Go Against the Current
Filed Under Entrepreneurs with a Conscience | Leave a Comment
Many people become fickle, believing that if something goes wrong or does not seem right that it must be a sign from the Universe that this is not right.
Well, if every bump in the road makes you change course, then no, it is not for you. Because life will try to hinder your awakening.
When salmon swim upstream and return home, they struggle against the current, with many obstacles in their way.
You, too, must go against the current to fulfill your purpose.
— Eric Pepin, The Handbook of the Navigator
I think this statement should be posted in everyone’s home, office, and car. It’s a great reminder to keep challenging ourselves even when it seems too hard to carry forward. Push on … push on.
Think about it: what if you never challenged yourself, challenged someone or something? What if we all gave up on our passions because it was just too hard? We and the world around us would be as stagnant and lifeless as a rock. Now tell me, what kind of existence is that? That’s right—it’s just an existence.
That statement really hits home for me because it’s something I find comfort and motivation in at times when I don’t feel that I’m following the right path or that it’s too much of a struggle to get to my “destination.” It reminds me to keep going because the greatest things in life (I think) have a little bit of “challenge” attached to them in some form. I think that the struggle, just like the journey, is more important than the destination. And worth every bit of sweat.
If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.
— Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own
~Amanda~
Who’s Making Your Clothes?
Filed Under Entrepreneurs with a Conscience | Leave a Comment
At Creating Good Karma, we’re excited to bring on board some new articles of clothing and intimates that are “sweatshop-free.” Since you wear clothing so close to your heart and the rest of your body, why not feel good about the apparel you choose?
Word’s getting out about our feel-good approach! Click here to check it out.
Plus—when you order from Creating Good Karma, we donate a portion of sales to the Charity of the Month. Let us know what your favorite charity is so we can do our part to improve the world you live in!
~Amanda~
Natural Treatments for Hives
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | Leave a Comment
Hives (urticaria) is the name given to a skin eruption characterized by outbreaks of red, itchy, occasionally swollen welts on the skin associated with histamine release. They are most often treated by conventional doctors with antihistamines or corticosteroids. Hives can be the result of anxiety, viral infections, chemical exposure or hidden food allergies.
Food allergies can develop because of heredity or some specific injury to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This injury can be caused by non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), antibiotics, chemicals in food or water, steroids like the birth control pill, and other drugs.
Another possible direct cause of hives is parasitic infection. Yet another possibility is candida (yeast) infection. In many cases of hives, low stomach acidity is present as well. If stomach acidity is adequate, parasites and fungi like candida cannot get past the acid barrier of the stomach and infestation cannot take place.
If the cause of the hives is unknown, it is harmless to try some natural remedies that reduce inflammation without the deleterious side effects of antihistamines. This can be done while one is being investigated for food and chemical allergies or various infections by a health care practitioner. For most adults this means taking the following nutritional supplements on at least a temporary basis:
• Vitamin C: 1000 mg three times daily and increased daily by 1000 mg until bowel tolerance (loose bowel movements) is reached.
• Quercetin: 1000 mg three times daily. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the mast cell membrane, where histamine is manufactured.
• Pycnogenol: 300 mg daily until hives are gone, then 150 mg daily thereafter.
Low stomach acidity prevents a person from completely digesting foods, especially the high protein foods. As a result, partially digested foods can get absorbed into the blood, eliciting an allergic/inflammatory reaction. In essence, the food that is partially digested behaves as if it were an allergen that needs to be attacked by the immune system. Even so-called “healthy” foods can turn into allergies when hydrochloric acid is inadequate. Rashes like acne and hives can result.
Once the cause of hives has been established, treatment can be directed at the source of the problem. A health care practitioner should be consulted for testing and treatment tailored to individual needs.
Dr. Zoltan Rona
Green Eggs and Ham
Filed Under Dinner with The Lunch Belle | Leave a Comment
Quietly tucked away on picturesque tree-lined East 39th Street is Icon, the haute New American restaurant located within the W New York — The Court Hotel. Step inside to a dim oasis of grand space, chic design, and modern flare. Pending lovely weather, make sure to grab an after-meal cocktail on Icon’s gorgeous Miami-esque back terrace.
These days, more and more restaurants are jumping on the “green” bandwagon for the sake of a healthier life for ourselves and future generations. Recently, Icon began serving a “Green Brunch” on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Intrigued, I knew that I had to run, not walk, to the restaurant and check it out for myself. I invited my darling friend, Teddi, to join me and see what all the fuss was about.
We arrived at Icon promptly at 11 a.m. and were seated immediately. Teddi and I were handed both regular brunch/lunch menus and the special “Green Brunch” menus. Knowing exactly what we were going to do, we pushed the regular menus aside, and began perusing the “green” dishes. For $35 prix-fixe, you get your choice of: appetizer, entree, dessert, and homemade organic and natural flavored soda or flavored bottled water.
It was a tough decision, but I chose to start with the Heirloom Tomato Tart (extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, fleur de sel, petit greens, and nicoise olive puree). Then for my entree, I went with the Baked Spanish Eggs (chorizo, purple Peruvian potatoes, manchego, and lime). And for dessert, I chose the Icon Chipwich (chocolate chip ice cream and cookies with chocolate sauce).
There were numerous flavors of sodas and waters, but what caught my eye was the vanilla-pineapple and the natural blackberry. Being the obnoxious diner that I am, I asked if the two flavors could be combined, and our lovely waiter gladly told me that my request would not be a problem.
Icon’s “Green Brunch” is a wonderful and naturally delicious way to soothe your weekend craving for a meal that goes beyond eggs and pancakes. You can’t beat the service, atmosphere, and price—for the quality and amount of food that you get.
Naturally,
The Lunch Belle
Breath-Counting Meditation
Filed Under Meditation | Leave a Comment
“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.”
— Shunryu Suzuki, “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind”“The very essence of meditation is one-pointedness and the exclusion of all other considerations, even when these considerations happen to be enticing.”
— Meher Baba, “Discourses”
Developing concentration is fundamental to meditation. Persistently practicing a concentration technique over a period of time is traditionally the way to develop meditative concentration. A simple yet effective tool for deepening concentration is the meditation technique of counting the breath.
Breath-counting gives the mind something to focus on so that when distracting thoughts arise, you have a base thought to come back to. The method is easy to understand. Perhaps not so easy to do. The goal is to do this one thing with full mindfulness. Success comes from patient repetition.
Breath-counting is so simple that after you get comfortable with it, it can be done just about any place and any time when you don’t have to be concentrating on something else—on a bus or waiting in line, for instance. It is a great way to center yourself and return to a state of mindfulness.
You may find that this meditation form helps you to manage your stress. It allows you to let go of the negative thoughts and worries that create tension. It also induces the relaxation response, which has many physical and psychological benefits.
Practice:
We suggest that you practice this technique once or twice daily for 15 to 20 minutes. Use shorter periods if you must. The key is to do it, and do it regularly, rather than to follow some arbitrary schedule.
Begin by finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Dim the lights if possible. You may wish to have your eyes closed or partially closed and cast downward. Sit in a comfortable posture that will allow you to remain still for about 20 minutes. Since our intent here is not to go to sleep, we suggest sitting upright. (Hint to insomniacs: counting breaths is not unlike counting sheep. It can put you to sleep).
Bring your attention to your breath. Counting up to four, count each out breath. After the fourth exhalation begin again at one. Inhaling…exhaling “1″, inhaling…exhaling “2″, inhaling…exhaling “3,” inhaling…exhaling “4,” inhaling…exhaling “1″…
Try to keep the count, but if you lose track, start over at “1.” Give your full attention to the count. If you have stray thoughts, just let them go and return to the counting. Don’t intentionally alter your breathing pattern. Let your breath find its own pace and depth like a stream finds its course.
Once you have become comfortable with counting to four, you may want to experiment with counting your breaths up to ten. The number you use isn’t so important. The clarity of your concentration is what is important.
Tom Barrett
Living in the Present
Filed Under Law of Attraction | Leave a Comment
I went on a motorcycle trip over the weekend. I know, I know—you don’t hear me talking about my Harley much, but I decided to bring “Max” into the picture today (Max is my Harley). Last week I was working on a project (the operative word is WORKING). I was quite drawn to staying home instead of taking our three-day trip. But then a little voice said to me, “When you are in joy, all of the answers come effortlessly.” So I went, and here’s what happened…
I should know better than to even consider working instead of playing. I had been looking for a new detail-oriented assistant for the last month. I had also been looking for some miracles around a movie project that we are doing, one that is not yet bringing in money.
While I was away on the motorcycle trip, I was enjoying myself, and I let my projects go from my mind. What happened? First thing Monday morning I found a perfect assistant, and half an hour later, another perfect applicant called. Then later, I was on the line with two possible organizations for full funding for our movie project. Awesome reminders that life was meant to be fun.
All your answers lie in the present moment. How will you know if you’re not living in the present? Well, life will be hard, silly.
The Harley Meditation: Being in the present simply means fully enjoying where you are. It means remembering that the past and future matter not. Riding with 35 other screaming bikes puts me right in the present. But then so do forests, my dog, and a kiss from my hubby. Today, I thank my hubby for reminding me that there is no way to happiness—happiness is the way.
What do you need to give up WORKING at?
Funny how you can surrender and get all your answers—or work hard and get very few.
Jennifer Hough
Embracing Fat During Pregnancy and Beyond: Essential Fatty Acids
Filed Under Fitmom Wellness | Leave a Comment
Fatty acids are simply components of fats. There are three essential fatty acids (EFAs). Essential means your body needs these for proper function. The two below need to be included in your diet because your body cannot manufacture them.
• The first is alpha-linolenic acid (LNA or ALA), from the omega-3 family of fatty acids.
· Found in flax (abundantly), and in small quantities in walnuts, cold pressed canola oil, wheat germ (the part taken out when making white flour), and dark green leafy vegetables (in tiny amounts)
• Linoleic acid (LA) is the other essential fatty acid, belonging to the omega-6 family of fatty acids.
· Found abundantly in soy oil, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, tahini, corn oil, and in most nuts.
There exist also other (non-essential) fatty acids, which your body can manufacture from the two essential ones.
• Non-essential omega-3 fatty acids include DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which the body makes from ALA (the omega-3 essential fatty acid). You may have heard about fish oil and omega-3 fats. Oily cold-water fish and algae contains good amounts of DHA and EPA. Infants and children need DHA for proper brain growth from their diet (and breast milk can have a lot of it!), so in that sense we could classify DHA as an essential fat for children.
• Non-essential omega-6 fatty acids include AA (arachidonic acid) and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which your body makes from LA (the omega-6 essential fatty acid).
Does a woman need more EFAs during pregnancy/breastfeeding?
Yes. The brain is over 60% fat and very rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 EFA derivatives, so the baby needs EFAs for brain development and brain function. These are drawn from the mother’s body during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
So during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the mother gets depleted of essential fatty acids, especially the omega-3 fatty acids. Each child gets less EFAs than the previous child, depleting the mother even further, UNLESS the mother augments her diet with EFAs like flax oil, oily fish, or DHA/EPA from algae (a good vegan source).
This depletion of the mother’s EFA stores for baby’s brain building can explain why younger children have more developmental and behavioral problems than older children, especially if the children are born close together. It also can explain why women experience far more depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, and more inflammatory, autoimmune, and collagen diseases than men.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Sources
Dr. David William’s Alternatives Newsletter September 1999 issue
Udo Erasmus: Fats that Heal Fats that Kill
FAQ of Essential fats, oil processing, good fats, trans fats, etc. from Udoerasmus.com
Humans Turn omega-3 fatty acid ALA to omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA (Fish Oil) by Udo Erasmus
The Human Brain — Essential fatty acids
Fats for Health.com — Your source for Essential Fatty Acid Information and News
Making a Connection
Filed Under Natural Goddess | Leave a Comment
The other day a friend told me a story that blew my socks off! She was going through the check-out counter and the cashier remarked my friend must be eating “the new way.”
My friend is vegan and tends to purchase very few pre-packaged foods. That day she was buying fruits, vegetables, rice, and various other non-packaged items. When my friend asked the cashier what she meant, the cashier replied that she had only ever eaten food out of a box before. Wow, I though to myself, I can’t imagine having never eaten real food before!
So as I have gone about my normal everyday routines the past couple of weeks since hearing this story, I have noticed that much of what we do every day creates a disconnection with other people, the Earth, and our own selves. Many of us drive our cars everywhere, exercise too little, eat too little real food, and don’t make enough time to talk to each other.
Try making eye contact with a total strange some day and saying “Hi” as you pass them on the street. See what happens.
I think it is time we all brought more of a connection back into our lives and slowed everything down. So as an experiment, see how it feels to walk barefoot on real earth or grass.
Cook a whole meal from scratch using real ingredients like fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Let down your guard long enough to say a few words to the cashier at your grocery store or coffee shop.
Take time to really listen to your friend or spouse when they are telling you about their day.
Set aside one day where you don’t use the TV or computer—read a book, go outside for a walk, or play a board game instead!
Do a few minutes of yoga, Thai Chi or meditation.
If we really want to make this world a better place, it will start with our own individual actions because we are all responsible for how we treat ourselves, each other, and the Earth. So, take time to find a connection. You might be surprised how good it feels to slow down and really live!
Jane Large
Full Body Scan
Filed Under Breast Health | 2 Comments
I’ve discussed the benefits of thermography for breast health in previous blogs:
• 10 Ways to Help Prevent Breast Cancer
• Thermography, Mammography or Ultrasound?
• Is Breast Thermography Safe?
• What Is Breast Thermography?
But thermography is not just for breast health. Thermography is a safe, non-invasive screening tool helpful in the diagnosis of the following:
• Arthritis
• Breast health evaluation
• Carpel tunnel syndrome
• Chronic low back pain
• Chronic nerve injury
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache/sinus pain
• Neck and back problems
• Pain evaluation: referred pain and visualization of pain
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Soft tissue injuries/sports injuries
• Stroke risk assessment
• Musculo-skeletal syndromes
• Whiplash
For more details about thermography, see the other blogs listed above.
Dr. Alex Mostovoy
Breastfeeding Challenges
Filed Under Mom Talk | Leave a Comment
Breastfeeding is of great benefit to both babies and mothers. It provides essential nutrients not available in any other form and gives the mother a balance of hormones that ensures resistance to disease after childbirth. However, for many women, breastfeeding is a significant challenge. Here are some of the problems that may arise and some basic solutions to help alleviate them.
Symptoms of Challenges
• Swelling, tenderness, nipple cracking, soreness, insufficient milk
• Blocked milk ducts form tender lumps that have a red line from the swollen area
• Excess milk leads to engorged breasts that are hard and painful
• A child may have a hard time suckling from swollen nipples
Dealing with Causes
• Problems can intensify from not breastfeeding.
• Pain and inflammation should not stop regular breastfeeding since the flow of milk is necessary for healing.
• Most problems are common in times of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
• Fluctuation in milk supply is normal—but there may be a problem if it continues for more than a few days.
• Too much milk leads to engorgement.
• Too little milk can result from a mother’s inactive thyroid or low intake of fluids and healthy foods.
Nutrition for Nursing
• Quality of breast milk depends on the quality of the mother’s diet.
• Avoid white sugar and white flour products.
• Eat fresh, mostly raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
• Use unrefined, cold-pressed nut oils such as flax seed or pumpkin seed daily.
• If there’s not enough calcium in the diet, it is leached from the bones to help with milk production. Vegetables can be a better source than milk as they contain magnesium, essential for calcium absorption. Good sources are almonds, sesame seeds, carrots, endives, watercress, brussels spouts, and turnip leaves.
• Certain foods in the mother’s diet can cause colic in the baby (e.g., onions, garlic, and cabbage).
• Dieting and fasting during breastfeeding can release poisons and secrete them into the milk.
• If mother’s milk supply is low, increase fluid intake and eat nutritional yeast.
• If breasts are engorged, give baby smaller, more frequent meals.
Nutritional Supplements
• Evening primrose oil contains GLA, a hormone substance that boosts the immune system.
o Take two 500 mg capsules three times a day
• Green food supplements contain many nutrients—especially minerals and chlorophyll. Kelp supplies potassium and iodine for a healthy thyroid. Alfalfa is high in vitamin A. Brewers yeast provides vitamin B and helps increase milk supply.
o 1 Tbsp per day
• Brewers yeast, 3 tsp three times a day
• Vitamin B complex, 100 mg
Herbal Remedies
• To disinfect nipples after breastfeeding, cleanse thoroughly with a cotton cloth moistened with marigold infusion—acts as an antiseptic.
• Rub dry nipples with a drop of St. John’s Wort oil or tea tree oil diluted in 1 Tbsp olive oil or sweet almond oil.
• Drink stinging nettle tea to help regulate milk flow.
• To reduce milk flow, rub the breasts with lovage tincture and drink lovage tea.
• If weaning, drink sage tea or sage juice to reduce milk.
• Kelp, dandelion, and alfalfa juices benefit the glands and promote healthy breasts. Take 1 Tbsp three times a day.
• To increase milk production, use fennel, blessed thistle, alphalfa or red raspberry leaves to make a herbal tea. Drink 1–3 cups daily. Capsule supplements are also available.
• Stress can suppress the mother’s milk. Try massage or a bath with 5 drops lemon balm oil.
External/Physical Therapies
• For sore, dry nipples. try changing nursing positions.
• If you need to relieve cracked nipples, try Lanisoh or Dr. Jack Newman’s nipple cream recipe (which your doctor can prescribe for you).
• To relieve swelling, hard and painful breasts, try short and frequent feedings.
• A plugged duck will usually clear itself within 24 hours. To prevent, make sure the milk ducts are emptied after feeding.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, by Siegfried Gursche MH & Zoltan Rona, M.D.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
