Tag Archives: Women’s Health Issues
The Doctor Is In
Today, we have Dr. Anca with us for some insight on the sweetener, Splenda. As you read her take on the widely accepted replacement for sugar and visit the resource Web site she recommends, consider your own nutrition and the amount of sweets or sugar that you consume on a regular basis. Know that excessive craving for sugary foods can be a symptom of many imbalances and conditions. Keeping a food diary will help you recognize any patterns or craving triggers. Take one step today that will bring you closer to true health. Tell us about your efforts.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
The Truth about Splenda
By Dr. Anca Lamse, MD
The New Yorker magazine published an article in 2006 entitled “The Search for Sweet.” In that article, the author describes how this artificial sweetener (Splenda) was initially intended to be an insecticide (it contained chlorine atoms; DDT and other insecticides contain chlorine).
In 1975, the young Indian chemist working with this substance tasted it and found that it was sweet.
(He misunderstood when he was told to “test” it, so he “tasted” it instead.)
You can go to your local library and get the full article, but the few paragraphs below (see link) should give you an idea about what kind of substance Splenda is. After you read it, decide for yourself if you want to eat it.
Stevia is a more natural alternative, but you still should use it in moderation. We simply were NOT meant to eat sweets all day long (fake OR natural).
How much candy do you think the primitive man had available to eat?
Well, our genes have not changed much, so our bodies cannot deal with eating lots of sugar. Diabetes, (which is aging in fast-forward), cancer, and other diseases are more prevalent if we eat too many sweets. The more sweet stuff you eat, the more you crave it. You will not crave it as much if you stay away from it for a few days.
Enjoy the reading.
***The content of this post is not intended to replace professional advice from your health care provider. Women’s Life Link, it’s authors, associates, commentators, or linked sites do not claim that any information will diagnose, treat, improve, or cure any disease or condition.
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Yogurt and High Fructose Corn Syrup
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
WellnessWednesday
I’m a firm believer in the body’s ability to heal itself. If any part of you – body, mind, and spirit – is missing an important component to thrive, it will certainly let you know in the fastest way possible. This may include pain, low energy, insomnia, headache, confusion, extreme emotions or any number of distress markers that we usually notice…real quick. The fact is, you can’t ignore any portion of your self if you want to be in top health.
According to Dr. Colbert, MD, author of The Seven Pillars of Health: The Natural Way to Better Health for Life, incorporating the seven core principles (pillars) of health will “liberate” and help you “withstand the storms of life”; such as, “diseases, attacks, and injuries.” A veteran physician for more than twenty-five years, Dr. Colbert bases his practice on the basics of human existence and the regenerative capabilities we all have.
Let’s take a look at the first Building Block of Health: WATER
Numero UNO and one that I will scream from the mountain tops till the day I die: DRINK ENOUGH PURE, CLEAN, ALKALINE WATER…8-10 glasses a DAY, not a week. If you only knew what happens inside your body when you don’t hydrate yourself…OK, I’ll tell you: It goes into “emergency” mode, rationing precious water as though it will never see adequate hydration again. Your body has to keep your vital organs (heart, lungs, brain, liver, kidneys) functioning at their best in order to “save” the body from destruction – our own private FEMA. The result is that any number of “symptoms” appear due to the lack of lubrication in the non-essential parts of the body. Usually not life-threatening but these dehydration side effects are definitely disturbing to your life and happiness.
Acid -vs- Alkaline
Many of you may never heard of the acidic/alkaline factor that governs the chemical make up of our bodies. Here it is is layman’s terms: when your body ingests acidic foods and liquids (including water) the pH level becomes acidic. FYI: the neutral pH factor is 7. Anything under that leads to poor health; anything above leads to better health. Why is acidic bad? The answer is very simple: disease lives in an acidic environment. Yes, disease; the kind that kills and destroys. The good news is that you can change the environment of your body with alkaline foods and water.
Accepting Water’s Life-giving Gift
OK, you now know that you need water, as if you didn’t know that before. Oh, but wait…then why don’t you take advantage of actually drinking enough of it? Good question. I have no answer other than most humans are lazy and won’t do anything they don’t want to do. Having said that, let’s move on. Water The right kind of water has the potential to literally change your life. By ingesting special alkaline versions of the most important thing to human survival, we can create paradise for our body systems…well, an oasis at least. Companies like Egnatic, makers of the Kangen water system, have decades of research behind the claim that the consumption of their alkaline water can “help eliminate toxins, hydrate more cells, and provide an easy source of antioxidants” and thus bringing better health.
Though the Kangen systems are pricey, “consider the cost of medical care, prescriptions, surgery, and what you pay for bottled water on an annual basis,” said Kangen distributor, Janet Keller, as she brought me my first four gallons of the converted water she got from her personal in home system. Yes, I’ve been drinking it for well over a month now and have had some remarkable results. Inflammation in my elbow from overuse (blogging) has since disappeared, I’m sleeping better, and have not had a recurrence of the Chronic Daily Headache that plagued me for years. I can’t say for sure that the changes were completely due to the change in water, but it’s fair to say that it had something to do with it.
If you would like more information about alkaline drinking water or the Kangen system, contact Janet Keller at: skeller154@aol.com or visit the Web site, www.KangenCleansingWater.com.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
***Because we are Amazon Associates, should you plunk around on the link for Dr. Colbert’s book, and decide to buy it, we will happily receive some coinage from the Great Wizard of Oz…er, Amazon. Thanks for your support.
***The content of this article is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your health care provider. Women’s Life Link, its authors, associates, linked sites, and commentators do not claim that any of the content will diagnose or lead to a cure or improvement of any disease or condition.
If you liked this article, you may also enjoy the following:
Getting Healthy But Feeling Bad
The First Five Things You Need for Health
Why Am I On Them In the First Place?
“According to a government study, antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. They’re prescribed more than drugs to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or headaches. In its study, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at 2.4 billion drugs prescribed in visits to doctors and hospitals in 2005. Of those, 118 million were for antidepressants.” (source: CNNHealth.com)
It is no shock that of those millions of patients, many either don’t really need the meds or are being used as “experimental” subjects to determine if the drug will help conditions other than depression. It is in this fact that one has to be careful about not only starting an antidepressant but getting off of one.
Dr. Kelly Posner, assistant professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, is convinced that the incline in these types of meds is “encouraging” because people are not hesitating to ask their physicians about the sensitive topic of mental health. On the other hand, Dr. Robert Goodman, an internist in New York City, believes that it is the “marketing” of pharmaceutical companies to physicians and consumers that is driving the numbers up. If you think about it, do you remember seeing medication ads on TV and in magazines twenty or thirty years ago?
How Do I Know If I Still Need Them?
The question remains one that first should be addressed to your healthcare provider for your own safety. If and when it is determined that you are physically and mentally in a place to attempt separation from your medication, the method can then be set. Keep in mind that various drugs have criteria for abatement due to the “withdrawal” symptoms that can be mild to life-threatening; this depends on the patient and the medication type.
Think about “why” you were put on the medication in the first place: was it for clinical depression or for temporary mood swings associated with your cycle? Was it a “just in case” approach to smoothing out the rough edges of life? Understanding the seriousness of your condition is the key to successfully discontinuing any type of drug. It may be that you are past a point of grief, unstable events, or other physical condition that pushed you into a temporary form of depression. In this case, you may be ready to change or discontinue use altogether. Knowing your specific body and mental changes is the most important thing you can do for yourself when considering any shifts in your care.
What are the benefits of stopping your antidepressants?
♦ Side effects will go away and bring about a more normal sense of being.
♦ You will no longer have the expense of the drug.
♦ Your kidneys, liver, and other internal organs will be healthier.
♦ You won’t have to consider drug interaction risks.
♦ You will have the opportunity to “feel” what your normal is and determine any life-changes that need to happen.
♦ If you are taking them for a condition other than depression; such as, Migraine, PMDD, chronic pain, etc., you can explore other treatments that won’t tax your system as much.
What are the risks of stopping your antidepressants?
♦ Depression could return.
♦ You could experience withdrawal symptoms that range from mild headaches to seizures depending on the drug and the patient.
♦ If you are not ready to discontinue your meds and do, you could risk your mental health treatment taking months or years longer.
In order to successfully stop any medication, you must always take care in discussing it with the prescribing physician. If you have changed doctors or are seeing a natural physician, transferring records and detailing your symptoms will be helpful. Changing anything that your body is used to will be challenging and, be aware that it may not “feel” good to do so. It could, however, lead you to alternative therapies or drugs that suit your needs more effectively without putting your health at risk. For more information on depression, antidepressants, and alternative treatments, please go to the following Web sites:
***The content of this post is not intended to replace professional advice from your health care provider. Women’s Life Link, it’s authors, associates, commentators, or linked sites do not claim that any information will diagnose, treat, improve, or cure any disease or condition.
Related articles you might enjoy:
Photo by D. Cruz
I’m Madeline, a forty-something woman who takes life by the horns…but I don’t take the bullshit that often comes with it. I tell it like it is…to your face. My philosophy is simple: be yourself, laugh often, make others laugh, and Be Happy Already!
OK, my darlings, I might have to re-neg on last week’s post about trying to make peace with Mondays. I’m in a rather stinker of a mood today and have no time to run from it or hide under my fluffy blanket. So, here I am with my jaw clenched, making no sense, facing the music…Monday and the computer.
If only ice cream and chocolate would make it all better like it does for the little ones and women much, much younger than I. Instead, I would just get indigestion and a fat ass (excuse my tone and choice of words); I’m trying. Just so you know, I’m in the middle of a cleanse, detox, the raw reality of turning your entire body inside out…or so it seems. As to the other source of my untimely funk, I can only blame it on the wonderful world of womanhood. What can I say? I’m not a real fan of cramps, zits, and weight gain.
Who is?
Love,
Madeline♥
IntrospectiveSunday
Ah, those wonderful – and cursed – emotions, earning the right to compete with the most thrilling and frightening of roller-coasters. I’m not talking about the extremes that would land you a bi-polar diagnosis, no, just the ordinary ones that take you from one day to the next; the ones that may, on occasion, make you question your sanity but are benign…for the most part.
OK, so I’m really not an advocate for negative emotions, but I do see that Alex Tan has a point with the above quote. Think about how boring and flat-lined life would be if we never felt anything but one constant emotion…like a really bad amusement park ride. When we cry, hurt, feel fear, disgust, anger, we are experiencing life, ours. We must own it. Feeling pain of any sort is not a curse but a gift to let us know that something isn’t right.
There is a condition called CIPA or congenital analgia that renders its victims unable to feel any pain. Sound divine? Think again. Though extremely rare, those affected usually end up dying before the age of 25. It is dangerous, especially for children, to not feel pain as it is the primary way we sense threats. I want you to consider this when thinking about “why” you might feel emotional pain one day and joy the next. We need that type of stimulation to understand what is good for us and what is not. Additionally, the obvious emotional “swing” is also a survival mechanism for our bodies. If our mood never changed, we would eventually enter into a life-threatening place of either severe depression, anxiety, anger, or even elation. Balance is the key.
I get emotional about things that I can’t change in my time (one of my weaknesses). However, I’m learning how to evaluate through feeling into the emotional feedback my soul is dishing out for any given day. It works to alleviate most of the despair and puts me on a higher level of understanding of myself and my place in the world. It beats feeling frustrated all the time.
Those “ups and downs” are not really bad for you, well, unless you keep repeating the same scenario a million times. Try using emotions as a springboard to life-lessons, remembering the worst thing is to not acknowledge them as vitally important or as warnings. Consider also that any constant emotional changes could be linked to hormones and brain chemicals as well; either case, they are red flags meant to grab your undivided attention. Seek medical/psychological help if you need it, by all means. Otherwise, go with the feelings, without being hard on yourself. Emotional balance takes time and practice.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
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Let’s focus for a moment on all the campaigns that affect our lives, how they help, how they hurt, how they need to be changed. Ask yourself this: what campaign would I start if I had the chance? Really. You ladies are smart, vital contributors to our world; I have confidence that you could make a difference in your chosen topic or need-based project. Here’s a couple “dream” campaigns written as though they had already made an impact on the country.
Pro-Dad
By Maryanne Comaroto (Relationship Expert, Author, Coach)
“In an effort to create a situation where children are raised by parents who understand their roles and work together equally to teach children how to get along in the world and love themselves, men and women all over the country are embracing their responsibility on being honest and clear about why they are having sex. Men are coming to realize how their role is to be present to help their children understand the world around them, how to survive, and how to get along with others, while the mother teaches the kids about loving and respecting themselves. It is only by working together that parents can give everything that the child needs, both emotionally and physically, and as people are suddenly becoming aware of this, the abortion rate has plummeted.” More Maryanne at Maryannelive.com.
Get A Clue: Real Healthcare Reform
By Kellie R. Stone (Journey Coach, Writer, Blogger, Mom)
“The amazing changes in our health/disease statistics are nothing short of a miracle since the “Get A Clue” campaign started a revolution in the healthcare industry. We are experiencing a new America where people are living longer, doing more, taking less medication, eating wholesome, chemical-free food, and making lifestyle changes that make a difference. At the grassroots of this incredible movement are families, physicians, educators, farmers, and brave media professionals who spent countless hours, even months, to make sure that the country received the proper education in true health practices. When millions took a stand against the obsolete healthcare system, the wheels turned quickly, driving a following of virtually every health-oriented company. It’s made the whole industry take notice and change that which previously only kept American citizens ill and in the dark. Now, we can look forward to healthier generations and the best America to date.”
Here are some links for more ideas…
Combat Gender Bias On National Women’s Health Week
More and More Young Girls Using Makeup
I’d like to see this be an ongoing topic for Women’s LifeLink. Please tell us about your “Change the World” campaign. Even if it’s just an idea, we’d love to hear it.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
WellnessWednesday
Home is a place where dreams are dreamed, relationships thrive, children are reared, and all that really matters transpires as our life journey. I truly believe that making this sacred space more peaceful and harmonious will inspire more of these precious moments. I’ve seen the results in my own home when I’ve paid attention to the energy patterns (positive and negative) throughout.
“Decorating is like music. Harmony is what we constantly strive for. At home, we want a peaceful atmosphere where the objects are the notes and nothing is off-key.” ˜Charlotte Moss, from A Passion for Detail
Last week I touched on a design concept called Elements that I developed with a friend a few years back. I touched on the healing affect of color and lighting – one part of the holistic approach the concept delivers. I’m happy to share another tip with you, as it all works together to create a healthful environment for you and your family.
Bedroom Bliss
As one of the most sacred of spaces, the bedroom has the potential to bring peace and serenity or ill-health and distress. I’m only scratching the surface of how important it is to have balance in this area. Focus on the actual sleeping space of the room first. How does it make you feel? Relaxed. Happy. Stressed. Elements Design is primarily based on emotional response; therefore, it’s important to “feel” into your space.
Ask yourself what it is that brings the “feeling”. If you find something negative, change it. How? If it’s a color that is disturbing, that’s an easy fix. If it’s clutter, clean it up. If it’s mental distraction, replace those items with symbols of peace, nature, love, etc.
The other thing to remember is the purpose of the bedroom. It’s a place of rest, intimacy, solitude, or relationship-building with your significant other. So, what emotions do you want to feel considering the purpose of the room? I see so many examples of master bedrooms that fall short of being a couple’s haven. Here’s why:
1. Having pictures of the children, in-laws, friends, and people other than the couple can put a damper on intimacy. Seriously, how can you get your “groove” on with mom staring at your bare rumpass or the kids smiling down on you from above the bed? You get the picture…pun intended. Instead, place meaningful shots of you and your honey where you can see them from bed. Other relationship boosting photos include, nature, nudes, animals, and inspiring words.
2. Working, exercising, and watching TV are all distractions from sleep and romance. They require a completely different intention and energy to perform, that which confounds your ability to rest and relax. Ideally, the only things you should be doing in bed are sleeping, having sex, or any other peace-giving tasks; such as, reading, meditating or praying.
3. It’s the catch-all for the home. If your bedroom is anything like mine, it can accumulate stuff like a country flea market. The kids leave their clothes, toys, papers, and trash all over the floor, bed, and dresser; the mail piles up on the nightstand; even the books can overwhelm…yeah, all the ones you say you’re going to read but never get around to. Got that pile…
4. Too much arguing and fighting can put a damper on everything life-giving and positive. Try not to talk about money, problems, or negative events while in your bedroom. A good alternative to all the strife is talking about your dreams, times of peace, romantic trips you want to take together.
5. Not enough sensual stimulation in the bedroom can make you feel bored or unfulfilled. Realize your need (and your partner’s) for a heightened experience that involves sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. This translates to finding ways to bring these elements to your decor. Stimulation, however, needs to be subtle enough that it doesn’t prevent you from sleeping. Soft music, serene colors, gentle aromatherapy, comforting textures, and even the peaceful lulling of hot tea at bedtime can - and will -enhance your sacred space experience.
Remember to work on these changes as you can; don’t feel like you have to do everything all at once…unless you want to. When you complete the transformation of your bedroom, be mindful of how it affects your sleep, love life, health, and emotional state. I’m a believer that when you change your environment, you change your life.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Other books you might enjoy:
Peaceful Spaces: Transform Your Home into a Haven of Calm and Tranquility
Private Places: Creating a Peaceful Space of Your Own at Home
***Because we are Amazon Associates, if you plunk around on the above book links and decide to buy them, we will be endowed with some pocket change. Thanks for supporting Women’s Life Link.
WellnessWednesday
Welcome to Women’s LifeLink! Just a quick shout out to Tammy at A Mom In Red High Heels;she has posted a site that is donating $20 to the American Diabetes Association when you order flowers for Mother’s Day. Please visit her wonderful site and join her in an effort to wipe out Diabetes.
I’ve been tossing around the question: How long does it take to get healthy? My gut tells me several things immediately; first, it depends on what level of health you are seeking and from what point you are starting. Because there are varying degrees of wellness, we have to pay attention to more specific goals in order to get a clear understanding of our progress.
Setting Goals
By selecting a part of the body or system to work on; such as, your energy level, skin, digestion or memory, you can measure your successes by clearly noticing improvements. With this practice, you can gauge the effectiveness of the changes. God knows we can spend hundreds (even thousands) on supplements, therapies, and diagnostic tests that we really don’t need. Choosing professionally recommended lifestyle and nutritional changes as well as needed therapies is the fastest way to achieve a health goal. This advice can come from your health care provider, books, websites, or from any source that you trust. Just remember to take “one bite at a time”.
Let’s say you have sluggish bowels and want to improve your digestion. What things could you do to help process food more efficiently? Keep in mind, whatever needs your body has can be fulfilled. With each action you take there is a reaction in your body; you are a step closer to the big goal of true health.
You might start toward your goal by drinking more clean, quality water (as I have been…more about that later) and make a huge impact on your internal state without really feeling it. However, give it some time; you will notice an improvement in not only digestion but your skin and vitality. It’s easy to see how just one thing can take you to a new level in many areas – a chain reaction.
I’ve talked before about the most important health practices on this site. I advise you to pay attention to some key elements before embarking on some new therapy or taking endless supplements. While all those fancy aids might have a place, if you’re not doing the basics, you’re kidding yourself.
No Quick Fix
Now, back to the question “how long?”… Think about how long it took you to get in the condition you are now. Was it an overnight occurrence? I think not. If it took you a year to pack on that extra thirty pounds and raise your blood pressure ten points, it’s fair to give your body at least that amount of time to reverse the damage. There is no quick fix to the destruction that we heap on our body’s systems. Time, consistency, and knowledge are our best tools for healthful change. Don’t get hung up on the time factor though. The journey is a climb; each bit of effort gets you closer to the top of your mountain.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Healthful Elements
One thing that most of you don’t know about me is that I have a background in Interior Design/Decorating. It was my chosen career for many years before I surrendered fully to my calling of helping women find purpose and life-fulfillment. I still have a love for all things beautiful and for making environments healthful and blissful. In fact, a couple of years ago I developed a design concept with a friend that focused on converting home environments to induce greater physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The program was called Elements Design.
The reason I’m bringing this up now is that I truly believe that with making your living and work space not only comfortable and beautiful but active with life-giving features, you can add to that life-fulfillment I spoke of. Because this concept is still so much a part of my life and has aided in my own health journey, I wanted to share it with you.
Bring a Rainbow Inside
There are several elements to the concept that make it special. The first one involves color, the topic of today’s article. The theory that color affects our mood and even our health is not a new one; however, many people have no clue as to how to use it in this way. You know how you feel when you see a rainbow? Inspired. Joyful. Special. There’s a distinct reason for the elation. You have experienced the seven colors of the rainbow passing through your eyes. This event triggers hormones that actually correct imbalances and create harmony in your body! OK, so how can we get the same “rainbow” love in our homes? I have the answer.
Simple track lighting can be your ticket to experiencing the health benefits of a natural rainbow. All you have to do is affix seven light fixtures and either place colored bulbs in them or find gels in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Hang the track somewhere where you can sit and relax for a nice chrometherapy session. Instant rainbow!
What Does Each Color Do?
- Red – This is the color of vitality. It promotes energy, will power, sexuality, strength, and alertness. It can be helpful for those with anemia, impotence, and low blood pressure.
- Orange – The color of optimism. Useful for building confidence, positive thinking, and energy reserves. Color therapists use it to treat depression, hypothyroidism, lung problems, as well as kidney issues.
- Yellow – Known as the intellectual color. A well known, brain stimulator, yellow awakens latent mental activity. It’s used to aid in digestion, left brain activity, as a nerve builder, and organ cleansing.
- Green – The balancing color. Green is the most predominant color on the planet and is considered the color of nature itself. It is calming and soothing and can aid in insomnia, anxiety, and high -blood pressure.
- Blue – The color of peace. Blue is said to promote feelings of bliss and peace. It is also used to help throat ailments, headaches, migraine, and insomnia.
- Indigo – Known as a color of purification. There is deep healing properties with indigo; such as, total body rejuvenation, cleansing, spiritual healing, and blood purification.
- Violet – A color of higher body/mind/spirit connection. Violet is a special color that brings clarity to our higher mind and can help develop a sense of whole being balance. It is said to bring self-respect and may aid in overcoming feelings of hopelessness.
I love the study of color and the valuable information we can put to use in our lives. Have fun with adding various colors to your home and wardrobe. The best way to discover how you respond to each color is to do an experiment that puts you in front of each one for at least five minutes. Write down your initial reactions (emotionally and physically), and then your concluding ones at the five minute mark. You can extend your exposure time if your lifestyle allows for it. I will talk more about the Elements Design concept over the next few weeks.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be happy!
For additional reading on Chrometherapy, see Holistic Online.
***The content of this post is not intended to replace professional advice from your health care provider. Women’s Life Link, it’s authors, associates, commentators, or linked sites do not claim that any information will diagnose, treat, improve, or cure any disease or condition.
WellnessWednesday
Now that I have your attention, I’m going to give it to you…every one of you. That’s right; we all cheat. We cheat ourselves out of the fulfilling, healthful lives we should be living. And we do it ALL the time! You heard me correctly. Oh, how do we cheat? Let me to count the ways…
1. Have unrealistic expectations of yourself and others.
Face it; you will never look twenty again…ever.
2. Force yourself to go along with the crowd when you know better.
Yeah, I’ve done that social smoking thing…
3. Eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner at McDonald’s…several times a week.
This includes Burger King, Hardee’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Arby’s…
4. Hide the fact that you eat at any of the above so much.
Don’t you know it leaves residual grease odor in the car and on your clothes?
5. Live vicariously through your children instead of experiencing life for yourself.
You won’t break if you go down that slide or ride the roller-coaster…
6. Get attached to the “way things are” even though “things” are bad.
Yes, people do this; I did…
7. Hate your body…any part of it.
It has feelings, you know…
8. Allow money problems to steal your joy.
It will pass…just like all those hours you wasted being worried…
9. Forget to relax.
Every thing does not have to be perfect…
10. Lose weight for the wrong reasons…and then gain it back.
It’s not about the jeans; it’s about health…
11. Choose not to forgive others.
A slow death…
12. Choose not to forgive yourself for all this cheating.
Just let it go…oh, yeah, and stop doing this stuff already.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
As parents, we often worry about our choices that concern our children, what form of discipline to use, how to tell them about sex, how much independence to give. It’s a never-ending challenge to balance the good with the bad. Though all of these things are important, I find myself thinking about something completely different…whether I can be a well parent. Now if you’ve never had a chronic illness, you may not relate to this at all, but humor me.
For over seven years, I’ve had a great deal of time and energy stolen from me by chronic migraine and CDH (chronic daily headache). As if it wasn’t enough to spit in my face, the incredibly rude and annoyingly curt illness has tripped, mocked, and short-sheeted my children. They have learned the emotion resentment (doesn’t go well with the teen years). I have learned how that extinguishes all confidence as a mother.
At times it seems as though they don’t want to hear that I’m improving, afraid that it’s not real or that the relief will only be temporary. I used to feel the same way about telling anyone if I had a good day or even a week. Not anymore, though. I am better; I am stronger; I am going to be a well parent. If it kills me…just kidding.
My physical, emotional, and spiritual growth has been life-changing in so many ways. I’ve searched deeper within myself than I ever have before. My body has a fighting chance to heal, to mend all the flaws caused by chronic pain and endless medication. The momentum has me moving in a direction that is bringing fulfillment, energy, and self-love. I no longer tell my head off or wish that someone would just put me in a coma. Yes, I could write a book called, 250 Ways to Live Without Your Head.
Looking to the future, I see myself spending more time making up for all that I’ve lost…we’ve lost. They may not understand all the trips to the doctor, all the pill bottles in my purse and on my nightstand, the painful injections that “make mommy silly”, or the nights I spent at the hospital, but I hope they know how much I have loved them through it all. I appreciate the times when they did help out a little more or comfort me with a foot rub or just their presence. I couldn’t have made it without them.
I don’t know what this new season of “no headaches” will bring; I don’t know if it will last forever or leave as quickly as it moved in. Regardless, I won’t take any of this precious time for granted. It’s a gift from God…
Thanks for being here.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
More Out of Monday with Madeline♥
I’m Madeline – a healthfully humorous, radically ridiculous, momentarily messy broad here to give you a flicker of joy on the (in most cases) most indignant day of the week.
Monday is like…
…a freight train, you wonder what it holds and it almost always moves too slowly.
Hello my dealings~
I’ve really missed talking to you this week, that is why I HAVE to get my blog up and running soon. You see, Madeline (me) has some spectacular ideas to share with you. But for today, I will be a milder mad woman and speak softly.
Have you ever wondered what “things” you should think about but don’t? Those little odd statements that people spit out, and suddenly you go….humm. Well, here’s a few that I thought you would enjoy…
Here’s To Your Health…or Not
• Try thinking about this one next time you are in the doctor’s office with your feet in the stirrups…half of all physicians graduated in the bottom of their class. Be really careful if your in Bahrain, a male gynecologist can only examine a woman’s private parts through a mirror.
Would you eat out if you knew the things that go on in the kitchen of a restaurant? Here’s just a few…
• Steaks are accidentally dropped on the floor and then thrown back onto the grill. Trust me; I’ve seen this one myself.
• Some restaurants recycle their ketchup by dumping the contents into a large tub daily and refill the bottles to look like new ones. Anticipation…
• Food trays are used…reused…and reused all day long. They usually don’t make it to the dishwasher until closing. Though your food may not touch them, the bottoms of the plates and glasses do, which ultimately have contact with your table and hands. Yuck…that’s all I have to say.
• When those cooks or servers cough they release an explosive charge of air that can travel up to 60 miles per hour…all over your nice, expensive dinner. Oh, yeah, and the average sneeze can travel up to 20 feet.
• Most of the dust you see in the air is made up of human skin cells. That’s some serious exfoliation.
Hat’s off to Sex…
• Sex is the safest tranquilizer in the world. It is 10 times more effective than Valium!
• Males, on average, think about sex every 7 seconds (that is not very comforting if you consider the first thing I said about the doctor).
• Sex burns 360 calories per hour. I wonder which one is cheaper, Viagra or my spin class?
• Women who read romance novels have sex twice as often as those who don’t. Maybe I should stop reading Stephen King so much…
I kind of had fun with this post. Let me know if you enjoyed it; I can always do more. And, of course, if you have anything to add, you know what to do.
Love,
Madeline♥
Photo by Draekko See more of this artist’s work at: Images by Draekko
The Doctor Is In
Dr. Lamse has joined us today to answer a couple of questions. Remember, if you have any inquiries for her or anyone on the author panel, please direct them via the Contact Page. They will be answered here on the site in the upcoming weeks. Be well-be beautiful-be happy.
♥Kellie
Question:
Can money issues affect your overall health?
Answer: By Dr. Lamse
For those of you (us) who rent or have small homes, it is good to know that owning a (big) house is not always paradise. Many of my patients are burdened by their mortgages, and that is affecting their health. It sometimes necessitates anti-anxiety medications. They also cannot take time off work to rest and restore their health, because of the high financial burden they are under. We can become slaves to our “stuff.”
May we be wise in our investments and not stretch beyond our means;
doing otherwise is often detrimental to one’s health.
I am not a financial advisor, so do not take this advise as such; I just want to open your eyes to the fact that improper investments can affect one’s health. Please talk to a qualified professional in this field before taking a major decision about your investments.
Q: Is it safe to microwave food in plastic containers?
A: By Dr. Lamse, Resource: Dr. Weil
I use glass dishes (usually Pyrex) to store food and microwave it. When I’m home, I usually heat up my food on the stove top; at work I microwave it because we have no stovetop (or I eat salads and there’s no need for microwaving).
Check out Dr. Weil’s post on this matter.
Be well.
Dr. Lamse
The Doctor Is In
I am so thrilled that Dr. Terri Hawkins-Fox is sharing today on Bio-Communication Nutritional Testing. She is the founder and owner of Natural Rejuvenation in Indianapolis, Indiana, an expert in mind/body health, a certified massage theripist, and an author. I respect her immensely for her acheivement in the field of Natural Medicine and for her dedication to serving others. Be well-be beautiful-be happy.
♥Kellie
Bio-Communication: Your Body Speaks
By Dr. Terri Hawkins-Fox, N.D.
First of all, you must be wondering what bio-communication is. Basically, it is a technology where a computer sends your body digital stressors and then monitors your response by tracking changes in your skin, more specifically, the galvanic skin response (GSR), a well established biomarker. Proprietary formulas are added to the data that has been gathered by this stimulus-response exchange between the computer and your body. The program then interprets what your body is saying.
Why is Bio-communication Important?
This exciting new way of communicating with the body has never before been possible. It allows specifics that are important to health to be quickly and easily accessed. It’s also an effective way of providing healthcare professionals more detail about their patient’s current health status. This information helps determine which clinical solutions will have the most positive impact in the least amount of time.
How Is It Performed?
The interface between the body and ZYTO’s bio-communication software is the ergonomically designed hand cradle. You simply rest your hand on the hand cradle while the computer sends the digital stressors and gathers your response data. The whole experience is comfortable and painless; most people don’t feel any sensation at all. Usually, patients go to a wellness clinic for testing, or they test remotely by simply purchasing a hand cradle of their own.
Because all ZYTO technology is internet based, it creates a tremendous opportunity for patient/physician communication in the office or at a distance. This is particularly convenient when a consultation is all you need. Maybe you just want to check in and update the vitamins and other natural supplements you’re taking. Once the installation of the software is completed, the patient is ready to start participating in remote sessions with their healthcare professional.
It’s important to understand that ZYTO technology is used to gather information and is not meant to establish medical diagnosis. It does not eliminate the need to visit a doctor and have standard medical care, but it does allow for a more personal interaction between the patient and doctor, and that certainly makes anyone feel better.
How Long Does It Take To See Results?
Different people respond at different rates, depending on a variety of factors. For example, a three year old child with a recent history of illness will respond faster than a sixty-five year old who has had a problem for fifty years. Life-style, diet, physical condition, and trauma are but a few of the factors which play a role in the healing process.
Generally , it takes 4-6 weeks for every year the patient has had the condition. Health conditions the body has not been able to resolve (i.e. a viral imbalance) are “buried”, and may stay in the body for years before the body is able to start addressing the issue. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to hold these unresolved issues in check while the body deals with the every day activities of survival. These unresolved conditions are often responsible for functional diseases in which a person “just doesn’t feel well” or “hurts all the time”. Standard laboratory and diagnostic tests are normal or inconclusive because the illness is sub-clinical, meaning the illness has not progressed enough to spill over into the body fluids. A person can be in ill health without having positive laboratory tests.
Testing is scheduled every 4-8 weeks initially until all the major issues are resolved. A person then has the option of periodic retesting on a maintenance schedule to head off imbalances before they become major health issues.
The body was designed to be well. The beauty of Electrodermal Screening is that it enables you to function at an optimal level and eliminate illness before it occurs. The Chinese have a saying, “You were born to perform”. Electrodermal Screening assists the body in doing just that!
What Is the Patient’s Role?
The patient has the responsibility of taking ownership of their illness. The doctor provides the tools and information needed to deal with any condition, but YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!!! The Doctor does not cure anything. He/she assists in returning the body to it’s natural balance and therefore optimal performance. Certain life-style changes may be necessary to correct these imbalances. These may include:
* Dietary changes * Exercise recommendations * Relaxation and stress reduction recommendations * Detoxification methods
Body Surveys Scanned with Bio-Communication Testing:
*Immune System *Cardiovascular Support *Ear, Nose & Throat Support *Nervous System Support *Allergy Support *Sleep Support *Wellness Support *Fatigue *Weight & Appetite *Respiratory & Sinus *Digestion Support *Hair, Skin & Nails *Vision Support *Pain & Inflammation *Gender Specific Support *Diabetes Support *Food Stressors *Stress & Anxiety *Detoxification *Dental & Jaw SupportThe majority of illnesses are the result of life-style. If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten!
***The content of this post is not intended to replace professional advice from your health care provider. Women’s Life Link, it’s authors, associates, commentators, or linked sites do not claim that any information will diagnose, treat, improve, or cure any disease or condition.
Natural Rejuvenation’s April Special
***For more information about Dr. Hawkins-Fox and the health services she provides, please contact her at (317) 243-3550 or naturalrejuvenation.com. Take advantage of the April 2010 special: One Colonic and one Bio-communication Nutritional Testing session for $119.00. Package available at the special price until April 30, 2010.
Seriously Backwards
Every year we see more and more people become a part of the overweight/obese crowd. The reasons are somewhat obvious when you consider what it is that most humans eat on a regular basis. With the fast food industry thriving and the make-it-fast-at-home one not too far behind, it’s no wonder that 67% of non-institutionalized adults age 20 years and over are overweight or obese. And that number was from (2005-2006).
Keep in mind that there are medical reasons a person might be battling the bulge. Medications, thyroid issues, and immobility may be causing unwanted weight gain. With this escalating number, it’s not the time to point fingers, judge, or set those individuals aside though; we must all come together to help in the fight against obesity before it claims our generation and the next one for good.
What can we do?
We can start by monitoring our own business and that of our families. Start learning better ways in which to cook and prepare meals for yourself and your family. Use every opportunity to show children how fun and interesting it can be to make healthful meals. Well, OK, you have to make it fun, MOM and DAD.
♦ Develop a strategy for the coming year to reduce the number of times you “have to eat out” and prepare unhealthful meals at home. I heard that one of the best things you can do for this “eat out” syndrome is make sure you always clean your kitchen. No one wants to come home to a dirty kitchen and cook.
♦ Don’t buy it…and you won’t eat it! You know how tempting those cookies, chips, pops, and frozen pizzas are. Exit stage left. Now, enter stage right the bananas, tomatoes, cottage cheese, yogurt, broccoli, carrots, etc..
♦ Encourage an overweight friend to walk with you or introduce them to a fun workout that you know they could do. Never assume that they are not working out, though. Many people who look “large” are actually healthy on the inside. I know it’s difficult to understand how that can be, but I’ve seen it before and read the biographies of several athletes who carry much more weight than most of us do.
♦ Make it a lifestyle to eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and keep your life as stress-free as possible.
With some concentrated effort, you can make a difference in your own life and that of those around you. Don’t ever give up on being a healthier you. Be well-be beautiful.
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Seven Healthy Weight Loss Tips