“Let’s talk colonics!” I said to a group of friends.

Only one person piped up to say, “Let’s not!”

The quiet consensus seemed to suggest that discussing the colon was either too taboo, the topic was not up for public discussion or some folks were simply unsure what to ask.

No worries.  You know me, I love to explore healing.  I knew then and there, I would find out more so as to shine a light on the subject in hopes of diminishing fear, confusion and discomfort.  Not to mention, I was super curious.

According to Ayurveda, the ancient medicine of India, there are only two major causes of illness: digestion or elimination.

If you are not digesting well, have acid reflux, or get sleepy, have hot flashes and nausea during or after a meal, you are definitely dealing with some form of digestive issue.  Be it a lack of digestive enzymes, a food allergy, or blood sugar imbalance.

However, if you find that your digestion is working well while your elimination is moving too quickly, too slowly, or painfully, then it is time to focus on cleansing the colon.  You may be inclined to take a stool softener or herbal cleanse but they tend to be rough on the digestive and eliminative systems, which means we need to find healthy and gentle options.   

Colon Hydrotherapy was recorded as early as 1500 B.C., in an Egyptian medical document.  In this age of advanced medicine, getting a colonoscopy is a common practice.  So it only makes sense to take a fresh new look at colonics and move pro-actively towards more options, methods and information regarding the colon.

“And by all means, I prefer [that] my patients undergo colon hydrotherapy (a colonic) the morning of a colonoscopy.  It’s a safe way to cleanse the gut.”   Robert Charm, MD, Walnut Creek, California, board-certified as a gastroenterologist since 1972

A colonic involves Colon Hydrotherapy (water therapy) to cleanse the small intestine aka colon.   Just as our nasal passages can develop excess mucus, the colon can also develop a mucus-type sinus in reaction to inflammation.  If elimination is excessive or blocked, it’s time to cleanse the colon, removing toxins from your gastrointestinal tract that may cause a variety of health problems.

Colonic Irrigation is suggested as a remedy for:

• asthma
• headaches
• arthritis
• chest pain
• hypertension
• brittle hair
• ADD
• joint pains
• psoriasis
• allergies

For my part, I discovered a new non-invasive colonic called The Angel of Water® system.  It is the premier colon hydrotherapy system most sought out by hospitals around the world.  It’s advanced design is the height of simplicity, cleanliness and dignity.

Patricia Noble, owner of Rock Solid Health in Round Rock, Texas, educated me on how to use the system and offered as much personal support as I was comfortable with.  Being a gentle gravity-fed water system means 8 gallons of warm water are fed into your colon as slowly as your body dictates, making the entire process much less painful than the old way of forced water systems that could induce extreme cramping.  It was safe, simple and easy to use.  The whole session lasted about 45 minutes.  I felt fresh and light afterwards with no discomfort whatsoever.  Patricia also gave me an enzyme recovery drink to restore all my natural enzymes and minerals that may have been lost in the cleanse.

Keep in mind, colonics now require a prescription, so be sure to discuss your colon health with your physician before booking an appointment.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Tonight’s New Moon, January 23, 2012 kicks off the Year of the Water Dragon!  *big cheers*

Out with the rabbit and in with the dragon.

Dragon years often represent tumultuous times on the earth; floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.  And don’t forget the end of the Mayan calendar, the so-called “doomsday” is expected in December 2012.  No worries, the Mayan’s just had to stop their calendar somewhere.  =D

According to the Chinese calendar, 2012 also represents the element Water, thus the Water Dragon.  Water represents essence and flow, spirituality, abundance and wealth.  2012 could be a power year for your bank account, that great promotion, amazing enlightenment, virtue, longevity, breakthrough, affluence and abundance flowing into your personal life.  Pretty sweet, huh?!

Think of the Year of the Water Dragon as all of Water’s benefits amplified by the Dragon.  So forget all about New Year’s Resolutions.  Now is the time for powerful, carefully worded affirmations.

• Enlightenment is mine.
• I trust the process for my best life.
• I am life water, strong & powerful.
• It is safe to break down, it leads to breakthrough.
• I now allow abundance to flow freely into my life.

So, here I am, parked in a very long drive-through line at a doughnut shop.  It’s true.  Me, a nutrition conscious, natural health care worker.

“How did I get here?”  I wonder aloud.

I don’t really like doughnuts.  Even growing up, I preferred heavy proteins to sweet desserts.  One look at my last name tells you I’m from hearty European stock.  We love our sausage, cheese and heavy cream.  Doughnuts are generally too greasy, hyper-sweet and lacking in flavor for my taste buds.

Anyway, I digress.  I suppose it was the influence of one of my editors.  She has been raving for over a year about how the world famous “Round Rock Donuts will change your life!”

That’s right.    A doughnut that supposedly has the power to “change your life.”  I was skeptical to say the least.

What is so great about these doughnuts?  Well, since 1929, this much-loved home-town bakery in Round Rock, Texas has been hand-making upwards of 200 dozen doughnuts a day.  Instead of making the standard baking powder doughnuts, their old family yeast recipe makes a fluffy, delightfully airy doughnut that not only has real flavor but an orange color since they use all natural fresh ingredients including fresh eggs daily.  Add in the charm of personal service, hand-made, hand-cut & individually iced treats baked in an old rotary oven.  No wonder it’s world famous!

Intrigued?  Me too!   So here I am, still sitting in a long line.  Maybe there is something to this doughnut craze.  There are literally so many cars in this line, mid-afternoon, that a gentleman with a notepad just knocked on my car window to take my order, expediting the process.

Oh dear.  They have decadent treats of all kinds.. glazed Eclairs, Bavarian cream filled doughnuts, Kolaches, Danish, coffee cakes.  But me, “I just want the life changing doughnut* – with chocolate glaze, thank you.”

I know we all splurge from time to time, so armed with my lofty New Year’s resolutions, my new Marianne Williamson book, “A Course in Weight Loss” (which I have not yet read.  shhh) and my desire for a life-altering doughnut experience; I am now ready.

I looked over at Marianne Williamson’s book and imagined that somewhere in the pages, she is saying we should have compassion for ourselves even in our weak moment of eating a Round Rock doughnut.  Well maybe not that specific but you know what I mean.

Finally, the moment of truth.  I’ve got the doughnut and it smells absolutely wonderful.

I would like to say I just took a dainty little bite like ladies do in the movies, but that would be a lie.  One little bite just led to a big bite.  And several more.  This is still too sweet for my taste but I am really enjoying the depth of flavor and the obvious labor of love it took to make this pastry.

A quick glance in the rear-view mirror reveals my lips are now a chocolate mess.

I am sorry to say there are no diabetic options here at Round Rock Donuts, but then if you are a diabetic, you know good and well you are not supposed to be at a doughnut shop in the first place.  And the same goes for gluten-free.  Unfortunately, no options there either.  Still, as doughnuts go, this is definitely one of my favorites.

Can a doughnut really change your life?  While I admit, they are quite delicious, the only thing they may well change is the number on the scale, up up up.  Perhaps this doughnut is more about shifting our eating paradigm,  putting a new twist on an old standard, changing up the rhythm.

Instead of sandwiches with the same old white bread, why not try a more tasty version of wheat or fresh sprouted like nutrition-packed Ezekiel bread.  In place of the quick egg sandwich from your local fast food restaurant for breakfast, why not take a little time to make a veggie omelet or have a fresh egg breakfast in a relaxed environment.  Seek out places that make homemade as opposed to freeze-dried, microwavable foods.  Take the time to make a few new choices on your regular menu and you may discover more flavor, more healthy options and overall, more satisfaction.

*The regular sized glazed doughnut, not the Texas sized.

Note To Self:  Stop paying so much attention to what you’ve yet to accomplish and see how far you’ve come. ♥ Lynn

Thanks for all the emails since you didn’t hear from me over the holidays.  I was in bed, sick as a proverbial dog.  I’m sorry I couldn’t write a holiday note.  Even with the benefit of eastern and western medicine, it still had to run its course.  While all of you were out spreading cheer, I had loads of time to lay around and think; and cough and sleep.  You get the idea.

Ready or not, the new year is here!  Looks like last year raced to the finish line when some of us weren’t ready to start the new one.  Ah, but then, new beginnings are beneficial, even if a bit abrupt.

So here we are in a brand new year.  Time to push the big re-set button on life.  Our chance for a fresh start.  Breathe in the new.  Weed out the old useless thoughts, adopt a new hopeful set of beliefs and affirm the vows we intend to keep to ourselves and others.  Now’s your formal opportunity to change and grow.

Let’s face it, we have all come a long way since last new year’s day.

So maybe you did not accomplish all your new year’s resolutions last year.  I suspect you accomplished more than you ever set out to.  As a dear friend told me, “Sometimes it’s better to trade your To-Do list for a Did-It list.”

That’s it!  Make a “Did It” list and look at all the wonderful things you did, got to do, things you had no idea to even hope for.  Really pat yourself on the back about the distance you covered last year.  Surely that’s a lovely foundation to build a new year on.  Self confidence, love and appreciation.

One constant in life is our breath.  We are breathing every moment of every day.  Quantum Physics suggests that all life is expanding and collapsing, over and over.  Think of the ocean waves and how like breath they are.  The waves roll in and out; constantly, effortlessly, gently.  Standing by the sea always seems to regulate my breathing, even if I’m anxious.  Just watching the waves roll in and out, again and again.  I fall into the rhythm of the ocean, without thinking about it.

After all the stresses and suffering, pain and disappointments that crop up in our lives, sometimes even during the holidays, it can literally take our breath away.  So for the new year, I encourage you to focus on your breath.

When we get upset or don’t feel well, we tend to hold our breath.  Our breathing gets so shallow that when we go to consciously take a deep breath, it’s a bit of a surprise to the body.  You may find that you can’t get a deep breath or your ribs feel too tight.

Those of you who have been on my massage table have heard me gently say, “breathe”.  I use words like “inhale” or “let go” when the muscles are especially tight.  The sooner you get a good deep breath, the sooner the pain lightens up.

Stress, good or bad, can affect us negatively if we don’t consciously choose to relax our body and breathe through it.  I know, easier said than done.  But trust me, your mental and physical health are worth every effort to change an old pattern.

Out with the old as you release the past, painful and cumbersome with every exhale.  Embrace the new with a deep and easy breath of love, forgiveness and acceptance of yourself today, and everyday of this amazing, silver lined new year.

You tried with all your might to distract yourself but before you knew it, you were indulging in exactly what you just emphatically told yourself not to do.

Sound familiar?

You’ve got a craving!

We all get cravings from time to time.  You know, those days you get so busy you forget to eat and find yourself standing glaze-eyed in front of a sugar-packed vending machine.  A moment of weakness may find you texting your ex when you know he’s bad news for you.  Just when you think you’ve got control over a bad habit, you’re relaxing with friends and lighting up or drinking too much.

A moment of weakness can wreak havoc on your day.  As one client told me, “I ate cold pizza for breakfast.  Why bother eating well the rest of the day?”

It’s true, giving in to your cravings can create a negative spiral that’s hard to spin out of.  You may have found yourself realizing that try as you may, day after day, you are falling into the same cravings trap and making no forward progress to move beyond your temptations.  This can, in time, create addictive-type behaviours, especially if you’re not consciously aware of your actions.

Cravings can tell us a great deal about our health.   Craving something specific can shed light on a particular deficiency.  The most illusive kind of cravings are usually just a simple need to take control of certain aspects of our lives.  Simple mineral deficiency is often to blame for that “I’m kind of hungry but I don’t know what for” feeling.

Of course, you can indulge in harmless moments of pleasure; a delicious square of your favorite dark chocolate, huge hugs from friends, a decadent nap.  It’s all a matter of balance.  Our physical health effects our mental health just as our emotions affect our spiritual health, and so on.

When your nutrition is lacking, it turns up the volume on any health or mental imbalance.  So cover your bases with a multi-vitamin and eating well.  In addition to getting plenty of water to drink and regular exercise, here are a few ways to cut your cravings.

5 NATURAL WAYS TO CUT CRAVINGS

CHROMIUM is a mineral that balances blood sugar.  Taken in liquid or caplet form with a meal, it has been shown to keep away the “sleepies” after you eat.  Balancing your blood sugar naturally means bypassing extreme cravings for sweets as well as “sugar highs” and “sugar crashes.”

GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE is an herb containing Gymnemic acids which have anti-diabetic, anti-sweetener and anti-inflammatory properties.  That means, when you take Gymnema in an herbal capsule form, sugar becomes distasteful, reducing cravings for sweets and soothes the stomach.

N-ACETYL CYSTEINE  is an amino acid supplement that decongests the lungs, boosts immune response, and detoxifies toxins and poisons from the body.  One study found that this natural acid diminished cravings for cocaine in addicts.

GREEN TEA is known and loved the world over as a refreshing beverage but it also has powerful abilities to direct mental focus and increase impulse control.  Drink up!

SEROTONIN aka 5-HT is a brain neurotransmitter derived from Tryptophan.  It relaxes and regulates the mood, appetite and sleep patterns.  Take a Serotonin supplement or get an all natural Serotonin boost from playing sports, praying, laying in the hammock,  holding a baby, or deep breathing.  Relaxation is perhaps the best possible way of all to cut cravings.

Happy Weekend!

The sun is streaming in like liquid gold and the air is crisp with excitement.  The on-again off-again baker in me is beginning to hum.. ready to warm up the stove for some delightful treats.

Every year, about this time, I instinctively start making Lavender Sugar Cookies.. *yom*

My family & friends literally bring me cookie tins to fill up with my all natural herb flower doughy decadence.

I have it on good authority these cookies have strong anti-depressant & hunger-suppressant qualities.  So, chill out & watch your waistline, all while treating your senses to this dainty little lavender surprise!

Let’s talk turkey, well, so to speak.

While most folks are passing around their time honored recipes for the perfect Thanksgiving Day turkey, I think this is the ideal time to share a simple recipe for everyday optimal health.

Let’s get back to the basics.

The most common question I am asked as a nutritional counselor is “What supplements do I need everyday?”

I genuinely wish there was one magic pill.  Unfortunately, since we are all coming from different places physically and emotionally, it’s impossible to choose a single nutritional supplement to do the trick.  However, that being said, I do have some basic guidelines to support your strong healthy foundation on a daily basis.

Keep in mind that when your nutrition is lacking, it in essence turns the volume up on any health imbalance.  A little sniffle can easily turn into a major illness if your basic nutrition is even slightly off balance.  So turn down the volume on your mind and body’s stress level by using these 4 simple basics.

4 BASICS

1.  EAT WELL

Eat healthy foods.  Sounds simple, right?

Think nutrient rich, colorful whole foods such as blueberries, spinach, red bell peppers, etc.

You know what they say, you are what you eat.  Logic and science both tell us that fresh natural foods are important every single day.  In fact, the USDA’s Food Pyramid suggests we eat at least 5 to 9 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day.

I don’t know about you but the last time I saw someone eat that much fresh produce was myself 2 years ago when I spent 4 months on the Raw food program, eating only fresh uncooked fruit, veggies, nuts and sprouts.  Even most Vegans I know don’t eat that much fresh food every day.  So while eating well is key, it is also important to fill in the blanks, nutritionally speaking.

2.  MULTIVITAMIN

A multivitamin just makes good sense.  It covers all your bases.

I’m always looking for ways to get out of taking a huge handful of vitamins.  That is why I prefer liquid multivitamins.  Liquid vitamins digest quickly, literally beginning to digest in your mouth.  More importantly, liquid vitamins.. digest.  Where many multivitamin horse pills are so hard pressed they may not digest at all, liquid vitamins are sure to digest every time and are generally considered easier on the digestive system.

Make sure your multivitamin includes a complete B complex.  One way to know for sure if all the B vitamins are present is to look for the least two that usually get left out;  Choline and Inositol.  These 2 B vitamins go by their real name instead of a number like B6 or B12.  Even though we don’t need much Choline and Inositol, they are vastly important in breaking down bad cholesterol, strengthening our heart and for general pain management.

Also,  make sure your multivitamin has all the trace minerals.  That literally saves you from having to take a multivitamin and a multi-mineral separately.

My favorite all-purpose liquid is “Peter Gilham’s Organic Life Vitamins” that not only have all the B vitamins but also all the trace minerals and it tastes better than most liquid supplements.  ”Source of Life” is highly rated as a complete multivitamin both in its liquid and caplet forms, and is sold at most health food stores.

3.  OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

When we talk about Omega 3′s we are referring to all 3 Omega fatty acids most commonly found in fish oils.  Essential fatty acids are molecules that cannot be produced by the human body but are vital for a normal and healthy metabolism.

Research continues to show the positive benefits of Omega 3′s including reducing cancer growth, balancing cholesterol levels, and relief of inflammation for those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis.

Try to get all 3 essential fatty acids in one capsule so you don’t have to take 3 different pills.  If fish oils don’t sit well with your digestive system you may prefer Flaxseed Oil which naturally provides all 3 essential fatty acids.

4.  VITAMIN D3

More and more people are being diagnosed with severe vitamin D deficiency.  Even folks who spend plenty of time in the sun can be vitamin D deprived.

Vitamin D has some pretty important jobs including calcium synthesis, boosting the immune system and regulating the thyroid.

Many of my clients who have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency have complained about the exact same things; low energy, weight gain and more pain upon waking than when they went to bed.  If any of these sound familiar, be sure to have your Rheumatologist perform a simple blood test to reveal your vitamin D level.

Discuss with your physician before beginning any nutritional regimen.

“Homeostasis” is just a fancy word for finding your natural health equilibrium.

Defined by the Western medical community in the early 1900′s, homeostasis refers to your bodies innate ability to find a healthy balance and re-set your over-all health base-line.  Body temperature, blood sugar, oxygen levels and the circulatory system are just a few on-going systems in action constantly seeking balance.  When we are under stress, working hard or have an accident, the body seeks to maintain homeostasis though coordination of internal systems.  This could take a little while or it could be years before your body is whole again and properly regulated.

Actually, it’s not magic.  It’s Saw Palmetto, also known as the Windmill Palm or Sawtooth Palm.  These fan palms most commonly grow in the southern states of the US making them an old-time American tonic with a rich history dating all the way back to the Mayans.

Saw Palmetto produces a dark brown berry about the size of an olive.  These powerful berries contain fat-soluble extracts of naturally occurring hormones and highly beneficial steroidal compounds.

Most often used to maintain urinary tract and prostate health in men, Saw Palmetto has also been shown to be helpful for diseases of the glandular system and as a nutritive herb for folks with Diabetes.

Saw Palmetto specifically eases BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.  BPH is not life threatening; however, it affects more than half of all men over the age of 60.  BPH is the major cause of a poor nights sleep for many men, having to get up throughout the night with urinary symptoms and frequent urination.  This seemingly magic berry protects the prostate from the enlarging and irritating effects of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone).

It has been suggested that Saw Palmetto can regrow hair in cases of baldness.  It seems reasonable since this herb raises testosterone levels and is touted as a steroid substitute for athletes to increase muscle mass and aid in recovery.  However, there are no studies that prove hair re-growth for certain.  Don’t give up, guys!  The good news is there are very few side-effects and the hormonal stimulation might be proven in current studies.  Fingers crossed.

This magnificent herbal remedy is well-known though history for the benefit of men but let’s not forget that it is recommended to treat weakening urinary organs and the resulting incontinence that may occur in elderly people or women after menopause.  Saw Palmetto also strengthens the urinary organs and is often recommended for kidney stones.

Overall, these berries are highly beneficial for both the male and female reproductive systems, making it generally safe for females to take except in the case of any cancer of the female organs.  In fact, many woman have used Saw Palmetto to naturally increase their breast size.  Certainly, an inexpensive and healthy option that’s worth a try for those considering any kind of breast enlargement surgery.

Continuing on the theme of being an herb for everyone, Saw Palmetto has also been proven to effectively treat acne, calm the nerves, sooth neuralgia, ease a sore throat and combat obesity.

Find Saw Palmetto over-the-counter in health food stores and retail stores alike.  Word to the wise, powder in the capsule digests much more quickly and easily than the hard compact caplets.  Visit with your nutritionist before beginning a trial of Saw Palmetto to get the best dosage advisement.

Be Well!

The medical term for Shingles is Herpes Zoster, a re-activation of the virus that causes chickenpox.

Most often the chickenpox virus is re-activated by stress.  When the immune system gets low due to exhaustion, anxiety or immunosuppressive drugs, you can find yourself with a serious case of Shingles that does not easily disappear in a few short days.  Some cases of Shingles can flare up and last for days, weeks, even months.

Over the years, I have seen up-close the damage this illness has caused to my clients physical and emotional health and well being.  The stress that may have activated the illness does not compare to the stress of Shingles over the long-term.

3 WAYS TO STOP THE ITCH

1.  Aloe Vera is excellent for absorbing toxins from the bloodstream and escorting them out of the body.  Not only is Aloe Vera soothing to the digestive tract and immune system boosting, but it also reduces arthritic pain and diminishes tissue toxicity.  Aloe Vera will reduce the pain and inflammation of Shingles with a bonus side-effect of helping you digest more easily.

2.  Viral Recovery is a liquid homeopathic cure made by Nature’s Sunshine.  It contains micro dosages of Herpes Zoster and other immune challenging viruses so that in such small amounts the body is able to build an instant immunity to them and fight off the viruses.

I have a client who was so amazed and relieved by the positive results of Viral Recovery that she did not just take the drops under the tongue, as directed.  She also put this skin-safe liquid right onto the affected areas of her torso and back.  She claimed it worked better than anything else she had ever used for the relief of Shingles.

3.  Vitamin C with bioflavanoids are a catch-all nutrient that boosts the immune system, relieves general pain and inflammation, and eases nerve pain.  Vitamin C supplements that specifically contains bioflavanoids are extremely helpful for circulation, relief and ease of blood flow in the vascular system and helps keep the body from bruising as much.  Doctors often suggest that good nutrition can help sooth nerve pain and Vitamin C packed fruits as well as nutritional supplements are certainly one of the easiest and best options in relieving neuralgia.