Having a rough day?......

 

Get outside!!  Fresh air and a different perspective can turn things around for all of us!!

Let there be no excuses that you can't get outside, if even just in your backyard if that is all you can handle today. Cold weather?  Bundle up!  Rain? Get that umbrella out!

Try one of these:

1. Catch up with a friend.  Call them and see if they can come over for an hour and sit in your yard with you and chat. Or maybe they are up for a visit from you.

2. Go for a walk....on your own, with a friend, with your dog, etc.  Notice new things in your neighborhood. Say hello to everyone you pass by.

3. Sit outside and listen to what is in the air.  This sounds so cliché, but please really listen. What stands out to you?  What makes you smile when you hear it?  What makes you breathe a little easier?

4. Where can you find a place to put your worries?  (they truly aren't helping you, so why not give them away?)  Why not write them out on paper and "plant" the paper in your garden.  Visualize those worries growing into something beautiful and healthy.  What about saying those worries out loud and letting the wind or the birds nearby carry them away?  Let them go!  If even for just today. (tomorrow you can give them away again :-)

5. Talk to a neighbor you haven't spoken with in awhile (or ever).  Share something positive about yourself and see what they have to share also.

6. Volunteer to help someone if you can.  Does an older neighbor need something from the store? Could you help them with something or bring some flowers from your yard to them to brighten their day as well?  Giving is always a positive way to boost our own spirits.

7.  Read a book that makes you laugh and brings you joy.

7.  Connect with God.  Be united with the Spirit that guides you and with every aspect know that you are limitless in power and peace.

Smile and Breathe!

Colleen :-)

Happiness....

Read all you can get your hands on by Dr. Wayne Dyer.  His books are inspirational and full of love!

Wishing you smiles and joy throughout the weekend!

Colleen :-)

Sharing information...

 

www.thetruthaboutcancer.com

Although I have absolutely no affiliation with this organization, I highly recommend taking the time to visit The Truth About Cancer website. I have personally seen remarkable improvements by following the pertinent information they share.

Remember, like anything else you read, everything needs to be researched, discussed and the final decisions in your health treatments and care are totally yours.  But the more we can educate ourselves, the healthier we may be.

This is your most important time to be involved~

So don't wait! See what they have to share!

The Truth About Cancer first ever conference is in Texas in October (seats are sold out, but you can get on a waiting list).  Join their mailing list and be informed throughout the week of new studies, advance treatments, etc.  A new book with the same title of the organization is coming out in October chock full of information for everyone.

Please take the time to visit them at:  www.thetruthaboutcancer.com

Wishing you further health and full healing with each new day,

Colleen :-)

Jumping for Joy.....and Healing

Using a trampoline is actually extremely good for you in getting your lymph nodes to work in detoxing your body and is a healthy exercise for everyone!

I have been using a mini trampoline (sometimes also called a rebounder/rebounding) for a year now almost every day and have worked up to one hour a day. You can use it while listening to the radio, music, watching TV or whatever may motivate you the most to keep jumping.  The mini trampolines usually fold up and can be carried easily.  There are also trampolines with handles to keep your balance if you feel more comfortable using that kind.

To understand how important this exercise can be to those with a chronic illness, I am sharing information from the Well Being Journal (www.wellbeingjournal.com) Please take the time to read this entire piece to learn how our lymph nodes play such a big role in everyone's health.


REBOUNDING: Good for the Lymph System

By Dave Scrivens, Certified Lymphologist, Well Being Journal, Vol. 17, No. 3. 

 

The body has a built-in need for activation. The lymph system, for example, bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cell and waste products away. Yet the lymph is totally dependent on physical exercise to move.

Without adequate movement, the cells are left stewing in their own waste products and starving for nutrients, a situation that contributes to arthritis, cancer and other degenerative diseases. Vigorous exercise such as rebounding [jumping on a therapeutic mini-trampoline] is reported to increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times. Also, bones become stronger with exercise.
Vertical motion workouts such as rebounding are much different and much more beneficial and efficient than horizontal motion workouts, such as jogging or running.
The lymph fluid moves through channels called “vessels” that are filled with one-way valves, so it always moves in the same direction. The main lymph vessels run up the legs, up the arms and up the torso. This is why the vertical up-and-down movement of rebounding is so effective to pump the lymph.

Rebounding For Detoxification And Immune System Benefits

The rebounding motion stimulates all internal organs, moves the cerebral-spinal fluid and the aqueous fluid within the eyes (many people claim improved eyesight), and does wonders for the intestines. Many immune cells such as T-lymphocytes and macrophages are self-propelled by amoebic action. These cells contain molecules identical to those in muscle tissue. All cells in the body become stronger in response to the increased G-force during rebounding, and this cellular exercise results in the self-propelled immune cells being up to five times more active. The job description of these cells includes eating viruses, bacteria and even cancer cells, so it is good that they be active. This exercise directly strengthens the immune system.
Rebounding is an exercise that reduces your body fat; firms your legs, thighs, abdomen, arms, and hips; increases your agility; and improves your sense of balance. Rebounding strengthens your muscles overall, provides an aerobic effect for your heart, rejuvenates your body when it’s tired, and generally puts you in a state of health and fitness.
Jumping on a rebounder is remarkably gentle on the joints. There’s no solid ground to suddenly stop the bouncing of your feet. Your movements are perfectly safe, and they make the effect of gravity beneficial.

Some benefits of rebounding include:
• 20 minutes of rebounding = 1 hour of running for cardiovascular workout
• Easy on the bones and joints (when using a therapeutic rebounder)
• Rebounding strengthens the heart muscle
• Profound body detoxification is possible
By working against constant gravitational pressure while bouncing, you resist Earth’s pull. Your resistance is subtle, but it builds cellular strength. Rebounding’s alternating weightlessness and double gravity produce a pumping action that pulls out waste products from the cells and forces into them oxygen and nutrition from the bloodstream.

The Detoxification Effect of Rebounding

The lymphatic system is the metabolic garbage can of the body. It rids you of toxins such as dead and cancerous cells, nitrogenous wastes, infectious viruses, heavy metals, and other assorted junk cast off by the cells. The movement performed in rebounding provides the stimulus for a free-flowing system that drains away these potential poisons.
Unlike the arterial system, the lymphatic system does not have its own pump. It has no heart muscle to move the fluid around through its lymph vessels. There are just three ways to activate the flow of lymph away from the tissues it serves and back into the main pulmonary circulation. Lymphatic flow requires muscular contraction from exercise and movement, gravitational pressure, and internal massage to the valves of lymph ducts. Rebounding supplies all three methods of removing waste products from the cells and from the body.

 

Happy and healthy jumping to you!!

 

Colleen :-)

 

 

 

 

 

May courage fill your days...and hope, joy and love always be in your heart!

 

Wishing you the best,

Colleen :-)

Eating Well...Living Well...Healing  (Part 2)

"A Shady Vegan"

That's what I have recently been nicknamed as I am a Vegan, except I do eat fish :-)

In addition, there are things that Vegans eat that I do not, including wheat, tofu (tofu is made from soy milk), sugar and other items to help in healing.

It doesn't take researching much these days to know that a plant based diet (and organic as much as possible) are the healthiest and cleanest ways towards healing possibilities.  But this can be very challenging, and nutrition is extremely important in making sure that you get all the vitamins, proteins, etc that your body needs. So you may want to consult with a nutritionist or your doctor.

Foods to consider eating:

-Vegan "dairy"                                                                               -Stay away from:
*choices include some delicious Vegan cheese,                              *Dairy (including eggs)
cream cheese (Kite Hill brand/Whole Foods is a favorite
of mine)

- Fish                                                                                                 *Meat-If you choose meats,
* Sardines and small fish are the healthiest to eat and                       try to stay with only chicken
very good for Omega 3's.  (larger fish tend to have mercury             and turkey, preferably          
 and other chemicals in them) No fish is labeled organic                   organic/no
                                                                                                             antibiotics                                  

-Grains, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Quinoa, Pastas                   *Avoid white rice, pasta and
                                                                                                            potatoes..may cause inflammation

-Oils                                                                                                  *Vegetable, Canola, etc are
* Stick with Olive Oil (use this only on low heat cooking)                not as healthy
Coconut Oil (good for higher heat cooking and even eating raw)
Avocado Oil is recommended by some

-Juicing
*Stores now carry organic veggies for juicing and are quite
inexpensive for large containers.  Use coconut or almond milk
and add other ingredients to suit your personal tastes. Drink
daily.


There are plenty of options and recipes, cookbooks, health stores, restaurants to research and explore delicious and nutritious meals. 

Happy and Healthy eating to you!

Colleen :-)

Remembering today that we are all one...

With peace and love,

Colleen

Drinking Right...Living Well...Healing (Part 2)

As a short follow up to yesterday's posts on healthy drinks (my next post will be on juicing and a few other healthy eating tips), I did want to mention alcohol.

Over the last few years, many have shared with me that they have heard how red wine helps cancer.
The resveratrol in red grapes/red wine has shown to be a possible antioxidant and now even comes in pill form.

However, red wine is another product that those with current cancer need to reconsider as red wine is 1) very high in sugar content (remember sugar causes inflammation in cells for those dealing with chronic illnesses, etc) 2) red wine is recommended for people who are healthy, or those in remission.  If you are interested in taking resveratrol and are someone dealing with cancer at this time, it has been suggested that resveratrol be taken in pill form to avoid the sugar in the red wine.

***Ounce for ounce, peanuts have about 25% as much resveratrol as red wine.  I snack daily on peanut butter***

Sending hope and joy on this beautiful day!

Colleen :-)

Drinking Right...Living Well...Healing

I have previously posted about sugars in the body, and so with anything that you may be drinking, it is very wise to check the labels to see how much sugar may be in any kind of drink you are purchasing or ordering.

You can research this further, but here is what I have learned is best to drink (and not to drink) in eating clean:

Drink:

1. Water, water, water!  For years we have heard this, but research shows that drinking lots of water may also help keep your acid level normal (Acidic environments cause inflammation in your cells and doesn't allow for healthy cells to grow).  Of course if you are on chemo treatments, the minimum liquids you should have (preferably water, but tea and broth are good also) is 64 ounces a day.  Use your refrigerator filtered water, a Brita filter, or other system because much of our tap water has higher acidic levels in them.  (you can test the ph level in your water to see how high the acid level is. Test strips are available online and also at Whole Foods and other specialty stores)


Also, I attended several workshops where the presenter/doctors had more concern for us drinking out of plastic bottles than anything else because of the chemicals in the plastic.  One presenter was so adamant about avoiding it with every chance you have that she preferred to have you be thirsty a little while longer than drink from a plastic bottle.  There are plenty of BPA free drinking vessels available now, so please use them instead of plastic bottles and the glass ones are even better.

**Please remember that coffee does not count and actually depletes your body of fluids.

2. Organic black and green teas (always go for organic as many teas are grown in other countries that have no restrictions with the pesticides they are allowed to use)

3. Milk substitutes:  As you have probably seen in your local supermarket, there are tons of milks to choose from nowadays!

Choose a substitute from milk (animal product) that includes Organic Coconut milk or Organic Almond milk

(**read even these labels....there are some brands that include Carrageenan in the ingredients.  Although it has not been labeled as a carcinogen, research has shown that Carrageenan causes intestinal damage in animals)  It is up to you, but soy is a well discussed issue in regards to people having any soy in their diet if they have cancer.  If you do have cancer, I would personally suggest not using Soy milk, especially with so many other options out there now.

4.  Organic Kombucha fermented tea:  Oh this is my favorite and I drink it every day! It may take adjusting to the taste...and some have compared it to having a taste between sparkling apple cider and champagne. (I think it is much more like apple cider and vinegar)  If you haven't heard, fermented drinks and food are the "in" thing for everyone and many, if not all, of the Kombuchas have probiotics in them as well.  There are a variety of flavors, but again, you will find that anything with fruit flavors are going to be higher in sugar.  So read the labels to see the sugar count.

To learn more about Kombucha and how to make your own, this is one website to take a look at:   http://whatiskombucha.com/   (**Kombucha contains yeast, so please be advised if you have any allergy to this ingredient)

Hope this is informative and gives you some options to try!

Drink up and cheers to hope and good health!

Colleen :-)

Let it all go....your healing is now and life holds nothing but this present time...

Eating Right....Living Well....Healing



This is a topic that often comes with controversy on what exactly is the best diet for those dealing with a chronic illness. I am not a nutritionist, but have personally seen the positive effects of eating a strict diet after a diagnosis of an illness. Even my doctors have asked me to list the things I am eating/doing so they could note their observations.

What surprised me after my diagnosis is that I was assigned a nutritionist through my health system.  But that wasn't what I questioned.  It was the fact that she took no more than three minutes of my time to ask if I was eating fruits and vegetables and gave me the "Oh good" thumbs up sign and left to go on to the next patient.  I sat there listening to the same question being asked of each of us in the room. But I couldn't help but wonder if eating fruit was actually a wise decision for people with a chronic illness.

I researched and learned on my own that for people with an autoimmune illness, cancer, diabetes, etc. fruits are not necessarily a "good" food to put on your list.  The reason being is that fruit contains natural sugar that can act in our bodies the same way refined sugar does.

The research shows that sugar is a catalyst to inflammation in the body and this in turn can basically feed sick cells, causing illness to possibly grow further. In other words, the body does not necessarily benefit from eating fruit IF a person is already dealing with an illness.

Imagine my surprise when one day a friend picked up a "SuperFoods" juice bottle in the market for me that had a photo of all kinds of greens on it...kale, celery, grapes and green apples.....and there were 53 grams of sugar in it!  We just assume that because it is called Superfood, it has to be good for us.  But not for ALL of us.

So as a new start today, if you aren't doing it already, read labels on everything you are eating.  And although it may be tough at first, purchase as many food products (no fruit please) that are organic and have no sugar/very little sugar added.

Yes, that does mean desserts too.  Okay, I know, not an easy task, but you will be amazed within a few weeks of doing this that your body no longer craves the sugar.  (and don't go for the sugarless products....the substitutes are not good for anyone)

This is the first of some of my posts on food and eating for healing.  One link that I would like to share with you is https://foodrevolution.org/  Their message is a strong one and I believe you will enjoy perusing the website to learn more.

Happy, healthy and clean eating to you and your families!

Colleen :-)