Thanks to You All—and Why That Matters
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Today, I am abundantly grateful for you—for you doing your part to bring yourself to a new level of fulfillment, connection, and peace. There are family members, workmates, and people in the Third World being uplifted at this moment because you chose to remember who you are … so on behalf of the rest of us, thanks.
It is interesting to me how much people chat about what is not going right. I was recently on a plane to Chicago, and I listened in on the conversation behind me (pretty loud, so it was easy). Almost every comment was about what was wrong or what might go wrong in future.
Did you know that for every thing that seems wrong in your life, there are at least 100 right things? Let’s start with what you ate today, this breath right now, your heart beating, air to breathe…
I have trained my brain so well that I have developed a sense of peace about my life, your life, and the world’s direction—not because it’s perfect now, but because I can see what is coming and what is possible. And you are part of that. I hope you are proud of yourself!
Try this on today: Thank three people who you have not formally acknowledged. Watch what happens! Hey, for that matter, maybe you could do this every day?
If all you did the rest of your life was be grateful for the life you are living, your life would give you more and more reasons to be grateful. You would need another lifetime to write the gratitude list.
Jennifer Hough
Take a Break from Technology
Filed Under Entrepreneurs with a Conscience | 1 Comment
Living in a world of technology, it can be hard to break free from it. Everywhere you turn there’s always someone chatting on a cell phone, typing an email on a BlackBerry, or playing a game on a handheld game device.
Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but it makes me curious why some can’t or don’t want to get away from it all whenever they can. Has our world become so obsessed and dependent on technology that we can’t live without it?
Thinking back to a time where we didn’t have as much technology (or none at all), we seemed to do just fine and were maybe less stressed. Nowadays, life seems to fly by at light-speed and that pesky to-do list seems to pile higher, faster. It’s essential to take some time to breathe – even if it means taking a half hour, finding some peace and getting away from it all. Turn off that cell phone, wait to check that email, and walk away from the computer. Technology (and that pesky to-do list) can wait.
~Amanda~
Best Iron Food and Supplement Sources
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | 2 Comments
Iron in foods
If you are looking to improve your iron status through diet, here are the best sources from foods (5-18 mg/100 g food): liver, prune juice, kidney, heart, molasses, pork, beef, sunflower seeds, kidney beans, pinto beans, oyster, clam, lima beans, lentils, navy beans, sesame seeds, tahini, chickpeas, hummous, lamb, egg yolk, rice polishings, rice bran, millet, parsley, Jerusalem artichoke, buckwheat.
Less concentrated iron food sources (1-5 mg/100 g food): walnuts, mustard greens, soy milk, almonds, cashews, chicken, turkey, shrimp, tuna, mackerel, veal, wheat germ, sardines, dandelion greens, butternut squash, dates, prunes, tomato juice, split peas, liverwurst, tortillas, peas, brewer’s yeast, raisins, Brussels sprouts, kale, collards, spinach, apricots, peaches, turnip greens, beet tops, whole grain cereals, lentils, kelp, tofu, tempeh, whey powder, watercress, elderberries, endive, cucumbers, chestnuts, chard, barley, Brazil nuts, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, persimmons, brown rice.
Iron supplements
Most medical doctors recommend 300 mg of ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate once or twice daily for iron deficiency. Many different brands of this type of iron supplement are available at a regular pharmacy. These would be fine if they didn’t cause black stools, stomach irritation, and constipation in most people taking them. In addition, their absorption into the bloodstream is weak. In severe cases of diarrhea, they might have a role to play as alternatives to narcotics or other toxic constipating drugs. The constipation side effect can sometimes be ameliorated by taking the pharmaceutical iron with a hefty dose of vitamin C (1000 mg or more). As you may know, high doses of vitamin C can cause loose bowel movements.
If you would prefer to use more of a natural iron supplement, I recommend the health food store brand Floradix liquid iron and Floravital (the same, only yeast-free), made in Germany by Salus-Haus and distributed in North America by Flora. Constipation is usually not a problem with these because the iron is in a liquid form and also contains some vitamin B12 and fruit juice concentrates for better absorption. Floradix is also available in a tablet form. I have recommended the Floradix brand with excellent results for over 20 years.
In addition, numerous popular health food store brands make iron citrate, iron aspartate, and iron picolinate supplements, which are all much better tolerated and absorbed than the harsh pharmaceutical iron tablets. They are freely available in the USA; however, the laws governing nutritional supplements is considerably different in Canada, and the asparate and picolinate versions are hard to find there.
Iron can be a double-edged sword. If you are on any iron supplement, it’s important to get your blood checked periodically in case of developing iron overload, a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and liver problems. This issue is especially important in men and post-menopausal women who do not have the opportunity of monthly iron loss through menstruation.
Dr. Zoltan Rona
Loving Your Family
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If you love your family, wonderful. If they bug you, still love them, because they are teachers. If they have been unfit in some way, then you have already manifested the family you need … and they aren’t related to you.
If you can’t love your family from near, just love them from afar. They can feel it … no drama necessary. And if you can love them from near, then love them with all of your might.
Jennifer Hough
The Benefits of Vinegar: Cleaning Glass and Soap Scum
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Although vinegar has a certain pungent smell, we can’t argue the beneficial cleaning power it harbors. Over the next few weeks, I’ll provide a few cleaning tips we at Clean My Space have used involving vinegar, which I am sure you will find beneficial.
Vinegar works just as well as, if not better than, your run-of-the-mill glass cleaners. What we do for ease of use is place vinegar in a spray bottle (usually available at the dollar store) and treat it as regular glass cleaner. Mist it on and buff it off – it works perfectly. You may even want to use newspaper, which leaves glass streak-free. Don’t forget to recycle the newspaper afterwards!
Vinegar is also amazing in the shower (tub and tiles) for cleaning hardened-on soap scum. Vinegar eats right through stubborn stains just as well as a store-bought soap scum remover. Again, we use a spray bottle for the application, allow it to sit for about 5 minutes, then scrub off with a sponge. A rinse and buff will leave the shower glass and tiles looking utterly perfect! It also leaves stainless steel shiny, so give all fixtures a quick spray and buff with a clean and dry cloth.
Melissa
10 Ways to Help Prevent Breast Cancer – Part 8
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8. “Other-centered” people, who do things for others before they look after their own needs, must learn to say NO.
Start to look after yourself before giving all to others. Become assertive in a positive way. The common thread in cancer patients is unfulfilled passion that had been suppressed for many years. This pattern of suppression would repeat itself over their lifetime. Oddly enough, studying piano later in life or fulfilling another previously unfulfilled passion has an amazing transformational effect.
Dr. Alex Mostovoy
Choosing Beliefs
Filed Under Holistic Law | 1 Comment
Wikipedia defines “choice” as follows:
Choice consists of the mental process of thinking involved with the process of judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them for action. Some simple examples include deciding whether to get up in the morning or go back to sleep and selecting a given route to make a journey across a country. More complex examples (often decisions that affect what a person thinks or their core beliefs) include choosing a religious affiliation, such as Christianity, or deciding on a political party of choice, such as Republican or Democrat.
Wikipedia defines “belief” as:
the psychological state in which an individual is convinced of the truth of a proposition. Like the related concepts truth, knowledge, and wisdom, there is no precise definition of belief on which scholars agree…
We all have beliefs—lots of them. However, many of us have never bothered to reflect on how we managed to acquire all of these beliefs. Some of us don’t even think of them as beliefs; they are just “facts,” true statements about life, people, the world.
The truth of the matter is that we have chosen each and every belief that we hold, and just because we believe something is true today, that doesn’t mean that we will believe it is true tomorrow.
For example, when I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s, I was taught (and I chose to believe) that the Earth was the third planet from the sun in a solar system that consisted of nine planets and that the last and smallest planet in the solar system was Pluto. However, if, once again, we consult Wikipedia, we find that:
[I]n the late 20th and early 21st centuries many objects similar to Pluto were discovered in the outer solar system, most notably the scattered disc object Eris, which is 27% more massive than Pluto. As a result, on August 24, 2006 the [International Astronomical Union (“IAU”)] defined the term “planet” for the first time. This definition excluded Pluto from planethood, and reclassified it under the new category of dwarf planet along with Eris and Ceres. After the reclassification, Pluto was added to the list of minor planets and given the number 134340.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto
So, today, lots of people no longer believe that Pluto is the sun’s 9th planet because they respect the knowledge accumulated regarding this matter by the folks at the IAU and they, therefore, take the IAU pronouncement as fact. Others disagree because they were taught that Pluto was the 9th planet from the sun, they have always “known” that Pluto was the 9th planet from the sun, and it, therefore, is going to stay 9th planet from the sun! I will leave that debate to others, tipping in the direction of accepting the IAU’s current position, until it changes. Choosing whether or not to believe that Pluto is the 9th planet from the sun just doesn’t have a great impact on my life.
There are other choices, however, that do have an impact on my life. Here are two that I want to talk about today:
1. You can choose to believe that the past is perfect simply because you cannot change it.
Why would I want to do that? Let’s take a closer look.
I often ask my clients to consider the possibility that the past is perfect simply because you cannot change it.
I start by asking them if they believe that they can change the past. So far, I haven’t met a single client who has told me that he or she can do that.
Then I tell them that once I, for one, have chosen to believe that something is NOT perfect, I will want to find ways to make it more perfect. It’s human nature. I am going to want to CHANGE it.
Well, we have already agreed that we cannot change the past.
Therefore, if we choose to believe that the past is not perfect, we are CONDEMNING OURSELVES to wanting to change something that we simply CANNOT change.
That, my friends, is CRAZY MAKING!
Why would you ever want to do that to yourself? Why would you choose to drive yourself crazy chasing your tail trying to do something that you know you simply cannot do?
However, that is EXACTLY what you do when you choose to believe that the past is not perfect. And most people do.
The result is anger, frustration, guilt, resentment—any of a long list of emotions that eat away at your mind, your body, and your soul.
Why would you ever want to do that to yourself? Don’t! Instead, just choose to believe that the past is perfect simply because you cannot change it.
You don’t need any more reason than that.
2. You can choose to believe that everyone does the best they possibly can, given the resources available to them.
Why would I want to do that? Well, let’s see.
I often ask my clients to consider the possibility that everyone in their lives does the best they possibly can, given the resources available to them, and I emphasize the “given the resources available to them” part.
Just as when you choose to believe that the past is not perfect, you want to change it, if you choose to believe that someone else is NOT doing the best they possibly could, you are going to want them to do BETTER, to do their BEST. The problem with that desire is that you have no control over it.
The truth of the matter is that you can’t make anyone else do anything! It is always THEIR CHOICE how to behave, what to do, what not to do—not yours.
This is where the Serenity Prayer comes in. Asking for the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference is much easier when you believe that everyone does the best they possibly can, given the resources available to them. You get to focus on what YOU can change, and that’s YOU, your thoughts, your beliefs, your actions.
When you choose to believe that everyone does the best they can, given the resources available to them, your focus can shift from making other people wrong for not doing what you want them to do, to looking for ways to help them to acquire the resources they will need to produce the result that you desire.
Rather than being filled with anger and resentment toward these others because you are not experiencing the outcome you anticipated or desired, you feel compassion for them because they are doing the best they can; they just need more and better resources.
Now the inquiry is “How can I help?” “How do we get them the resources they need?” rather than “Why can’t you . . .?” “Why won’t they . . .?” All of a sudden, you are in a collaborative problem-solving mode, rather than one of shame and blame, anger, and resentment. All of your energy is used constructively, moving forward toward a solution to your mutual problem, rather than wasting effort and vital energy parceling out blame.
So, if you combine the belief that the past is perfect (and therefore, any “mistakes” that you have made in the past have been transformed into “perfect” opportunities for personal growth and positive change) with the belief that everyone else is doing the best they possibly can, given the resources available to them, (and therefore, you feel compassion for them and want to help them acquire more and better resources), you then give yourself maximum power and control over your present so that all of your energy can be used and focused on crafting solutions to the problems that you are currently facing, and to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that those problems present.
You are free to choose your beliefs. Choose beliefs that serve you!
Philip J. Daunt, Esq.
Clothes Exchange
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How much money do you think you spend on children’s clothes every year? Probably a lot more than you spend on your own wardrobe. Kids’ clothes seem to be increasingly expensive, but the need for new ones never seems to end.
With three boys, I always have people telling me I’m lucky because I only have to buy one set for the oldest and then hand them down to his younger brothers. If only! If I can get through a month without a rip or a tear or a permanent stain, I’m lucky!
We do recycle a lot of clothes in our house though. It not only saves a ton of money and time shopping, but it also saves the environment because any reduction in consumption is a good thing. As kids get older, they grow more slowly, so they can stay in the same shirt (provided they don’t trash it) for a full year. If you buy big and roll up the sleeves you can save yourself a lot.
Baby clothes are a different story. Kids grow so fast that you constantly feel like your baby has nothing that fits him or her. A lot of our clients set up clothes exchanges with friends. Here’s how it works. Box up your baby clothes in batches from 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, and 12-18 month containers for each gender. Label each item with your initials. Send out an e-mail to friends you know who are expecting, have babies, or who have friends with babies, and then arrange a pick-up time for the box. Soon, you will have much more room in your closets and someone will be returning the favor, giving you stuff their child has grown out of.
If you want the items back to use for a second baby or for your sister who hasn’t had kids yet, make sure you let people know. In our experience people treat these clothes with respect and take good care of them. Expect a few to get stained or torn, but your generosity will come back to you in the savings of hundreds of dollars as full boxes of clothes for your own baby arrive on your doorstep. You are also saving the environment, and thus your child’s planet, by reducing your consumption and the consumption of others.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Don’t Fast at Breakfast
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A new study just recently released reaffirmed what we already know: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
The five-year study by a Cambridge hospital followed nearly 7,000 people and found that those who ate breakfast generally put on the least amount of weight even though they ate more food during the course of the day. The researchers showed that people who did not eat substantial breakfasts tended to store more fat between lunch and dinner. Over a five year period, those who ate breakfast gained less weight than those who did not, despite the fact that their overall daily calorie intake was higher.
This is just the latest study to confirm that eating in the early morning is essential for good health. A 2003 study showed that eating a substantial breakfast lowers the risk of heart attack and diabetes.
Shockingly, despite the conclusive body of evidence, a majority of North Americans admit that they do NOT eat breakfast every morning. We know it’s sometimes very hard for moms, who are struggling to feed their kids, get ready for work or the day, and get themselves dressed, to make time to think about their own breakfast. Why not enjoy sitting down with your kids for this meal and gearing up for the day together?
Here are some ideas that don’t take time to make but do keep you feeling satisfied until a small morning snack. Try a low-sugar whole grain cereal with fruit and yogurt; a soft-boiled egg with whole wheat toast spears; or a protein-packed shake with tofu, yogurt, honey, and frozen fruit all mixed in a blender.
If you are struggling to make time for breakfast, set your alarm 10 minutes earlier and make it a priority. Study after study shows that this is a choice you should make for your health.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Let’s Talk About Fat
Filed Under Naturopathy | Leave a Comment
Fat is a mega-nutrient that is critical to maintaining a healthy body and brain. In the body fat is broken down into the micronutrient fatty acid where it is able to be utilized by the body. Fat, also called adipose tissue, is found in the subcutaneous layer of the skin and surrounding our vital organs. Fat assists in the absorption of many nutrients, provides protection and insulation, is a back-up energy source and storage site for fat-soluble vitamins, and assists in nerve transmission and temperature regulation.
We know that dietary fat can be found in a variety of sources: saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans-fat. It can make your head spin just trying to figure out what all the different terms mean. So rather than make this a discussion about what you should eat versus what you shouldn’t eat, I decided to define some of the terms associated with fat to help you identify those sources in your diet that are healthier choices and reduce or eliminate those unhealthy fat choices.
Hydrogenation: During the manufacturing process, hydrogen is added to liquid fat to solidify it and stabilize the atoms. By doing so, products can stay on the shelf longer, reducing spoilage.
Trans-fat: This is the end result of hydrogenation. Trans fat is the worst kind of fat, as it clogs arteries and makes us fat. It provides absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever.
Cholesterol: A fatty substance that is produced in the liver and necessary for a variety of bodily functions such as production of cell membranes, bile, and hormones. Because the body makes cholesterol, we need very little of it from dietary sources. Too much and it can harden and clog our arteries, which causes heart disease and stroke.
Saturated fat: Fat that is solid at room temperature. It is found in fatty cuts of meat, dairy products, butter, lard, solid shortening, many fried and processed foods, and in some plant sources such as palm and coconut oils. It raises blood cholesterol levels and results in increase risk for heart disease and stroke.
Polyunsaturated fat: A healthier form of fat that the body can better utilize. Found in vegetable oils and in omega-3 (fatty fish such as salmon, halibut, mackerel, flounder, sole, herring, trout, tuna and sardines, and in walnuts, flaxseed, and canola oil) and omega-6 (corn, sunflower, safflower, and soybean oils) products. Most Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and have too much omega-6 fatty acids in their diets. Balance between these two powerhouses is critical to maintaining healthy blood vessels and heart.
Monounsaturated fat: Fat that is liquid at room temperature and is found in olive, grapeseed, and pumpkin oils, as well as in nuts such as brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and cashews. Also found in vitamin E and avocados.
Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are found to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. They also help to promote healthy skin and body cell integrity, and may promote a healthy immune system.
To learn more about fat and how to keep your heart healthy, visit the National Cholesterol Education Program at www.nhibi.nih.gov/chd. With all the food choices available to us it is easy to cut out bad fat and increase healthy food choices to keep our brain and body functioning at optimal levels. A little prevention goes a long way and you will be glad you did!
In health and wellness,
Dr. Linda
