Archive | September, 2014

It Is Time For That Seasonal Treatment!

Of course having a massage session any time of year is always a treat.

Right now though is that time of year when it is a smart health plan to schedule a Lymphatic Massage.

Whether you live in the northern hemisphere where we are moving towards Winter or you live in the southern hemisphere where Spring is approaching, now is the time our bodies can use some extra support.

Just as we begin to change our wardrobe and begin to bring out more suitable clothing, our bodies are doing the same thing internally.

Our bodies are preparing for the change.  And though the changes seem opposite from Winter and Spring our bodies need the same kind of care to help us through the seasonal transition.

It is time to think about helping our bodies with these changes and an ideal time to include a supportive cleansing program.

We are beginning to make dietary adjustments and with that it is a good time to include liver and colon support.

There are many different programs available but here is one you might find that is just right to fit your needs.

It is by Integrative Therapeutics called the Whole Body Integrative Cleansing System*.

It is a two week program that is very thorough and easy to include as a part of our every day lives.

I also really like to use Super Thisilyn by Nature’s Way** and Super Cleanse by Nature’s Secret** as part of my own program.***

But perhaps one of the most helpful healing tools is to have a Lymphatic Massage.

Both Fall and Spring are ideal times for this seasonal treatment.

Think of it as an oil change for your body.  And we all know that getting timely oil changes is important car maintenance.

In fact when do most people bring their cars in for periodic maintenance but in the Fall and in the Spring!

You are helping the fluids in your body to get flowing and with it improve your body’s ability to make the seasonal change a smooth one.

It is a good idea to work on the various lymph nodes and help them unclog for the new season that is approaching as well as to support the various lymph organs.

Remember our Lymph System is what keeps us healthy.

And like any system, it needs periodic care and support.

You might be noticing as I have, that more people are getting flus and just not feeling well right now.

Energy levels are low and I hear more complaints from people of just not feeling right.

If you only have 2 sessions a year, make them in the Fall and in the Spring and your body will be so grateful.

And of course so will you by feeling at your optimum.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

*available from Amazon and from many health professionals
**available at many health food stores as well as online
***be sure to consult with your primary health care provider before doing any cleansing programs

Turmeric might be the most effective nutritional supplement we know of.

We all know Turmeric* for its rich yellow color and distinctive flavor.

It is what gives curry its yellow color.

It has been used for thousands of years in India as both a spice and a medicine.

Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

He very well had Turmeric in mind when he said this.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in Turmeric and is it’s main medicinal compound.

But in truth Turmeric only contains about 3% Curcumin.

Most of the recent studies into the health benefits of Curcumin are being done with the extract with doses exceeding 1 gram a day.

You can only imagine how much Turmeric we would have to consume to get this much Curcumin.

It has also been recently shown that Curcumin has a difficult time being absorbed into the bloodstream.

What has been showed to improve its absorption is to combine Turmeric with black pepper.

Black pepper contains piperine also called bioperine, which aids the absorption of Curcumin into the bloodstream by as much as 2000%.

You might find a product that has already combined Curcumin and black pepper or you can simply swallow a few peppercorns along with the capsule of Curcumin.

Because Curcumin is a fat-soluble compound it is best to take it with fatty foods such as avocadoes.

So What Is Curcumin Good For!

Curcumin is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and is found in many supplements that treat inflammations.

Curcumin increases our antioxidant capacities.

Curcumin boosts brain function and is being researched as to not only it’s ability to lower the risk of brain diseases but it’s ability to also heal and reverse damage that has been done.

Many brain disorders such as depression and Alzheimer’s has been linked to a decrease in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF.

Curcumin has been shown to increase BDNF levels in the brain, which increases the growth of new neurons as well as fight off the degeneration that comes with age.

Curcumin has also been linked to better heart health.  Perhaps because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.

In fact Curcumin has been shown to be as effective in heart health as exercise.

One of the biggest areas being researched is how Curcumin can both prevent and treat cancer.

It seems it is particularly effective on cancers of the digestive tract especially those in the colon.

Curcumin can reverse many age related dis-eases as well as the aging process itself.

Suffering from arthritis, then curcumin is the anti-inflammatory for you.

Studies are showing Curcumin to be as effective as many of its pharmaceutical counterparts but without the side effects.

Turmeric (curcumin) and Cauliflower (phenethyl isothiocyanates) are being used to halt and treat prostate cancer.

Studies are looking into Curcumin’s role in reducing childhood leukemia, as well as how it improves liver function.

For general health support just start adding turmeric and a bit of black pepper to your eggs in the morning as was suggested by Gardenia.

Add more curry dishes into your meal planning.

Turmeric has been used also as a dye but even more important is its role in ceremony and Hindu spiritualism.

Because of it’s bright yellow color it is associated with the Sun and was used as the dye for the robes for Hindu monks.

For anyone needing powerful medicinal support you do want to look into Curcumin extracts that also includes either
piperine or bioperine.

It is easy to see why Turmeric is being hailed as one of the World’s Healthiest Foods.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

*A couple of cautions are that Turmeric is a blood thinner, it can lower blood sugar levels, as well as increase stomach acid and bile production which can increase the absorption of certain medications.  Consult with your primary health care provider before adding Turmeric or Curcumin into your diet.

We all have experienced it!

We are feeling great, energetic and life is good.

And WHAM we are hit with a stressful situation and we feel like the rug is pulled out from us and we collapse with exhaustion.

The hormone cortisol, also called the stress hormone is being pumped through our bodies as it has been being done for thousands of years.

A very important hormone, cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands and is involved in many bodily functions.

It assists in proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, our immune system, as well as being involved in the inflammatory response.

Small amounts of cortisol provide us with quick bursts of energy in survival situations.  Cortisol also will heighten memory functions as well as lower our sensitivity to pain.

It is vital that our bodies return to normal functioning as quickly as possible as higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol will have a negative impact on us.

As our cortisol levels rise the opposite effects begin to happen such as impaired cognitive functions, suppressed thyroid function, and higher blood pressure.

Our immune responses are lessened, greatly affecting our ability to heal wounds as well as having increased health consequences in other areas of the body.

We all know the term, Fight or Flight, though this has been expanded to now be, Fight, Flight, or Freeze.

It is our default response to stress.  No matter how minor the stress we will typically respond with either Fight, Flight, or Freeze.

With this our bodies pump out cortisol and will continue to do so until we find a way to return to a relaxed state.

In the mean time we are exhausting our energy bank.

This is why after a stressful situation we are exhausted.  We might have just as well as run a marathon and our bodies feel as if we did, only without the satisfaction of a right movement.

We have stress all around us.  It seems as if it is getting worse and not better.   We need better ways of being with ourselves and the world to minimize our Fight, Flight, or Freeze reactions.

One method is to train ourselves to be always aware of our breathing.

When we breathe deep into the belly we soothe the nervous system and calm the cortisol releases.

In fact, as we work with our breathing we find we can calm most stress down immediately before it has a chance to increase simply by focusing our breathing into our bellies.

Here is an exercise you can do easily.

Lie down comfortably.  Have one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.  Now breathe and notice which of your hands is moving.

If you are breathing deep into your belly only your stomach hand will move.

If your chest hand is moving, as it will for most people then you are not breathing correctly to stimulate the relaxation response needed to calm the cortisol releasing and in turn the Fight, Flight, or Freeze response.

This deep belly breathing stimulates the Parasympathetic Nervous System, which regulates rest, decrease heart rates, muscle relaxation, and helps restore the body to a state of calm.

Once you have worked with the breathing you can apply this technique anytime and anywhere whether you are on a bus, at work, in the grocery line, or on a new adventure.

The key is to keep monitoring our breathing.  To keep checking in that our breath is deep in the belly and not stuck in our upper chest.

Fear will keep the breathing shallow and limited.  Breathing deep into the belly will calm fear down and help bring you back into the here and now to make right choices and decisions.

In terms of our energy bank, energy oozes out of us when we are not breathing correctly and we are then depleted and more susceptible to exhaustion and fatigue, which makes us more vulnerable to the slightest stress, which just depletes us even more.

It is no wonder that exhaustion is at such epidemic proportions.

It is no wonder as why so many are addicted to caffeine and other quick energy drinks.

Unless we find a mechanism that works to calm stress in our lives we are going to pump out cortisol (the stress hormone) until we literally collapse from exhaustion.

But first we will begin to experience symptoms such as an impaired immune system and more frequent sick days.  We will get more colds and flus.  We will not heal as quickly from simple cuts or bounce back as quickly from an illness.

We will react even more quickly to stress since our brain’s functioning is being impaired.

I believe that a simple change in how we breathe can have a huge impact on our energy levels, general body health, brain function, digestion, sleep, and virtually any other physical and emotional dis-ease we might be struggling with to heal.

Give this a try.  While in bed at night and again first thing in the morning have one hand on your belly and one on your chest and breathe so that only the belly hand moves and I know you will sleep better and you will wake up more relaxed.

And because we release more cortisol first thing in the morning then we tend to other times of the day, it is a good practice to start the day breathing, slowly and deeply.

As we are seeing having energy is about bringing harmony into many areas of our lives; enough water, the right foods, plenty of rest, and correct breathing as a start.

• If you are exhausted a lot ask yourself…

• Am I drinking 2-3 liters of water a day?

• Am I feeding myself the right fuel?

• Do I get enough sleep?  At least 7-8 hours a night!

• Is my belly moving when I breathe or am I holding my breath tight in my chest?

You can have more energy, improved health, and a better quality life filled with creativity and more joy.

“Feeling come and go like clouds in a windy sky.  Conscious breathing is my anchor.”  Thich Nhat Hanh

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

Super Foods…

How wonderful it would be to just open a can of spinach and like Popeye immediately have Super Energy.

What is interesting here is that spinach is in fact a super energy food as are the kales and other greens.

Popeye turned out to be the Green Smoothie Guru.

There are a lot of foods you can add to your diet that will enhance energy levels.

Adding foods such as Blueberries with their deep blue color as a by-product of flavonoids.  Not just a high energy food but blueberries protects our neurons (brain memory-carrying cells) and since having a high water content are great for hydrating.

I did a whole newsletter just on Advocados and because of their high “healthy” fat content are an energizing food.

For breakfast try oatmeal.  A fiber packed whole grain, oatmeal is an ideal choice for long lasting energy to get you started for the day and keep you going until your next refueling.

This is a good place to mention that for most people eating 4-5 small meals a day is going to give you more energy than trying to fit into the 3 large meal a day routine.

For most of us eating more frequent small meals will help our health in many areas not just for energy.

Our moods will be more stable and we will have an easier time with digestion.

Another high energy food are Almonds.  Yes Peanut Butter is also a high energy food but harder to digest than Almond Butter.

I carry around with me a small container of almonds and seaweed (kelp).  This simple combination not only provides energy but a full array of amino acids and minerals.

For one meal I will have humus I made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, parsley, seaweed, hemp seeds, garlic, and flax seed meal on an Ezekeil sprouted grain tortilla.  I bake the tortilla to get it a bit crispy and add spinach and humus.  Or sometimes I made chips by baking a bit longer.  You can change off adding basil or cilantro instead of parsley and a bit of cumin and or chipote for a different treat.

Sprouted grains are a great way to get good useuable sugars into our body (yes our body does need some sugar) and are the best form to ingest grains.

If your health food store carries Manna Bread, this is another food you might look into as a substitute for regular breads.  I use the Sunseed one.

We need a constant intake of protein throughout the day to keep our fuel tanks filled.  The key again is not too much in one meal and the right kind such as chicken, chickpeas, almonds, eggs, kefir, and yogurt.

For another meal I will have plain Green Valley Organics Yogurt, which is lactose free along with almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, with a tablespoon of coconut oil added in.  You can add blueberries also if you wish.

For most of us we need to limit our fruit intake as the sugar levels can be too high and contribute to a yeast overgrowth which in turn creates an environment perfect for difficulties such as CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), bloating, gas, constipation, brain dullness, and more…

So avoid flavored yogurts that have fruit and sweeteners added in.

Diet is one of the trickiest areas to speak of as individual needs can vary greatly.  I have been recommending a candida based diet as a foundation to begin with since it seems to fit many peoples’ needs and takes the guess work out of where to begin.  If you have missed the link to the site where you can get more information click here.

Be sure you are reading labels and keeping an eye on how much sugar is being added to different condiments and foods.  Take into account the sugar levels of the fruits, carbohydrates, and even vegetables such as carrots and beets all contribute to our daily sugar intake levels.

Though we need some healthy sugars in our diet we tend to take in way too many sugars that throws off the healthy balance of the body greatly affecting our energy levels.

The sugars with the lowest glycemic levels are agave, stevia, xylitol, and coconut sugar.  These sweeteners will have the least negative effect on overall energy levels on a long-term basis.

What we add is important but what we omit is perhaps even more vital.

For example having pasta for lunch or any refined carbohydrate will usually add to your grogginess not to your energy tank.

With each food or drink you are about to consume ask yourself if this is going to feed your body or not.

Many cravings we have are our bad gut bugs stimulating our craving receptors in our brains to want foods that feed them not us.

For example when we stop feeding the fungus in our bodies the sugar they need to survive they will actually stimulate a craving for sugar or carbohydrates for them to feed off of.

Here is another key.  If you are tired after eating and not recharged then either you are most likely eating too much at one meal or not the right foods for you.

I know this only skims the surface of what to eat but hopefully enough to get you started on your journey for Your Perfect Diet.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

The Vigor & Strength Of A Stallion…

This is what Ashwagandha means in Sanskrit.

I was planning on jumping right into more depth on diet but I wanted to offer something you can begin right today with little or no changes to any other part of your life and still be making a huge difference.

Ashwagandha is one of the most commonly used herbs in Ayurvedic healing.

It is renowned for its rejuvenating properties and its ability to restore health.

Here is some of how this herb can help.
Supports the immune system
Reduces the effects of stress on the system
Improves learning and memory
Reduces anxiety and depression
Stabilizes blood sugar
Anti-inflammatory
Supports Male & Female Reproduction
Rebuilds Energy Reserves
Helps the body to fall asleep naturally
What is interesting is that Ashwagandha neither stimulates nor sedates yet is a deep rejuvenator for the whole body.

In fact it is recommended to take Ashwagandha before bed to help with sleep disorders as well as during the day to support your energy levels.

This is an essential herb for anyone involved in a healing program.  Maintaining energy levels is vital for any healing to take place.

Research is also being done, as it appears Ashwangandha has cancer fighting properties also.

This herb is capturing the interest of the medical community and we will be seeing a lot more research on its uses.

But for now we can learn from the thousands of years that Ashwagandha has been being used in India and elsewhere for it remarkable support to our health.

For the power and vigor of the Stallion, try adding Ashwangandha to your program.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com