Detoxification

One of the greatest threats to our well-being and health is toxic overload from harmful substances in our environment. Many downplay the threat from chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and pollution, but more and more people are beginning to recognize the danger these things pose.

Your body will be able to eliminate these unwanted substances if you keep four systems functioning properly.

1. The urinary system -- Drink plenty of water
2. The gastrointestinal system -- Eat plenty of fiber to ensure regular bowel function
3. The respiratory system -- Exercise your respiratory system regularly with deep breathing
4. The skin -- Periodically increase your output of sweat through aerobic exercise or exposure to heat such as saunas or steam baths.

Try to minimize your exposure to toxic chemicals by:

* Using air and water filters in your home. I have a reverse osmosis water purifier in my kitchen, or you can use a pitcher with a filter in it. I also use a Holmes air purifier, a Sharper Image ultrasonic humidifier, and shower heads that filter out chlorine and other chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.

* Buy organic produce whenever you can, or even better, grow your own! Local farmers markets and other fruit and vegetable stores are a good place to start.

* Avoid processed foods that contain chemical dyes (label will say "certified color", "artificial color", or a specific name like "red no. 3) and artificial sweeteners (saccharin, aspartame).

* Try to only take pain relievers and other otc drugs when you absolutely have to. Instead of popping a couple of tylenol when you have a headache, try lying down and relaxing in a cool, dark room. Your liver has to process any chemicals you put into your body, and it can get overburdened.

* Use cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners and lotions that do not contain chemical dyes. Look for brands that are colorless, white, or are tinted using vegetable extracts.

* Clean your home using natural cleaning products, or good old hot water. I have a steam mop that I use to clean my hard floors, and it only uses water, no chemicals. You can clean mirrors and sinks with a spray bottle filled with water and a little vinegar added and wipe with a microfiber rag or sponge.

* I am still struggling with this one, but use propellant-free room freshening sprays. I recently found one at Target by Air Wick called Aqua Mist. It comes in liquid form in a spray bottle instead of a can.

* Take protective antioxidants to help your body block the chemical reactions by which many toxins cause harm. Vitamins C and E are good supplements, as well as selenium and beta carotene.

Affirmations

A wise friend told me that I should write down some affirmations. Affirmations are statements that you repeat aloud every day. They are statements of how you want your life to be. You say them as if they were already true, believing that they eventually will be true. Even if you don't believe it 100%, they can still work if you faithfully say them daily. I have been doing this for a few months now, and I have seen changes starting to happen in my life. The changes are subtle and small, but I am starting to see the changes that I am trying to make manifest themselves. Here are a few of mine:

* I sleep well and get all the rest I need.
* My body is healthy and strong, and I am growing stronger every day.
* I have a calming influence on myself and those around me.
* I am organized and have plenty of time to do all that I need to do.
* I am always on time.
* I take extremely good care of myself and my family.
* I totally and completely love myself as I am right now.
* I trust in the Lord and rely on His strength rather than my own.

I plan to add some more affirmations to my list now that I have seen how powerful they can truly be in my life. I think they work because it helps to keep my goals firmly in my mind, and also because I think whatever you put out into the universe comes back to you. If you put positive energy out, it will return to you.

Meditation and Relaxation

Much of illness comes from unbalanced functioning of the autonomic nervous system. When the tone of this system is not right, it can produce irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stomach and intestinal disorders, and many more problems. Our conscious minds have no direct access to this system, since it is operated independently of our minds. It is automatic.

We can, however, access this system through our breath. Breathing has direct connections to our emotional states and our moods. If you see someone who is angry or upset, you will see that they breath rapidly, shallowly, noisily and irregularly. But you cannot be upset if your breathing is slow, deep, quiet and regular. You cannot always center yourself emotionally by an act of will, but you can use your voluntary nerves to make your breathing slower, deeper, quieter and more regular, and the rest will follow.

Try doing this simple exercise whenever you can. Close your eyes and take a deep, audible breath. Keep your back straight and continue taking a deep breath, then letting it out. As you take the breaths, see how deep and quiet and regular you can make your breathing without feeling a sensation of not getting enough air, just let it feel perfectly comfortable. Do this for at least 8 breaths and then open your eyes and breathe normally.

By putting your attention on your breath, you change your state of consciousness, you begin to relax, and you detach yourself from ordinary awareness. Researchers have documented many cases of benefits of meditation: Lowered blood pressure, decreased heart and respiratory rates, increased blood flow, and greater relaxation response. Meditation can calm an agitated mind, create healthier minds and bodies, and put us in touch with our higher selves.

Nasal Cleansing

Nasal cleansing has been a lifesaver for me these past few weeks. I have had a bad cold and sinus infection, and rather than go to a doctor and demand to be put on antibiotics (which is what I used to do) I decided to try and treat my symptoms at home. The result was my infection lasted only a few days, and I was able to keep my sinuses mostly clear by cleansing 3 to 4 times a day.

I purchased a neti pot a few months ago and became convinced of its wondrous powers almost immediately! It is like a shower for your sinus passages! I do not like water up my nose, so at first, I was very skeptical. I was really nervous to try it, but I saw a lady do it on live TV, and I thought, "If she can do it on TV, I can certainly do it in the privacy of my own home." Once you get past the fear, you figure out how it works and it is a very enjoyable experience.

Nasal cleansing, nasal irrigation, or nasal douching, has been practiced in India for thousands of years. It is a hygenic yoga practice, but has also proved to be helpful in promoting drainage of the sinuses and speeding healing of inflamed tissues. It relieves congestion from colds and flu as well as allergies. I have found it to be a great alternative to decongestants, which make me jittery and unable to sleep when I take them. I don't like the way I feel when I am on those drugs, and so I prefer to treat my symptoms the natural way.

I have also found out the hard way that those over the counter nose sprays are the devil! Once you use them, you become addicted to them and are unable to breathe through your nose unless you are spraying the stuff up your nostrils every 4 hours. Nasal cleansing is a much better way to go!!

Neti pots are available at any drugstore, or major stores like Walmart and Target carry them. I like the little saline packets that come with the pot, because then you know you are getting the exact right mix of water and salt solution. I also like the Neil Med Sinus Rinse, which gives you slightly more pressure during your cleanse. It uses a squeeze bottle instead of using the flow of gravity. You might want to work your way up to that, however. The instructions on how to use the pot or rinse kit come with them, so I won't go into details on how to do it.

Nasal cleansing can help you breath easier and more freely, and I think you will find it to be a soothing and helpful remedy for sinus problems.

Garlic Anyone?

Garlic is a powerful natural medicine. It has abilities to lower cholesterol and reduce the clotting tendency of the blood. It can also help lower high blood pressure. Raw garlic is a potent antibiotic. It is especially good at fighting fungal infections, but also helps rid the body of viral and bacterial infections as well. A good home remedy for colds is to eat several raw cloves of garlic at the first onset of symptoms.

(If you can't make yourself eat raw garlic, you can cut it into small chunks and swallow them like pills, or chop it finely and cook with it.)

Garlic can also treat ear infections and earaches. Make garlic oil by crushing a few cloves of garlic into some olive oil. Let it sit a few days at room temperature, then strain it. Keep the oil in a container in the refrigerator and warm a bit for use when needed. For earaches and infections, put a few drops of warm garlic oil in the ear and plug with a cotton ball.

If you suffer from chronic or recurrent infections, frequent yeast infections or low resistence to infections, eat one or two cloves of garlic a day. (Remember, a clove is one of the small segments that make up the head or bulb, not the whole head.)

*Information taken from "Natural Health, Natural Medicine" by Dr. Andrew Weil, MD

Emotional Health

Emotional health is a big, BIG part of being physically healthy. Read that last sentence again. If you are not emotionally healthy, you will not feel good physically. I recently read an interesting article by Dr. Ted Koren, DC. Here are some thoughts from the article.

Emotional health is dependent on being connected to yourself and to others. The more connected you are to yourself, the more you can connect with others and the more fulfilling your connections (relationships) will be. The more good relationships you have in your life, the more happiness, joy, hope, optimism and vitality you will have. You will feel and be healthier, live longer, and you will recover more quickly from physical and emotional traumas.

Are you emotionally disconnected? Do you hold pockets of unresolved anger, fear, resentment, pain or other emotions locked up in your body and mind? Whatever the cause of those bottled up emotions, whether it is abuse, conflict with others, etc., these trapped emotions keep us from living fully in the present because some of our energy is still living in the past.

Past traumas and fears can manifest as physical ailments and emotional stress. They disconnect us from our deeper selves. When we are out of touch with our emotional wellness, our intuition is clouded, our life's purpose is confused, and we have difficulty forming healthy relationships. All of this can lead to disease.

Just as toxins can build up in our bodies from our physical environment, so toxic emotions can build up inside of us and make us just as sick, if not more sick. Make it a goal to rid your body and mind of toxic emotions, feelings and beliefs. A good book to read on this subject is: FREE TO LOVE, FREE TO HEAL by David Simon, MD. You can heal your body by healing your emotions.

Health Benefits of Bananas

ENERGY: Bananas contain 3 natural sugars combined with fiber, giving you an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. This may be why bananas are the number one fruit among athletes.

DEPRESSION: Bananas contain tryptophan, a protein your body converts into serotonin, known to make you feel relaxed and happier. If you are feeling down, try eating a banana.

PMS: Bananas contain vitamin B6, which helps regulate blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA: Bananas are high in iron, and can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

BLOOD PRESSURE: Bananas are extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect for reducing high blood pressure and risk of strokes.

BRAIN POWER: Research has shown that students who eat a banana before a test performed better and remained more alert.

HEARTBURN: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, making it a great cure for heartburn.

MORNING SICKNESS: Bananas keep blood sugar levels up in between meals, helping avoid queasiness.

MOSQUITO BITES: Rub the inside of a banana peel on insect bites to soothe irritation and reduce swelling.

STRESS: Potassium in bananas can help normalize heartbeat, send oxygen to the brain and regulate the body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

ULCERS: Because of it's soft texture and smoothness, the banana is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without irritating chronic ulcers. It also neutralizes acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

WARTS: Some people say that if you place a piece of banana skin on a wart and hold it in place with surgical tape the wart will go away!

Bananas have four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals than an apple.

I think I'm going to start eating more bananas!!