Inspired

Refocusing on Wellness: August 2012

 

 

Hello lovely friends.  It’s August 1st…the eighth month of the year…and the last month of summer here in the northern hemisphere.  When I stop to think about it, I alternate between awe at the speed at which this is happening and occasional flashes of panic that time is “tick, tick, ticking away” so quickly.  I know the only way to slow down time is by living in the moment. (Remember those endless summers of childhood?)  Living in the past or the future is a sure way to speed up the clock.

I’ve been practicing “now time” all summer. A current “tool” that we’re working on with Eloheim (via Veronica Torres) is to continually ask ourselves the question “what is true now?”  It’s an amazing technique which pulls the mind out of it’s old familiar thinking ruts…the one’s that don’t bring peace of mind, have never brought peace of mind, and never will create a peaceful mind.  By asking myself “what is true now?”…the sun is shining on my face, I have a headache, I feel the breeze coming through the window, I’m feeling sleepy, etc…the brain is forced to find and create new neural pathways in a completely different part of the brain. (Using this tool along with a notebook is a powerful way to notice just how many times a day we go back to the same hampster-wheel thinking)

 

 

Like any new task learned, it takes practice. It’s much easier to let the mind run down the old familiar rat’s maze.  I recently learned an interesting fact about the brain…it’s been found by observing MRI’s of brain activity that it uses 85% more energy when learning a new task, than it does when doing a routine task that it knows well.  This explains so much!  Every wondered why you felt so tired when you were learning a new job at work?  Breaking ground on new neural pathways can be really tiring!

 

The wellness change that I made for July was to eliminate potatoes from my diet for reasons I wrote about here.  When I cut out wheat two years ago, I began using potatoes…in all their glorious permutations, as my go-to comfort food. I was apprehensive about eliminating them but told myself I could do it for a month and then add them back if I felt I needed wanted to ;)

I’m happy to report that I went the whole month with nary a potato and didn’t miss them at all, so I’ll be continuing on with this for awhile.  I also lost about 4 lbs. which made me pretty happy.  My intent is to lower my blood sugar and cholesterol levels and the only way to do this without medication, is to loose weight and increase my exercise levels over and above the walking I do 3X’s (or more) a week. 

 

We’ve been alternating our walks between the airport path and Elk Lake which has a 10 kl. path all the way around it.

With this in mind, I had decided that August’s wellness change would be to add some low impact exercise and I thought I’d do this by using a weighted hula hoop.  It doesn’t require much room, doesn’t put pressure on my knees and some can even be taken apart for traveling.  After doing a little research, I found that they’re not recommended for anyone with back issues…which I have.  To be honest, the thought of me trying to keep that hoop up off the floor was a bit daunting anyway!

 

 

So…I decided to increase my activity level with weights.  The ones that I ended up getting, wrap around the ankles and wrists and can be worn while stretching and doing gentle movements, as well as while walking around the house with them on during the day.  I plan to begin using them on my outdoor walks too but I feel very ungainly and clumsy in them right now so I think I’ll wait until I get my “sea legs” with them.  I’ll report back on their effectiveness and ease of use at the end of August.

Should be an interesting month!

Wishing you all a beautiful month of sunshine and good health.

refocusing: wellness – July

via instagram

This not-so-great photograph was taken yesterday afternoon at a demolition garden party…the old house scheduled for demolition sits across the road from us on the waterfront and will be torn down sometime in the next week or so.  It will be rebuilt as a modern home with lots and lots of glass, taking advantage of the stunning views. 

As I stood on the lawn enjoying a glass of wine in the hot afternoon sun, I glanced behind me and saw this chair disappearing into the growth around it.  I reached for my camera phone and snapped the picture, as this melancholy scene will also disappear when the machinery comes rolling in.

 

 

June’s wellness journey was up and down…I didn’t start “juicing” as I had planned as I was away from home a lot and when I was here, I was sick, so…it just was, what it was.  I also didn’t walk much while I wasn’t feeling well but I’m back at it again.  Part of my intent with refocusing on wellness this year is to be OK with the ebb and flow of life.  For me, this means that making good choices is part of a long-term lifestyle rather than a short term goal and June was definitely all about adapting and adjusting.

My July wellness change (#11) has been to eliminate carb's in the form of potatoes for at least a month.  Potatoes have been a bread substitute for me (in the “comfort” sense) and they’re a starch that converts quickly to glucose.

Most of the carbohydrates in potatoes are complex carbohydrates, called starch. Potatoes also contain simple sugars, with glucose being the most prevalent. Because of their rapid effect on blood sugar levels, potatoes have caused some debate among nutrition experts.  (read more here)

This is the only change I’m making for July and I’m committing to it for a month, and possibly more.  Comfort foods are difficult to part with, but I can commit to anything for 30 days…yikes, I even turned down my favourite breakfast sandwich from The Roost Farm Bakery this morning!

 

We’re enjoying summer’s heat and keeping busy outdoors.  Our walks are taking place earlier in the day to avoid the sun, as Molly’s full Shetland coat has her panting if we leave it too late.  We had our first picnic/dinner at the beach a few days ago and yesterday…after almost 3 years…we finished the landscaping in the front yard. Yes! Next job on the list…the studio, but that will wait until we get back from our next trip inland to catch up with my dad.

I hope your weekend was lovely, whether it was sitting indoors enjoying the Wimbledon tennis match or outside, playing in the sun.  Sending hugs and blowing kisses to all of you,

Refocusing (on Wellness)...June

 

A month in and still committed!

(here I am praying for a healthy, if not hard body! lol…this little Marmot was begging for food at a roadside pullout in the mountains, on our trip to the interior last week.

I've been dithering slightly about what changes towards wellness I would make for June.  I had thought of jumping into a liver cleanse diet which would be a fairly intense leap but because I'm traveling and won't be home until next week and then away again later in the month, I decided to postpone that for July.

What I'm going to do instead is begin with a few of the steps that the liver cleanse diet requires, just to ease myself into it.  July (at this point anyway) looks like I'll be home more, which will give me more control over what I eat.

Change #6…juicing...I plan to have one "juiced" meal a day.  I bought a juicer just before I left home last week, so I'm good to go!

Change #7...adding spirulina/chlorella as a daily supplement.  I've used spirulina and chlorella in the past and I know just how amazing it is, so it's just a matter of getting back into the groove.

Change # 8...starting the day with a warm lemon drink.  This is something my grandparents did every day so it's an old remedy thats proved its worth over the years.  You can read about it's many benefits here

Change #9...eliminating dairy. I've been realizing for awhile now that my body isn't happy with dairy, so it's time to say sayonara.  As is was with gluten,  I've been heading this way for some time now so it shoudn't be a huge step. I'm also "sensitive" to soya products so I'll be going with almond milk as a substitute...I quite like it's slightly nutty flavour.

Okanagan Lake on a cloudy day (instagram)

Change #10 – I’ve begun taking Valerian Root for sleep support.  I’ve had sleep issues since my early 40’s when it began as a premenopausal issue.  For about 15 years I seldom got more than 4 or 5 hours sleep a night.  In desperation, I went on a more traditional sleeping aid which I stopped taking this past winter because of side effects.

I know this a common problem for many people and I’ve tried almost every “natural” solution available.  Valerian was recently recommended to me so I’ll let you know at the end of the month how it worked.

It seems like I've added in a lot this month. I wanted to make changes slowly but to do the Liver Cleanse Diet next month, I felt it would be a good idea to integrate some of the steps in this month so that next month wouldn't be too scary!!

Whatever you’re wishing for or praying for or wanting or working toward or planning on or creating in your life…don’t give up…keep going.  The best gift we can give is to encourage, support and believe in each other, so lets keep going!

Sending much love and huge hugs to everyone and thanks for stopping,

Transformation and Refocusing (on wellness)...end of May check-in

Morning Light

(the book lying on the bed was one I picked up at the community center's recycling/resale shop in San Pancho.  Here's To You Jesusa! is a fascinating read based on the true story of a Mexican woman (Jesusa) who followed both her father and husband into war during the Mexican revolution and then later found herself alone and impoverished in Mexico city where she lived until her death in the 1960's)

 

End of May Wellness update

I realized that while I was numbering off the changes that I’ve made in the last year towards a healthier life, I forgot a major one…

Change #5…Last April I began a daily practice of EFT (emotional freedom technique) or “tapping”.  I’ve gone into detail about this here in a separate page so I’ll just quickly say again…it’s been a lifesaver for a chronic-but-reforming worrier like moi. 

As promised I’m reporting back with the results of my May wellness changes.  It’s been a great month and I'm sure the Mexican sunshine helped!

I continued to do the Milk Thistle cleanse while I was away and one change has been very visible.  I had several lipoma’s…two smallish ones and one that was fairly large.  The smaller one has completely disappeared and the larger one has shrunk considerably since I started taking the milk thistle.  I was scheduled to have one removed surgically, but it’s no longer necessary and I’m confident the larger one will also continue to shrink.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading into why this might have happened and what it might mean for other areas of my health. Although there hasn’t been a lot of research into it yet, (there’s no money for drug companies in herbs so as a result there's little research done), milk thistle cleanses the liver which is essential in the healthy functioning of almost every other system in the body.  It's been used for many years in Europe (specifically Germany) and there's been research done there on Milk Thistle, which confirms the benefits that have been known for centuries.

As for the effects it might be having on blood sugar levels and cholesterol, I’m going to give it another month or two and have those both checked out.

 

Putting Out Roots

I also continued to drink chlorophyll infused water but often found it a challenge to get the 6 glasses in every day.  I didn’t take the chlorophyll to Mexico ((I’m always a bit nervous about taking supplements and liquids both a) in my suitcase and b) through not one, but two borders, as we have to change planes in the US.) but I did continue drinking lots of water and I will say it's much easier to do the six glasses...and more...in a hot climate! 

This one is harder to evaluate but I know that both water and chlorophyll are beneficial so I’m going to continue on with it.

 

A Perfect End To Another Perfect Day

So…one month into it and I’m pleased with the results.  I’ll be back in a few days with my wellness changes for June.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

(all of the above photo's were taken in San Pancho, Mx....I haven't been out much with my camera since I returned home so I dug back into the San Pancho archives!)

 

 

Refocusing (on well being)...May

Sweet scented Lemon Balm growing in my garden.  A member of the mint family, Lemonbalm has a beautiful lemon scent and flavour.  I like to put a few leaves in my water or tea.  It's medicinal properties have a soothing effect and reduces stress and anxiety, headache, depression, and exhaustion. Researchers have found that a mixture of lemon balm and valerian is as effective as some tranquilizers, but without the side effects. It's lovely to just pick a leaf, crush it in my hands and smell it's fresh scent for hours.

This month is the beginning of a year of refocusing on my health and well being.  Each month I'll be introducing one or two proactive changes and choices to benefit my health and wellness, as I move forward in life.

I mentioned in a previous post that I've already begun making a few changes in my lifestyle and surprised myself that they're still with me and fully integrated into my life.   The changes so far have been:

Change #1...was made about a year and half ago when I eliminated gluten from my diet.  At the time I wasn’t sure I could go through with this as bread and wheat products were my #1 comfort food.  I told myself I would just do it for a month and could return to wheat if I wanted…but at the end of the month I felt so good that returning to wheat wasn't an option. 

To be completely honest, I went through a mourning for wheat that lasted almost a year!  Wheat products were my psychological/emotional blankie.  Bored?  Grab a cookie.  Anxious? Let’s go out for coffee and a “goodie”.  Happy?  Let’s celebrate with dessert! 

Those days are gone and I’ll never go back.  It took a long time to come to terms with it but I did, and feel SO MUCH better!  I don’t care for most “gluten free” breads or baked goods so I’m not even tempted by them (except, as I've mentioned before, Melinda's yummy GF biscotti!).  If we’re having company I might make a gluten free brownie/ganashie thing which is yummy scrummy but my normal “go to” for a sweet is either fresh fruit, a few raisons, or a  mushy date, rolled in crushed almonds.  If you’re interested in the benefits of being gluten free or if you’re wondering whether it might benefit you, check out the Wheat Belly website or read the book Wheat Belly by Dr. Davis.

 

Change #2...I’ve written many times about the beginning of a regular walking schedule…about 6 kl. (4 mi.) three times a week. It’s a beginning and for me, a good one. I’ve been at it since mid October and I’m still enthused.

 

So what changes are up for May?

 

Change #3...drink more water...green water.

As Kermit the Frog said, it’s good to be green and this seems to be truer that we ever realized.  My 1st change for May is to begin drinking six glasses of water a day.  I know the recommended is eight but I've always found it difficult to keep that up.  Anything will be an improvement, as I don’t normally drink much water and I know it’s really important for flushing toxins from the body.

I'm adding liquid chlorophyll to the water...an easy way to add additional vitamins and minerals to the body as well as an antioxidant. It has a slightly earthy taste but is easily drinkable (it also comes in a mint flavour).

The benefit’s of chlorophyll are many…

• Anti Carcinogenic
• Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: containing high levels of the vitamins A, C and E,
• Chelation of Heavy Metals
• Antiseptic 
• Treats Bad Breath
• Rapid Delivery of Magnesium
• Contains vitamin K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium, protein

You can read more about these benefits here if you’re interested. 

 

Change #4...adding Milk Thistle as a supplement.  The active ingredient in the herb Milk Thistle is Silymarin and it improves the liver’s ability to eliminate toxins from the body.  As well as it's well known properties of cleansing the liver in cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis, Milk Thistle is also known to...

• Lower cholesterol levels, which benefits the heart
• Reduce the growth of cancer cells in breast, lung, colon, prostate, cervical and renal cancers
• Function as a therapeutic agent for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease
• Improve blood sugar levels
• Contain numerous anti-aging properties
• Reduce cell damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy treatments
• Supplement sunscreen protection and may be useful against multiple types of skin disease
• Work as a free radical scavenger and powerful antioxidant
• Reduce hot flashes and other related menopausal symptoms
• Help with intestinal / indigestion issues
• Reduce the effects of deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) poisoning

My cholesterol level is slightly elevated, my blood sugar levels are also slightly elevated and I've had a gallstone for years, so Milkthistle will be a beneficial addition for me!

These are my two wellness changes for May.  I'll post again towards the end of the month to let you know how it went!

 

 Happy May Day my friends!