Trust Yourself and EAT.

During and after going through a long illness in my twenties I read everything I could get my hands on that pertained to health, complementary therapies and nutrition.  I myself was a Vegetarian, followed a Rotation Diet, a Candida Diet, a Gluten Free Diet, a, well and some other variation of such.

Everywhere you go and turn you hear about some diet or program that will change your life.  Some are fad diets, some are based on scientific inquiry, others are just, well you decide.

There’s Vegetarianism and Vegan, similar, but being a Vegan means no eggs or dairy either.
There’s the 4 or is it 5 food group standard diet, which really is quite good, except that many people assume all carbs are the same, and can substitute Twinkies for real grains, or processed oils for cold pressed oils.
There’s the Atkins Diet, which actually isn’t that crazy if you read the book, and look at the later stages.  I’ll agree the first stage is extreme.
Then there’s the Caveman Diet.  What can you say, bizarre, yet makes sense if we’re still genetically similar to our ancient ancestors.
Speaking of ancestors, then there’s the Blood Type Diet, which assumes we all came from a Blood Type of O, the caveman, but then due to migration, geography, agriculture, etc. changed the way we eat, and the type of food we eat.  It maintains that as we changed the food we ate over the years our bodies changed, making different blood types more suitable for different diets.
Rotation Diet, suggests you rotate your foods every four days, so that you don’t eat anything everyday.  Difficult in today’s world, but a good idea to some degree.  Many of us are sick from eating foods we’re sensitive to everyday, ie. dairy, corn, gluten, eggs are some of the big culprits.
Gluten Free Diet, simply means eliminating everything with gluten in it; wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt, kamut.  Daunting at first, but once you start it becomes easier.  This is necessary for those with certain digestive and allergy problems.
Raw Food Diet.  This one is kind of self explanatory, but extreme to say the least.  Raw foods are important, they carry enzymes and vitamins which can be lost in the cooking process, but...moderation.

So what is the point of all of this.  I’ve come to believe in moderation.  Nothing to the extreme, seems natural or good for me.  I’ve know people that went Vegetarian for ethical reasons only to have to add meat back into their diets some years later due to health reasons.  I’ve know people who thrive on a Vegan diet.  I’ve known people who swear by the Blood Type Diet.
Also I’ve come to believe in trusting myself, and am continuing to embrace this practice in all areas of my life.  When it comes to food it means trusting that my body, and it does, know’s what it needs...which is not what I may crave.  I eat meat, and feel that 2-3 times a week seems like a good place to be for me at this time.  That may change in the future.  I eat gluten grains now, though don’t eat wheat daily.  I eat dairy, but also not daily.  There was a time when I could eat neither, and when I had to eliminate all grains during pollen season due to allergies, and inflammation.  Yes grains, all grains can cause many people problems.

You are bombarded with information and advertising, and you are restricted by time.  It’s not easy, but more than ever it’s rewarding to slow down and listen to what your body truly needs.  Trust yourself.

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Part II

Most people when they think of PTSD think of Veterans.  The fact is there is a wide range of people suffering from PTSD, and just as wide a range of degree of symptoms.

I suffered from PTSD due to a chronic illness I had in my twenties  I was ill for almost 8 years and came close to dying during the process.  Because I was chronically ill I developed a host of symptoms and problems.

My PTSD symptoms couldn't be categorized as debilitating.  I didn't wake up in cold sweats every night, nor did I hide under my bed during the day.  I did, however, have nightmares occasionally.  I also suffered from anxiety bordering on paranoia, and constantly felt defensive and scared.  I held beliefs such as, "I can't trust myself/others", "The world is not a safe place", and "I'm not safe".  All of this was enough to affect the quality of my life, my relationship with myself, and my relationships with others..

I took care of my physically needs first, which makes sense since my life revolved around getting well and learning about various health practices.  "Getting well" came in stages, however, like peeling an onion.  As my physical health began to improve and my body started to waken, my emotions began to come out; old unresolved issues/thoughts and beliefs began to surface.  Healing was happening.  During my illness I prayed / set the intent that I not only wanted to heal physically but on every level, though I didn't really know what that meant at the time.

This is my journey so it's not going to be the same for everyone.  I approached this process much the same way as I did my illness, with determination, bordering on obsessive-compulsive tendencies.  I continued, and continue to do things to take care of my physical needs, knowing my body, mind, and emotions are all intricately intertwined.

I eat well.  The food we eat becomes the building blocks that create our bodies and all their functions; neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes, besides the more obvious ones.  So yes, the food we eat effects our entire person.

I find time every day to stretch / practice Yoga.  Stretching and Yoga when done mindfully help us to be more present / in the moment.  They help us release stress, increase our flexibility and oxygen intake into our muscles and organs, and increase our energy to name a few benefits.

I go to a Chiropractor every few weeks, though I don't have back problems.  Chiropractic helps the whole body.  As nerves running from the spine effect every organ and system in the body, maintaining good back health effects our overall health.  (though let me say I go to a gentle Chiropractor)

I take breaks throughout the day to take time for myself, to relax, to practice mindfulness, which as I've said helps me be more present.  This among other things has helped me to make friends with my emotions, and also challenge my thoughts and beliefs when they no longer serve me.  (I will be creating a Post called Mindfulness in the near future)

I learned these approaches during the time of my illness and healing.  There are other approaches I used in the past as well, to help me get to this place of healing.  I have been to Counseling, which not only helped me to process with someone in a safe space, but also helped me to become more comfortable with myself.  I have also utilized the services of a Hypnotherapist, an Acupuncturist, and Massage Therapists.  All of these experiences have become part of my journey and life, a tapestry if you will that continues to evolve.

What I have found is that no two people will follow the same path, though there are basic tools that I think make up the foundation for creating a healthy being.  The tools I have discussed in my own practice will be beneficial to anyone willing to spend the time on themselves.  After that, it becomes a personal experience, and each person will have to find what works / fits for them.

Your Food is Your Medicine

What if you believed the above statement?

Would that change the way you look at food?

Would it change the choices you make when going to eat or shopping for food?

What does that statement really mean?

What does food do?

What is the definition of medicine?

Food does many things.  On a very simple level it provides our bodies with the fuel to function.  Fuel in this case being the Carbs, but also the Fats and Proteins.  Each serves a different purpose, however, each is essential for suvival.

As an example we receive proteins from various sources; grains, beans, nuts, seeds, meat, and dairy.  Some are complete proteins, some incomplete, meaning our bodies have to build them together to make a complete protein.  These then are used in many functions in the body.

Besides the main nutrients or building blocks, there are also a multitude of micronutrients our bodies need for optimal health; including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, etc.

What if I told you that many of us are not only lacking in the essential nutrients our bodies require, but also the the micronutrients they need? 

What if I told you that many people are actually starving, and yet they not only look well fed, but even over fed.  

Your body can't tell you what it needs, it can only let you know that it's hungry.