Tag: chronic illness Page 1 of 2

I am grateful for the experience of Lyme. It sounds backwards, but Lyme was the blessing that set me free. It set me free from my old ways of being, unhelpful beliefs, and limitations. I am grateful for the healing tools I learned during the healing process: a new way to use homeopathy, herbs and plants, nutrition and healing with foods, vibrational healing and subtle energy alignment, energy medicine, lightwork, prayer and meditation, mindfulness, and gratitude.

I am so grateful to be healed and I know that if it happened for me, it can happen for anyone, whatever the chronic disease name may be. Accepting life’s challenges and pain with gratitude and curiosity can allow us to open up and receive the grace of healing which I believe is truly offered to everyone who chooses to receive.

Things I learned in the school of Lyme:

1. Listen to the wisdom of the body.

2. Gifts are not always wrapped in pretty packages – sometimes the best gifts of all are in a crumpled paper bag. Gratitude for all things brings true peace and joy.

3. Letting go of the life we planned allows us to accept the better life that is waiting for us; life is a continual process of doing this over and over again. Strength is found when we EMBRACE the constant changes of life instead of pushing against them.

4. I can live without the things I always thought I could not live without – and life without them is better than life with them! True joy is found in letting go of what we think we need, so we can accept the best things.

5. Symptoms are not punishment, but doorways to truth, learning, healing and freedom.

6. God really is LOVE, really is HERE, and really does HEAL.

7. There are no limits except those we place on ourselves. Life conforms to our beliefs. If we belive we are sick and hold onto “the diagnosis” – whatever label it is – we will keep getting more of the same. If we believe we can heal, then we CAN. Healing, living, loving and the love of the Divine have no limits, none at all.

8. “We hold the past in our body – let it dissolve.” ~~ Baron Baptiste ~~ The past can dissolve when we choose love, forgiveness, gratitude, and truth. But we have to really choose it at the deepest level, really choose it in not only thought, but in the fabric that weaves through our life.

9. We are all here in the world with a Divine plan, a soul purpose.

10. I am here, and so are you, to make a difference. There is no better time than now.

Blessings,

Jenice

HOMEMADE PALEO ALMOND GRANOLA

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On May 27, 2014

In Recipes

It’s really hard to find a granola without oats. Even granola that says it’s made with gluten-free oats is questionable. In addition, most granolas are very high in sugar. Therefore, I have put together a recipe with no added sugar that is made with all natural and paleo ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons almonds (soaked*)

2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (soaked*)

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Handful of dried, fresh, or frozen organic blueberries (or other fruit of your choice)

Sprinkle of Vietnamese cinnamon

Pinch of Celtic salt

Add Ons:

Unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk

*Soaking Tips and Instructions:

Soak nuts and seeds:
1. To remove or reduce phytic acid.
2. To remove or reduce tannins.
3. To neutralize the enzyme inhibitors.
4. To encourage the production of beneficial enzymes.
5. To increase the amounts of vitamins, especially B vitamins.
6. To break down gluten and make digestion easier.
7. To make the proteins more readily available for absorption.
8. To prevent mineral deficiencies and bone loss.
9. To help neutralize toxins in the colon and keep the colon clean.
10. To prevent many health diseases and conditions.

Soak your nuts and seeds in water, salt water, or a warm water mixture with something acidic like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Within 7 to 24 hours the enzyme inhibitors are neutralized and the anti-nutrients are broken down regardless of the method you choose. Don’t forget to rinse the nuts and seeds with filtered water before storing, drying, or eating them.

If you choose to eat the nuts or seeds wet, make little batches and store them in the refrigerator. Or, you can dry the nuts and seeds in a dehydrator or oven on the lowest possible setting for 24 – 48 hours to remove all moisture.

Instructions:

Take 1 tablespoon of the pumpkin seeds and your almonds and pulse in the food processor a few times on low-speed until it reaches the consistency you like.

Put the mixture from the food processor into a bowl.

Add chia seeds, coconut flakes, blueberries, salt, and cinnamon.

Add the milk of your choosing and enjoy!

Blessings,

Jenna

WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On May 13, 2014

In Homeopathy

“The highest ideal of cure is the rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health; that is, the lifting and annihilation of the disease in its entire extent in the shortest, most reliable, and least disadvantageous way, according to clearly realizable principles.”

— Hahnemann, from Organon of the Medical Art

Homeopathy was discovered over 200 years ago by German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) however, the basis of homeopathy has been around since the ancient times. Homeopathy is popular and widely practiced all over Europe, South America, and India because it has proved to be effective throughout almost two centuries of practice. Today we are seeing a resurgence of interest in homeopathy in the U.S. as alternatives to traditional medicine gain new acceptance.

Homeopathy is a method of self-healing assisted by small doses of natural remedies and practiced by licensed physicians and other health professionals throughout the world.

Core beliefs in homeopathy:

The body continually tries to heal itself. Homeopathy simply assists in that process. Homeopathy works energetically, as it stimulates your body’s own vital force and re-establishes balance in the entire being.
Homeopathy treats the whole person and not just the symptoms of the disease.
Homeopathy is based on the belief that like cures like which is referred to in homeopathy as the “Law of Similars.” The Law of Similars states that the same substance that produces disease symptoms in a healthy person, when given in concentrated doses, can also cure a sick person with similar symptoms, when given in very diluted form.
Vital Force is the body’s guiding intelligence; the body’s “energy level.” Properly prescribed homeopathy enhances the vital force.
Health is a state of freedom at three levels – physical, emotional, and mental.
Symptoms are the outward and visible signs of the inward disturbance of the vital force which causes disease. If you remove the disturbance in vital force, the disease will go away (based on Principles and Art of Cure by Homeopathy, author H.A. Roberts).

Unlike western medicines with their many side effects, in homeopathy, less is more—the remedies are so highly diluted that the treatment yields no side effects and is safe even for babies, animals, and pregnant women. Homeopathy can treat minor or acute problems as well as chronic and long-term ailments.

For examples of how homeopathy has helped people I’ve worked with who had both chronic and acute symptoms click here.

COMFORT FOOD – GF/CF CHICKEN POT PIE

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On May 9, 2014

In Recipes

Are you looking for a gluten-free, casein free, comfort food recipe? How about chicken pot pie? Creamy gravy…a golden, crisp crust…tender, flavorful vegetables. Yum, it just doesn’t get much better than chicken pot pie! And just because it is gluten and casein free doesn’t mean it’s not as delicious or as good as mom used to make.

Ingredients

1 lb organic chicken breasts (shredded or cut into bite sized pieces)

1 carrot, peeled and diced

1 yellow onion, peeled and diced

4 cups chopped kale or collard greens (stems removed)

1 large celery stalk, diced

½ cup chopped broccoli

4 tablespoons coconut oil

3 cups chicken stock (if not homemade, check ingredients of stock to make sure it is GF/CF)

1 tablespoon parsley

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

2 tablespoons arrowroot powder

3 tablespoons water or cooked liquid from pot

Salt and Pepper to taste

Crust

1 cup almond flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon celtic salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

½ cup coconut oil (or butter if you do not have issues with casein)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F.

In a large pot with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken breasts. Brown the chicken, 8 to 10 minutes per side (until it is no longer pink in center). Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and vegetables to your pot. Stir the vegetables around until the onions start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken stock and bring the liquid to a simmer. Simmer vegetables for 5 minutes.

Shred the chicken and add it to the pot.

In a small bowl whisk together the arrowroot powder with 3 tablespoons of water or 3 tablespoons liquid from the pot. When the arrowroot is mixed well (no clumps), add the mixture to the pot.

Stir the vegetable mixture until the broth thickens.

Remove from the heat and transfer to a Pyrex of Stoneware baking dish.

Crust Topping

Soften coconut oil (or butter if recipe does not need to be casein free) and add it to your mixer bowl with the almond flour, salt and baking powder.

Mix together until all the ingredients are evenly combined. (I use my BlendTec Blender for this; you can also just stir with a fork if you do not have a mixer).

Add the eggs and mix well.

If you make this ahead of time, keep refrigerated until ready to bake.

Top your veggie mixture with the dough.

Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Jenna

PRACTICAL WAYS TO RAISE YOUR FREQUENCY

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On May 6, 2014

In Energy Healing

“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”

– Arthur Ashe

We can work in each area of our lives to raise our frequency: on a physical level, a mental level, an emotional level, and a spiritual level. I have provided several ideas below for how to raise your frequency in each of the four areas of being. You can choose what resonates with you. Adopting even one of the principles in the lists below will cause a positive shift in your life experience. It may be a very subtle shift, but you will experience it and it will allow for greater awareness and positive movement in your life.

The questions to ask yourself to determine your frequency are:

Am I living to my fullest potential, experiencing joy in everyday life?
How often do I laugh?
How do I take care of myself – physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, financially, and interpersonally?
Do I feel comfortable telling the truth (in love) even when doing so might create a conflict or hurt someone’s feeling?
Am I living my truth or compromising in one or more areas?
Am I living a life of joy or settling instead for comfort?

Our feelings reveal our vibration. When reading through these questions consider how answering them made you feel. Truth has the highest vibration.

Some suggestions for how to raise your frequency on a physical level:

Eat high frequency foods – raw, organic, fresh, grass-fed meats, wild caught fish. Choose consciously what you put into your body.
Drink clean, pure water – drink, in ounces, at least half of your body weight (pounds). For example, a person that weighs 120 lbs would need at least 60 ounces of water per day to be hydrated. Homeopathic Bioplasma is helpful for cellular hydration as well.
Move and breathe every day. Move and stretch when you wake up. Five minutes can make a big difference. Breathing exercises such as rhythmic and deep breathing refresh the body and give it more oxygen to release toxins. Breathing and movement also help balance the energy body. Consider activities like yoga, tai chi, walking in nature, and massage.

Some suggestions for how to raise your frequency on a mental level:

Exchange unhelpful beliefs for those that are in harmony with who you are. Think of a belief you have about yourself or your life that is not helpful. This will often show up in your mental thinking as a question you ask yourself that starts with, “Why can’t I …”
Be aware that what you take in at the mental level will greatly affect your frequency. Consider the books your read, the movies you watch, the music you listen to. Read books that inspire you and make you feel good about yourself and the world.

Some suggestions for how to raise your frequency on an emotional level:

Carefully select the people you choose to spend time with. Spend time near people, places, things which inspire you, challenge you, make you laugh, are authentic, that cause you to love life.
Instead of being controlled by your thoughts and emotions, become more aware of them and CHOOSE to focus on the things that make you feel good. This is not the same as “positive” thinking.

Some suggestions for how to raise your frequency on a spiritual level:

Be present – If you have tried this at all in your daily life, you will know it is easier said than done. Past memories, worries of the future, random thoughts of the mistake you made yesterday (or last year), even thinking of the fun plans for tomorrow can steal the joy of today.
Be grateful – Take time to BE grateful. Really FEEL gratitude. Take at least 5 minutes each day to be grateful. Write someone a thank you note, pray, or journal (see www.createwritenow.com for ideas). Feel the emotion of gratitude. What does it feel like to you?

These are just a sampling of ideas for how to raise your frequency level. There are many more ideas and suggestions. Raising your vibration will not only affect you, but will contribute to the world around you. We can bring up the vibration of the world, starting with ourselves.

Blessings,

Jenice

ALMOND MEAL CRANBERRY PANCAKES

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On April 23, 2014

In Recipes

Ingredients

2 cups almond meal (or 1 ¾ cups almond flour and ¼ cup Millet flour)

½ c finely shredded unsweetened coconut

3 eggs

1 cup Native Forest coconut milk

2 T. coconut oil

1 apple, peeled and grated

¼ tsp fine Celtic or Himalayan salt

½ to 1 cup fresh or frozen organic cranberries (or other berries of choice)

Directions

Add all ingredients (except cranberries) to blender and mix well
Stir in ½ of cranberries
Scoop 2 tablespoons of batter onto a medium griddle greased with coconut oil. Cover pancakes while cooking to help them cook evenly all the way through. Make sure the pancakes are browned well before flipping.

Toppings

Syrup – I love maple syrup, however, I do try to limit sugar for myself and my family. I mix warmed coconut oil or cool/room temperature organic flaxseed oil with a small amount (about 1 tsp) maple syrup and pour over pancakes. This tastes sweet like syrup without all the sugar, but with the added benefits of the healthy oil.
Blueberries
Walnuts
Poached egg
Sliced avocado and a small dollop of pesto
Sliced avocado with dollop of lemon dill mayo
Dairy free yogurt and berries–unsweetened coconut or almond milk yogurt topped with raspberries is my current favorite

Adapted from Everyday Paleo by Sara Fragoso

Enjoy!

Jenna

ORGANIC SULFUR – WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH?

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On April 16, 2014

In Building a Healthy Foundation, Supplements

Historically, the foods we ate had ample sulfur. However, since the industrialization of our food supply, our soils have been depleted of sulfur. Even organically grown foods will no longer provide our bodies with adequate levels of this mineral.

As an essential mineral, sulfur is needed for many functions in the body and to maintain optimal health. Sulfur helps us detoxify and regenerate new tissue. It enables the transport of oxygen across cell membranes. Sulfur is also a precursor for the utilization of amino acids, the body’s building blocks. Without a constant supply of sulfur (it is not stored by the body, but is passed every 10-12 hours) we are, in effect, dying each day of cellular degeneration. This makes us much more susceptible to damage of toxins and environmental pollutants that seem to be everywhere in this modern world.

Organic sulfur assists the body in the following ways:

Jumpstarts the body’s detoxification (methylation) process; enables efficient detoxification of heavy metals and other environmental toxins
Improves oxygen levels in all the cells
Improves the utilization of amino acids in the body
Helps the body rid itself of excess oxalates
Ensures proper levels of enzymes (especially pancreatic)
Assists the body with making the hormone CCK, which leads to the release of oxytocin (a hormone that reduces stress and facilitates bonding, often lacking in people with autism)
Enables cellular regeneration and healing–even after years of being scarred or damaged
Improves cell membrane integrity, allowing cells to better absorb nutrients
Assists the body’s ability to rebalance and eliminate unhealthy pathogens (such as fungus and virus) since they cannot thrive in a high oxygen environment; improves a leaky gut
Helps production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, melatonin, dopamine, etc.
Improves production of glutathione, methionine, cysteine, taurine, etc.
Plays an important role in protecting the body from oxidative damage and radiation damage due to sun exposure and radiation treatments for cancer
Has the potential to help prevent and even assist in reversing neurological injuries such as Alzheimer’s disease
Improves the look of hair, skin, and nails because they consist of a tough protein composed in significant part of sulfur called keratin

Since 1999, ongoing studies have been conducted, taking feedback from organic sulfur consumers. Study participants have reported amazing benefits with the consistent use of organic sulfur. Here are a few:

Arthritis: Participants report much less pain and increased mobility, straightening of finger joints, resolution of internal scars tissue around joints.
Skin conditions: Reports of improved acne, psoriasis, rosacea, toenail fungus, burns, liver spots, and disorders associated with Lupus.
Diabetes: Sulfur deficiency interferes with glucose metabolism; organic sulfur is helpful because it is necessary in the production of insulin and other sulfur-based amino acids needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates.
ADD, ADHD, autism, hyperactivity, and depression are greatly relieved since organic sulfur acts as a mood elevator or stabilizer and helps the nervous system relax.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Reports of decreased and/or eliminated symptoms of acid indigestion, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut, and chronic constipation.
Cardiovascular: Participants have reported reduction of scar tissue, healing of high blood pressure, and the breakdown of calcium plaque in arteries.
Respiratory: Participants report resolution of lung symptoms such as allergies, asthma and emphysema.
Glaucoma: Participants report relief of intraocular pressure and cellular regeneration of the “drainage” system at the inner base of the iris.
Liver regeneration: one participant who had suffered with Hepatitis C for 25 years reported complete liver regeneration from taking 2 tablespoons organic sulfur twice daily for 15 months.
Hair: Participants have reported a return from gray/white hair to their natural color; others have reported a reversal of hair loss.
Teeth and gums: Participants report renewed health in teeth and gums. When used as an additive to toothpaste, organic sulfur appears to eliminate plaque build-up on teeth, regenerate gums and tighten loose teeth.
Headaches and migraines have been alleviated over time.
Osteoporosis has been reported to respond well to the ongoing use of organic sulfur.

It is important to note that organic sulfur does not treat the specific diseases listed in this post. Instead, it allows for renewed and revitalized cellular oxygenation. It opens the door to cellular energy and provides a smooth pathway for cellular regeneration. This helps the body increase its vitality so it can do what it was designed to do by our Creator: to strengthen itself to release toxins, to drain away cellular debris, to regenerate new cells, and to heal.

Some people worry about having an allergic reaction or sensitivity to sulfur. Allergy to sulfur is not possible as it is an integral element of our body. In fact, approximately 0.25 percent of our total body weight is sulfur. Often, when a person is sensitive to sulfur (becomes irritated and itchy on sulfur containing products like MSM or Epsom Salt Baths) s/he is actually reacting to the synthetic ingredients mixed with the sulfur.

A very small number of individuals experience detoxification symptoms (headache, flu-like symptoms, etc.) when they first begin taking sulfur. It is best to start slowly at the proper amount for each individual. Muscle testing or applied kinesiology for the proper starting dose is very helpful. The homeopathic remedy Sulfur or another specific remedy indicated by the individual’s symptoms is also a way to introduce sulfur with minimal detoxification symptoms.

A Better Way Organic Sulfur has benefited the health of my clients and allowed for more efficient healing. Here is what makes it different from other sulfur products on the market:

It has no fillers preservatives or anti-caking additives – the Organic Sulfur study has demonstrated that the variety of fillers found in the other retail MSM products have resulted in significantly decreased healing effects
No added silica – Silica which is also added to MSM products has been reported to block the body’s energy and makes the sulfur less efficient
Not processed
100% biologically available to the body
99.4%-99.6% pure range and is offered in its naturally occurring large flake form.

It is important to note that A Better Way Organic Sulfur must be ingested with non-chlorinated water. Chlorinated water will render the sulfur much less effective.

I am grateful for the benefits I receive from the use of Organic Sulfur. Consider trying it for yourself.

Blessings!

Jenice

HEALING PROPERTIES OF BONE BROTH

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On March 19, 2014

In Healthy Diet

Bone-based broths have a long history as a beneficial food for people recuperating from illness, child-birth or surgery. They are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and easy for the body to assimilate. Bones used to make stocks are filled with minerals that many of us don’t get enough of, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and others.

Also, bones contain cartilage, collagen and marrow — substances found in no other foods. Collagen is the source of bone broth’s immune-boosting properties.

BENEFITS OF BONE BROTH:

Heals leaky gut/improves digestion
Can aid in healing IBS, crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and acid reflux
Fights infections such as colds and flu
Heals food intolerances and allergies
Improves joint health (arthritis)
Gelatin promotes probiotic balance and growth
Reduces cellulite
Boosts the immune system
Reduces inflammation in the respiratory system
Detoxifies cells, gut and liver

Gelatin in bone broths contains amino acids arginine, glycine, glutamine and proline. These amino acids also contribute to stock’s healing properties.

Arginine

Necessary for immune system function and wound healing
Needed for the production and release of growth hormone
Helps regenerate damaged liver cells
Needed for the production of sperm

Glycine

Prevents breakdown of protein tissue like muscle
Used to make bile salts and glutathione
Helps detoxify the body of chemicals and acts as antioxidant
Is a neurotransmitter that improves sleep and improves memory and performance
Anti-inflammatory

Proline

Helps regenerate cartilage and heal joints
Reduces cellulite and makes skin more supple
Helps repair leaky gut
Anti-inflammatory

Glutamine

Protects gut lining
Metabolic fuel for cells in small intestine
Improves metabolism and muscle-building

BONE BROTH RECIPE

Ingredients:
4 quarts of filtered water
1 whole organic/free range chicken (remember you can use any type of protein)
1 garlic clove (more/less to taste)
2 Tbsp organic apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
1 Tsp unrefined sea salt (more/less to taste )
1 bay leaf
1 small onion
Fresh ginger (peeled)
Fresh turmeric (teaspoon dry powder can be replaced for fresh)
3 stalks organic celery

Preparation:

Bake the chicken on 325 for 2 hours.
Once the chicken has cooled off, remove the meat and use as you like.
Place the left over bones and water into a crock pot and set the heat to HIGH.
Bring the stock to a boil, then reduce the heat setting to the LOWEST setting.
Add apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, turmeric, ginger, bay leaf and celery.
Allow the stock to cook for a minimum of 12 hours. A low and slow cook time is necessary to fully extract the nutrients in and around bone.
Turn off the crock pot and allow the stock to cool.
Strain the stock through a fine mesh metal strainer and discard bones.
If you want to make chicken vegetable soup add your favorite vegetables (for added nutrient value). Continue cooking until vegetables are the consistency you like.
Place the cooled stock into covered glass containers for storage in the fridge or freezer.
You can also freeze the bone broth in ice-cube trays. Use the cubes anytime you want to add extra nutrients/flavor to a dish you are making.

TIPS:

Only use animal products that you know are organic, pasture-fed and free of antibiotics and hormones (bones can be purchased at U.S. Wellness Meats).
If you’re making beef broth or lamb broth, you should brown the meat before putting it into a stock pot.
Add a bit of apple cider vinegar to your pot to help draw the minerals from the bones.
When re-heating bone broth, bring it to a boil to kill any bacteria.
The combination of animal products and vegetables seemed to have synergistic effects, working together to be more beneficial than either alone.
I have found in my practice that a very small number of clients may not respond well to bone broth at first. When adding something new (whether it is a supplement, homeopathic remedy, food, or even a new personal care product) it is always a good idea to be observant for any changes. Every product, no matter how great, organic, natural, or wonderful it is reported to be for others, is not necessarily a perfect fit for everyone! It is wise to be observant when adding anything new. If you see any behavior changes (lethargy, hyperactivity for example) or any physical symptoms (cold symptoms, stomach ache, etc.) perhaps bone broth is not a good fit for your child. Muscle testing (also known as applied kinesiology (AK)) is a good way to test for benefit and tolerance. You can learn AK yourself, and many natural health practitioners incorporate it into their practices. I incorporate AK into my client work, testing foods, supplements, remedies, and a tool to help to refine the most optimal healing strategy for each individual. If you are uncertain or see/experience symptoms when you add bone broth, you could use applied kinesiology or work with a practitioner who does to test if bone broth is best for you or your child at this time.

Sources:

Weston A. Price Foundation

University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Chicken Soup for a Cold” http://www.unmc.edu/publicrelations/chickensoup_newsrelease.htm (accessed 21 October 2011).

NATURAL WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR HORMONES

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On March 13, 2014

In Building a Healthy Foundation, Homeopathy

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. They affect just about everything in your body such as:

Growth and development
Metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
Reproduction/Sexual function
Mood

Here are steps you can take to balance your hormones naturally:

1. Avoid High Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fats

Avoid vegetable oil, peanut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, margarine, shortening, or other chemically altered fats. Instead eat: coconut oil, real butter, ghee, olive oil (low temperature only or use as salad dressing) and a fish that is high in Omega-3 at least once a week.

2. Limit the Caffeine or Eliminate it from Your Diet Entirely

Cut down on the caffeine, if you can. Replace your caffeinated drink with organic herbal teas. Numi Organic’s Emperor’s Pu-Erh tea has a full-bodied taste like coffee and is delicious with cream. Caution: Pu-Erh tea contains caffeine, although not as much as other teas. However, it is full-bodied like coffee, so can be helpful when trying to break the coffee habit. Pu-erh also contains antioxidants and other substances known to protect the heart. Organic teas such as peppermint, ginger and licorice are free of caffeine and very satisfying as well.

3. Avoid Toxins

Toxins are pretty much everywhere in today’s world, but there is a lot we can do in our everyday lives to make good choices. Choose your household cleaners and personal products with care. Hormone disrupting chemicals are found in pesticides, plastics, household chemicals, and mattresses. Birth control pills also contribute greatly to hormone imbalance in women. Make wise choices to take care of your body.

Cook in glass or enamel coated cast iron pans (avoid Teflon). As much as possible, store foods in glassware, and minimize the use of plastics. Choose organic produce and meat whenever possible. Use clean, non-toxic household cleaners, or even consider making your own (watch for a post on this topic in the near future!). Consider buying a mattress cover to keep from breathing the chemicals emitted from your mattress as this is a much less expensive option than buying an organic mattress. Another option is to buy a sleep number mattress as they are filled with air instead of chemicals.

4. Sleep

If you aren’t getting enough sleep, your hormones will not be balanced. Sleeping eight hours per night can improve hormones and is even linked to longer life, less chance of disease, and weight loss.

5. Supplement Wisely

Ideally, our diet would be balanced enough to keep our hormones at optimal levels. However, if your hormones are not in balance (with the help of a healthcare professional) you can consider trying:

Maca– A tuber in the radish family that is said to boost hormone production and libido. Many women notice less PMS, increased fertility, and improved skin. Men often notice increased sperm production, libido, and better sleep when taking Maca. Maca is also high in minerals and essential fatty acids, making it great for hormones.

Magnesium– Magnesium supports hundreds of reactions in the body and often contributes to better sleep (good for hormone balance).

Vitamin D– A pre-hormone is supportive of hormone function. It is best obtained from the sun. But if that is not possible, consider a D3 supplement or Fermented Cod Liver Oil. It is also possible now to procure UVB-based Vitamin D-enhancing light systems. If you have an interest in supplementing with Vitamin D, first take the time to get your blood tested to find out your current level. Taking too much Vitamin D can be toxic. There is research by the Autoimmunity Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization, indicating that excess vitamin D may actually have an immunosuppressive effect and can possibly interfere with healthy immune function and recovery.

Fermented Cod Liver Oil– Provides many of the necessary building blocks for hormone production including Vitamins A, D, and K. It also is a great source of Omega-3s and beneficial fats.

6. Consider Homeopathy

When toxins are removed and organs and glands are supported, the body can often rebalance its hormones effectively. Sequential homeopathy provides an effective and simple way to gently detoxify the energetic residue and toxic effects of birth control pills and other toxic exposures that contribute to hormone imbalance. Sarcodes, or remedies made from healthy glandular or tissue extract, can also be helpful to rebalance hormones and bring them their optimal vibration.

7. Exercise Lightly

If you have hormone imbalance, intense extended exercise can actually make the problem worse in the short-term. Try to walk for at least a half hour a day or do another light form of exercise like yoga or Pilates. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week.

8. Eat Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is extremely beneficial for hormone health. It provides the necessary building blocks for hormone production, can assist weight loss, reduce inflammation, and even has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Try to consume 1/4 cup of coconut oil a day.

9. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Incorporate more fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, plus raw nuts and seeds (soaked and sprouted whenever possible) into your diet. Foods such as processed carbohydrates, fried foods, soft drinks, enriched flour, processed vegetable oil and soy products may alter hormone balance. Avoid non-organic dairy products which may contain harmful bovine growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics.

10. Take Care of Your Soul

Remember to make time for yourself at least once a day. Find small ways to incorporate rest and relaxation throughout the day. Be present. Breathe. Smile and laugh. Consider learning some form of yoga or meditation. Trauma and trapped emotions can contribute to any physical symptom pattern in the body, and hormone imbalance is no exception. Symptoms are only a message from the body. When we understand the message, the symptoms can go. Energy healing sessions can bring healing to the root cause, allowing for trauma (and symptom) release.

Please stay tuned for future posts where I will discuss natural ways to support your adrenal gland (your ability to deal with stress), thyroid gland (your metabolism), and pancreas (blood sugar/maintain healthy insulin levels).

Blessings,

Jenice

DAIRY – A HIDDEN SOURCE OF GLUTEN?

By Jenna Lynn Blaze

On March 6, 2014

In Healthy Diet

Introduction:

Did you try eating a gluten-free diet without seeing significant improvement in your health? Yesterday, in my post, I spoke about one of the possible reasons for this. Removing corn from your diet is important in order to truly be “gluten-free.” Today, I want to explain another reason some people don’t see improvement in their persistent health problems simply by eliminating gluten from their diet… dairy. Removing dairy from your diet is another important step in order to truly determine if a gluten-free diet is key for your healing.

Researchers have identified that dairy proteins can affect as much as 50% of those with gluten problems. A quote from a research study is listed below:

“Patients with celiac disease (CD) on a gluten-free diet may still have gastrointestinal symptoms. On clinical grounds cow’s milk (CM) protein sensitivity may be suspected…A mucosal inflammatory response similar to that elicited by gluten was produced by CM protein in about 50% of the patients with celiac disease. Casein, in particular, seems to be involved in this reaction.”

Source: Clin Exp Immunol. 2007 Mar;147(3):449-55.

Reasons Why Dairy Causes an Inflammatory Reaction:

Processing of dairy alters the casein protein creating a molecule that resembles gluten, thus creating an inflammatory response.
Cows eat large quantities of GMO corn and grain based foods. It is likely that these grain based proteins (including gluten) make their way into the milk, thus creating an inflammatory reaction.
Gluten can cause intestinal permeability. When this happens, people often times become allergic to the foods that they consume most often. Dairy is often a major staple used by those on a gluten-free diet and therefore, many develop an allergic response to dairy.
Those with gluten induced intestinal damage tend to have a hard time breaking down the sugars and proteins in dairy. This can cause tremendous GI distress, gas, distention, bloating, and pain. The undigested dairy materials can rot in the gut. This can also lead to disruption in the healthy bacterial counts of the gut.

Should You Eat Dairy Products on a Gluten Free Diet?

I would encourage a dairy free diet for at least 6 months when initially going gluten-free. This will allow time for your digestive system to heal.

Guidelines to Follow if You are Going to Include Dairy in Your Gluten Free Diet:

Buy grass-fed dairy only.
Be sure your dairy comes from animals who are antibiotics and hormone free.
Buy dairy in the raw form. If you want to pasteurize it, heat it up yourself on your stove at home.

Closing:

Remember, just because your doctor’s test did not show you have a sensitivity to gluten, there’s no guarantee that gluten is not slowing down your healing. Health is a choice we make every moment – what we choose to put in and around us, conversations we choose to listen to, things we choose to eat and drink – all impact the rate at which we heal. You have the power to choose the rate of your healing by the simple choices you make every day.

Through Applied Kinesiology, I can determine the foods most optimal for your healing – what to limit and what to avoid completely.

Source: Gluten Free Society