and grown locally. The fresher the produce, the more nutrients it contains

• Avoid processed foods as much as possible, including sugary snacks, organ meats and cold cuts which contain both preservatives and dyes. Organic meat shops have cold cuts available that are not full of the chemical content that mainstream selections contain.

Tips to stay on your plan ~

• have a protein-rich breakfast to avoid mid-morning sugar cravings. A ‘green drink’ or a smoothie is an excellent option to start your day, balance blood sugar levels and wake up your brain
• have a cup or better yet, a pot of green tea when you need a boost. It provides one of the smallest of caffeine boosts, is a natural appetite suppressant and also contains immune benefits
• keep healthy snacks on-hand in the car and at the office to avoid calorie-rich quick fixes
• focus on healthy eating rather than eliminating ‘bad foods’. Treat yourself for good eating choices with a non-food reward
• learn a variety of homemade soup recipes to include in your daily menu. To avoid MSG, it’s a necessity to make your own soup or purchase organic options
• when your nervous system feels strained, take extra B vitamins for a couple months by ingesting 2 teaspoons of nutritional yeast every day. Among the many metabolic roles of B vitamins, they are renowned as essential for a healthy brain and nervous system. They are best taken as a complex rather than any single vitamin because they work as a team. Natural sources are whole, unprocessed foods. Highest foods for B6 include a baked potato, bananas and salmon. Lack of B6 may be indicated by an inflamed tongue, tingling hands, depression and mouth sores. B12 is not produced in the human body. We need only small amounts, but B12 is essential for blood formation and a strong nervous system. It’s not found in plants other than being present in the aloe vera plant. Red Star nutritional yeast is a significant source that contains an active form of vitamin B12, is suitable for vegetarians and has a better flavor than brewer’s yeast.

Two early promoters of the link between artificial chemicals that impact [...]]]> A recent study in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine reported that artificial sweeteners contribute to weight gain. Rather than emotional issues as a primary cause, obesity in America has finally been linked to the widespread use of artificial sweeteners and other man-made chemicals.

Two early promoters of the link between artificial chemicals that impact both weight-gain and neurological function include Dr Leonard Coldwell and a retired neurosurgeon, Dr. Russell Blaylock. These are but two examples of medical practitioners stepping up to expand public awareness on results that indicate adverse effects from artificial chemicals increasingly used in our food supply. Studies have also begun in various European research facilities exploring the same issue that apparently causes weight gain and increased body size in both the general populace and newborns.

Ingestion of manmade chemicals, also termed excitotoxins, is additionally linked to neurotoxicity. Dr. Blaylock, author of The Taste That Kills, lists MSG and aspartame within his lengthy list of excitotoxins that impair the brain’s neurons. By adversely affecting the human nervous system these chemicals impact many systemic functions, including a decrease of our intestinal flora that’s necessary for proper digestion. That reflects to everything digestion influences, from skin health to nutrient assimilation and body function. Skin rashes can be one of the early indicators of accumulated toxicity.

Artificial sweeteners have been acknowledged to simulate the appetite after thousands of studies surprised researchers with similar results. After learning that impaired neurological and brain function is also implicated  we can only wonder if research has finally discovered why anxiety and the use of tranquillizers or antidepressants are so commonplace today. Are we on the edge of learning why our memories begin to fade in our mid-thirties, why the increase of neurological conditions like Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease continues, or why impaired digestive function is so common? The implications are huge. Yet sales continue to be strong for diet and low calorie anything.

It’s difficult to pick any one food to avoid because use of artificial sweeteners alone is estimated to be in over 6,000 food products. The greatest offenders include diet beverages and low calorie options because there is no low calorie food that doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners.

This emphasizes the importance of checking the ingredient list of all packages. You’ll notice artificial sweeteners listed with names like aspartame, nutrasweet, saccharin, equal or sucralose. They may have originated from sucrose as a plain sugar but after laboratory changes they all fall into the category of artificial chemicals that our metabolism cannot recognize nor process.  Researchers and respected facilities have reports accessible for anyone interested in this subject so before you buy diet options, this subject could be an important consideration.

The options? Natural sweeteners. Your body recognizes natural, pure food and can readily process it. That means raw sugar opposed to refined sugar that has been stripped of mineral and nutrient content. Natural sweeteners include honey from bee hives, maple syrup from a maple tree, unprocessed brown stevia from the stevia plant, cane sugar from the sugar cane tree. Agave nectar is another natural sweetener, also recognized as the plant from which tequila is made. Natural sweeteners may be slightly more expensive, but using less and knowing our body and mind is being fed healthier food makes it worthwhile.

Overuse of any sweetener, including natural sources, will enhance the craving for sweet foods and result in high calorie intake. Portion control is the only answer, both for sweets and for meal portions. There is no natural food that comes as ‘low calorie’ other than fresh vegetables. Eating wisely means variety, reliance on fresh produce instead of packaged and dried goods, as well as careful selection of sweets and beverages. Reading the ingredient list on every package, bottle or can that you purchase let’s you know exactly what you are feeding your body and your family.

When it comes to brown sugar, not all varieties are an unprocessed product. Natural brown sugar is made by partially refining sugar cane extract, contrasting most brown sugar resulting from the addition of molasses to a fully refined sugar which is now often sourced from sugar beets. And sugar beets are the latest addition of another genetically engineered crop in Canada. Golden coloured natural brown sugar is produced by extracting the juice from sugar cane, heating it to evaporate water and crystallise the sugar, then spinning in a centrifuge to remove some impurities and dry the sugar. It’s also sold as demerara sugar, originally named after its source in Guyana. In the USA, a similar natural golden sugar is called turbinado sugar, after the turbines in which it is spun. Most turbinado sugar is produced in Hawaii and sometimes sold as an organic product.

Check out http://www.naturalorganiclifestyle.com/unrefined-raw-sugar.html to learn more about the differences in unrefined sugars, as from this excerpt….

“Raw unrefined sugar is not the same as the brown sugar that you see in the store, even though they are both brown. Unrefined raw sugar is made from the juice from the sugar cane plant and has trace minerals and nutrients present. Refined sugar is devoid of all nutrients. Typically, white sugar is made of pure carbohydrates. Today, it is common knowledge that refined white sugar has devastating affects on the body and health in general. Besides being a certain way to elevate blood sugar levels, unrefined white sugar is considered to be “empty calories” as it offers no nutritional substance whatsoever.”

Aspartame and Weight Gain

‘A study conducted at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center reported a “41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.” The findings come from eight years of collecting data by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH and colleagues. The results of the study were reported at the 65th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association on June 10-14, 2005 (Abstract 1058-P). While this study, by itself, does not prove that aspartame causes weight gain, it adds to the evidence seen in independent research.’

.