Shape Your Weigh

Garlic - Why You Should Be Eating More!

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I'm studying more about naturopathic remedies and came across this tidbit in the "Staying Healthy With Nutrition" book.

Garlic. Researchers are seeing some new uses for garlic regarding energy balance, primarily because of its impact on blood sugar.  Some of the substances that can hook up with insulin and deactivate it end up hooking up with compounds in garlic instead, and the result is increasing availability of insulin and better control of blood sugar.  some of garlic's components can also stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.  For these reasons, garlic is starting to be used in relationship to diabetes, where it seems able to improve blood sugar regulation and energy balance.

Excerpt from - Staying Healthy With Nutrition

I always knew there was a reaon why I loved garlic.  Even more reason to keep eating it.  Enjoy folks! :)

Let Food Be Thy Medicine

Now that Relay for Life is over for another year, I feel the opportunity to take a breather and start blogging more.

I blogged before about the difficulties I have with my acne.  I've been on amoxicillin now for a year and a half and the last  6 months I have definitely noticed a drain on my body.  I was tired all the time, I'd wake up still tired.  Doing a workout was a chore.  I'd fall asleep in the car on the way home from work.  My mood swings were like clockwork on Day 13 & 14 of my cycle.  It was insane.  I found myself in a position where I had to decide - what's worse?  Acne or feeling like this?  I decided I didn't want to feel like crap anymore so I made an appointment to visit a naturopath in Charlottetown named Gretchen MacLean.

We  sat down for an hour and a half and Gretchen nodded her head and didn't seem shocked or surprised by any of the details I gave her.  The tiredness.  The mood swings.  The urge for sugar around my cycle.  The trouble with weight gain.  I told her I didn't want to take the pill, which was recommended by the specialist in Moncton and my family doctor.  I was extremely relieved when she told me I didn't have to.  Here's what she told me.

1) Being on antibioitics long term should result in regular yeast infections (sorry boys).  When I told her I never had one in my life, that was a big clue.  I've told this to many doctors before and never got an answer.  Just an "Oh!  Well count yourself lucky!  You should probably eat some yogurt though."  Gretchen told me that the yeast is probably in my gut somewhere and that's precisely why my body craves sugar.  Clean eating for a week or 2 starves the bacteria and the yeast looks for sugar to thrive.  It was a ticking time bomb and I finally had the reason why it was so hard lately.  Huge relief.

2) Artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and Aspartame have to go.  Some research has shown that it can cause an insulin response and be detrimental to weight loss.  There is also the uncertainty about whether or not they cause cancer.  Recommendation - no more artificial sweenters.  I can have unpasteurized honey, pure maple syrup and agave nectar for sweeteners.  Stevia is also allowed.

3) Caffine.  No more.  I was drinking coffee in a desperate attempt to keep my energy levels up and in the process was taxing my adrenal system.  No more caffeine.  The first 5 days were rough, headaches, felt like vomiting but I got through it.

4) Progesterone.  I've been tracking my cycles using an iPhone app for the last 2 years.  I've been regular like clockwork.  For the past 6 months I decided to track every time I had a mood swing too.  I noted that they always occurred around cycle day 10-13 which is ovulation time.  Our hypothesis at this time is that my progesterone levels are low.  Gretchen prescribed a progesterone cream which I take nighly from cycle day 14 until the day my period starts.  It's a gentler way than taking the pill and I absolutely love it.

5) Blood work.  I told Gretchen all about my past experiences with allergy testing.  She advised we should do a range of bloodwork to test for food sensitivities.  We also took some blood to test my yeast levels.  The results should be back in the next 2 weeks.  I can't wait to see what they say.  My blood will be tested against 187 different foods to see what I may have a sensitivity too.  I'm guessing wheat and dairy but time will tell.

6) Diet.  Welcome Primal Blue Print - free range eggs, grass fed beef and chicken.  Grain fed animals are higher in Omega-6 and are usually fed antibiotics.  What the animal eats - you eat.  I have moved to grass fed beef, free range chicken and eggs.  It's more expensive but worth it.  The taste difference in beef is night and day - yummy.  Always good to support local farmers too. :)  Carbohydrate sources should come primarly from fresh fruits and veggies.  We aren't cutting gluten at this point but that may be recommended when the blood work comes back.

7) Omega-3 supplement - High potency Omega-3 supplement which I take daily.

8) Probitioic - I take a high quality probitioic daily with food.

9) Herbal Tincture - I'm taking a herbal tincture daily to help my adrenal system.

 I've been following this program for the past 4 weeks and I can already see a big difference.  I'm not falling asleep in the car on the way home.  I haven't had a mood swing.  I dropped 6 lbs.  I have more energy and I wake up in the mornin before the alarm clock goes off.  I feel like my memory is improving.  I don't need to be reminded of things a million times.  Little things that we probably take for granted are starting to improve.  Skin wise I'm doing okay.  I still take my antibiotic but not daily.  This week I took it once in 5 days.  The hope is to cut it out completely.

I know this is a long post.  I hope I didn't bore everyone.  If anything, I hope sharing this post will give others hope that may be struggling with a skin or medical condition where they aren't getting answers.  I never would have went to see Gretchen if a co-worker hadn't recommended her so highly.  I felt like I had nothing to lose, and his good word gave me the push I needed to go visit.  I'm very happy I did. :)

Feel That Tune?

Welcome to my second post using the How Now - 50 Ways to Celebrate the Present Moment cards.  Today's card is: Feel That Tune? 

The human voice is like an orchestra.  Each sound it makes connects us to a different emotional or sensory state.  Taking our voices beyond their usual range brings new possibilities to each passing moment.  To do so, find a location where no one else can hear you.  Then start humming, whooping, chirping, and clucking.  Make every sound that comes to mind, from bass to falsetto, from whisper to shout.  Every time you feel silly, just bow to the sensation and keep going.  Let one sound shift into another until you don't know what's coming next, until the sounds are leading you.

If you are interested in purchasing these cards you can buy them online through the Amazon website.  Enjoy!

The Magic - A Book Review

I'm reading a new book I picked up yesterday called "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne. My friends from the Rainbow Sharing Circle decided to read it as a group and hold discussions on each chapter.  I couldn't wait to pick up my own copy. :)

The book captured my attention from the beginning. The author talks about what it was like to be a child and find everything to be so mystifying and "magical." Butterflies were beautiful. Fairies lived in gardens. Perhaps you believed in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. If you were like myself and most other children, you will recall just how exciting this was. Dreaming of Santa's magical reindeer. Wondering how he delivered all those toys in one night but having faith he would be there. Wondering how the Easter bunny made it from house to house being such a small bunny.  "He doesn't have reindeer like Santa!  How does he do it??"  It was incredibly exciting.  As we grew older we lost this magic though. The holidays became stressful. The only taste of "the magic" some of us got was by interacting with children. We remember what it was like to feel that way. It's a little sad that we lose this as adults. The author tells us we can get this magic back though. The question becomes, how?

Chapter two shares a quote from the gospel of Matthew:

"Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."

Sounds pretty harsh doesn't it?  This could be interpreted that the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.  But there's a riddle to be solved in this passage.  A mystery to uncover, and when you know it a new world will open up for you.

The answer to the mystery is hidden in one word: gratitude.

"Whoever has gratitude will be given more, and he or she will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have gratitude, even what he or she has will be taken from him or her."

If you don't take the time to be grateful you will never have more, and what you do have you will lose.

Gratitude. One simple word. The Universal law.  The law of attraction, which governs that all energy in our Universe, from the formation of an atom to the movement of the planets, "like attracts like."  It's because of the law of attraction that cells of every living creature are held together, as well as the substance of every material object.  In your life, the law operates on your thoughts and feelings, because they are energy too, and so whatever you think, whatever you feel, you attract to you."

Are you truly grateful for all that you have? Or are you like me sometimes. I have days where I hate my job. I wish I made more money. I wish I had fewer bills. I wish I had a big house in Charlottetown. I wish I was skinner, prettier, etc. We take for granted what we do have. We put out messages of dissatisfaction with who we are and what we have. In doing this, it is said the Universe will give us more of what we ask for. More stress at work. More bills. More debt. Do we really want that? I certainly don't and I know I have the "magic" to change it.

Today was a beautiful day on PEI. Sadly however, I woke up thinking "Man this sucks. Tomorrow is Monday. I have to go back to work and I'm on call another week. I bet the on call phone will be busy.  It's a holiday too.  Why does life have to suck sometimes??"  Talk about an ungrateful attitude!!  Thankfully, I was able to gain some sense and realize what I was doing.  I made a gratitude list which I'm going to share:

1. I am thankful to HAVE a job.  There are so many people who don't have jobs.  The job I have is a good job with the government that pays me well.  The job is challenging but it affords my family and I the ability to pay our mortgage, keep food on the table, take vacations and enjoy some luxuries in life.
2. I have a loving family.  My husband, my children.  We all woke up this morning - TOGETHER, under one roof.  Happy.  Healthy.  Alive.  There are families that are torn apart due to divorce.  Families that are apart due to spouses having to work off island.  We are lucky to be here, together!
3. We have a roof over our head.  Yes we pay a mortgage on it but we don't worry about being homeless, being cold, or wondering where we will spend the night.
4. We have never gone hungry.  We have an abundance of food.  In fact, many nights we get the luxury of CHOOSING what we want to eat.  Sadly not everyone in this world can say this.
5. We went to church today, after not being there in quite some time and were welcomed with open arms and greeted kindly.  
6. We spent the afternoon hiking the Greenwich trail with wonderful friends!  We got to take in the beauty of nature while being healthy.  No sweating to cardio on a treadmill.  We were surrounded by friendship and Mother Nature.  It was truly beautiful. :)

There are many things in life to be grateful for.  This list barely scratches the surface.  I encourage everyone to consider reading this book, or at least giving some thought towards creating your own gratitude list.  I'm anxious to see what results I will have with this change in attitude.  I already feel happier.  I feel like a weight has been lifted and I feel 'light' if that makes sense.  I'm doing my best not to stress and to just enjoy and be grateful for every moment I have. :)

What are you grateful for?

How Now - 50 Ways to Celebrate the Present Moment

I bought this little gem at Indigo a few months ago during a trip to Moncton.  It was on the discount table for $4.99 and the pretty box caught my attention.  The box was shrink wrapped so I couldn't open it up or a preview.  I decided to take the less than $5 risk and give it a shot.  I enjoy reading self help and fulfillment books so I was hopeful these cards would be good.  I'm very happy to say they were worth every penny and much more.

Description on the back of the box

In every moment there is the opportunity for peace, joy, and fulfillment.  Most of us - caught up in the frenzy of everyday life - race by, leaving the gifts of each moment unclaimed.  If you're ready to stop stressing and start living, the How Now deck is your launch pad.  Inside, best-selling author Raphael Cushnir provides 50 meditations that will inspire, engage and reconnect you with the present moment.  From learning the secret of natural breathing to rediscovering the power of play, each card features a simple and joyous meditative exercise.  Card by card, you'll discover new ways to take stock of your life, shatter long-held fears, and reveal your true potential.  The How Now deck is your guide to achieving the life you were truly meant to live...beginning right now. 

I just recently started using these cards and following the exercises and I already feel they have helped me a great deal.  I plan on sharing a card on my blog from time to time to give my readers something to think about as well.  Here is my card for today.

The Gratitude Card (isn't she lovely?)

For those that find the card difficult to read I will type it out below:

Are You Growing Your Gratitude?

Gratitude increases in direct proportion to our focus upon it. To grow your own gratitude, make a list of 10 things for which you're grateful.  Once the list is complete, let yourself actually feel gratitude for each item.  Keep this list by your bedside and look it over frequently.  Every time you recognize another thing for which you're grateful, add it to the list.  The results are both immediate and lasting.

How are you growing your gratitude?  Think about it!

Eating Healthy is Expensive - BUSTED

"Eating healthy is so expensive!  It's cheaper to eat out or to eat bad food."

While I won't completely disagree with that statement - eating healthy doesn't always have to be expensive.  For instance, this morning I made a trip to the Turning Point in Montague and bought the following items:

• Organic Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce
• 2 bags of House Tofu Shirataki Noodles
• Just Us Fair Trade Dark Chocolate

All of these products came to a little over $12.  It will make 4 meals - so $3 per meal.  That's including my dessert!  (Hello dark chocolate!)  This is cheaper than McDonalds and healthy for you.

I'd also like to talk about the kindness factor in shopping local.  I get a lot of my groceries from the SuperStore and Sobeys.  Nothing against them or the staff at all.  However, today Alex and I had a wonderful experience at the Turning Point.  Turning Point owner Chris Mermuys was there and was so incredibly friendly and kind to us.  He struck up a conversation with my son while we were shopping, and politely asked if we had time  to stay for a few minutes so he could show Alex how to draw "a simple pig using only 3 circles."  It was a kind offer and one we will remember.  I'm already a regular customer at the store going for various holistic treatments with Debbie Betts but I will certainly be doing more grocery shopping there. :)

Another thing I love about the products at the store?  When reading the label - I can pronounce everything on the list!

 If you are from the Montague area - please show your support for this wonderful little store and stop by!  I highly recommend the Fair Trade dark chocolate sitting at the checkout counter. ;)

First Cleanse - Day 1 Review

I woke up this morning still holding this cold.  To say I'm frustrated would be an understatement.  I just want to feel better and to be able to breathe through my nose.  It's been a week and I'm still completely stuffed up and have a hard time getting my breathe.  My nose is red raw and getting scabby from all the kleenex action I'm giving it.  It hurts really bad.  Moisturizing helps but it's not enough.  Vitamin D, lemon water, Reiki, clean eating, sleeping - I'm doing everything I can think of to beat this cold but it's hanging tough.  .  On the plus side, I did manage to complete a small workout this afternoon downstairs with the TRX.  It was tough but I got through it.  :)

I will beat this cold!  I will beat this cold!  I will beat this cold!  Power of positive thinking right? lol

Today was day 2 of the First Cleanse.  I noticed that I didn't have much of an appetite for breakfast when I woke up this morning.  I only ate half my oatmeal...finished all the eggs!  Morning snack time arrived at 10 am and I didn't feel like eating.  I'm pretty sure it was close to 11 before I decided to eat my snack.  I don't know if the cleanse is doing it's thing or if it's just this cold.  I was eating fine last week so I'm going to give some credit to the cleanse.  I will post more updates throughout the week to let everyone know how I get along.

Right now I just really want this cold to go away.  I'm dying to go for a run outdoors with Sarah now that the sun is shining but I know it would only set me back in recovering if I tried.  I need to get rid of this cold first.  I guess it could be worse.  At least I don't have the stomach flu!

I hope everyone is doing well!

Cleansing Time–Round 2

Some people will remember I posted about doing a cleanse back in December.  The cleanse was taken for 15 days and I had really great results with it.  I lost 13 lbs, I had lots of energy and my skin looked much better.  Right now I’m having a horrible time with a cold I can’t shake.  My sinuses are congested, my throat is sore and my energy levels are nil.  My skin is also looking horrible.  After some thought it came to me that perhaps I should try to do another cleanse.  I started the program this morning and I hope it will help cleanse whatever bug I have in my system out.  I will keep everyone posted on how I get along.  Weight loss isn’t the goal with taking this again.  This cold alone has made me lose 8 lbs in a week.  I’m just hoping it will help get me on the path to feeling better!

Lemon Water to the Rescue

I have been battling a horrible cold since Monday and I just can’t seem to get rid of it.  My sinuses are stuffy and my throat is achy.  The sinuses are definitely the worst of it.  I have been taking my multi-vitamin and vitamin D to try to beat it but this cold still lingers. 

A co-worker brought some lemons to work on Monday so I started adding lemon to my water.  I read that lemon water is great for cleansing so I have been drinking it a lot.  So far it appears to be helping but my sinuses are still bad.  Quite a few people have been off work due to illness.  The kids were sick last week so I figured it was just my turn to come down with something.  Poor Allison was sick again on Thursday night though.   I don’t know what type of bug is going around but I wish it would leave already!

If you would like to read more about the benefits of Lemon Water you can check it out here

Reiki Level II Certification

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of starting my level II Reiki certification with Debbie Betts.  For those who follow my blog you will recall I took my Reiki Level 1 certification 3 weeks ago.  Since then I have been practicing Reiki on myself daily and can really notice a difference in my stress levels. People who know me well, know that I can be very quick tempered and that I get stressed out very easily.  In learning and practicing the Reiki precepts on a daily basis I have been able to bring that under control a great deal.  I feel much more relaxed and centered.  I feel a great sense of peace and comfort.  I feel happy.  The better I feel, the more I want to learn about Reiki and share it with others.

I did some reading before deciding to pursue my level II certification.  Some Masters believe you should wait 6 months to a year before you advance so you can give yourself time to practice.  In the end, it’s up to your Reiki Master to determine when you are ready.  I was having some serious doubts about whether I was ready until I read a message thread on a Reiki forum about how Dr. Usui went on a holy mountain for 21 days where he fasted and meditated.  On the 21st day he was enlightened with knowledge of Reiki.  A few people on the forum have said that “21 days” is the key number.  Yesterday would have been 21 days since I took my level 1 Reiki so I took that as my sign to proceed. Debbie also believed I was ready.  I never would have proceeded without her say so.

Here’s where I may start to lose a few people. Trust me when I say if I read it on someone else’s blog I’d think “Yeah right!” but please believe me when I say what I’m about to share is true.  There were 3 of us taking our Level II Reiki certification.  I don’t know these women at all.  I know nothing of their background or of their families.  As part of the Reiki training we practiced healing on one another.  In doing treatment you call upon your 3 highest angels to guide and protect you in offering treatment.  Reiki is spiritual but it is NOT a religion.  I was told I may get messages in the form of words or pictures, sounds, etc.  I’m an IT, analytical nerd so I thought “Yeah right that’s not going to happen to me.”  I started doing a treatment on one of the women…let’s call her Lisa (although that’s not her name).  The treatment was going as normal until I got to her head area.  When I got there I had a picture of a little black dog enter my mind.  I asked Lisa if she had a little dog and I got an immediate gasp throughout the room.  It turns out Lisa had just put her dog down a week ago and I was seeing him with her.  I have no idea how this happened, it just came to my mind.  I had other things come to me as well but I won’t share those as they were pretty private.  Let’s just say they were 3 big things that I shouldn’t have known.  I didn’t know them.  They were told me so that I could deliver them to her.  I wasn’t frightened when it happened.  To be quite honest I was shocked as hell because I’m a computer nerd and I have no explanation for gaining this information.  I know what I believe now but I’m not going to get preachy on here.  I will just say the experience was beautiful and I feel extremely blessed to have experienced it and to be able to have shared it with Lisa.

Please make no mistake in thinking that Reiki is about talking to spirits or passing along messages.  Reiki is about balancing the energy systems and healing.  It’s not uncommon for messages to come through but that’s not the intent during treatment.  If it happens, it happens but there are never any promises. 

I look forward to meeting with the girls again next weekend to complete my level II.  We will be learning how to do distant healing with Reiki.  I can’t wait!