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Practice for mindful traveling

Make Choices, Spirit for Healing April 6, 2018

 

When it comes to commitment to the healing, traveling is the best or the worst enemy you can fall for. A lot of my clients are very inspired and commit to spending a good amount of time for daily self-care after having a session with me. But when they go on a vacation or business trip, this is when they stop following their daily regimen.

What can you do?

Pack your own snacks before flying

Make sure you preplan and pick up something to bring with you before leaving home so that you can snack on while you are at the airport. You may have to spend up to two hours waiting for your plane to takes off.

It is very hard to find something that doesn’t break your healthy eating habit.

Booster juice? Starbucks smoothie? Well, could be a better choice than fries, potato chips, muffins, etc. But what’s even better? You prepare your own food that you know there are no chemicals or additives in it.

Packing your own lunch box is a great idea, or chop vegetable sticks (celery, cucumber, broccoli, etc), just grab one or two apples, and mixed nuts and seeds (fat) can make you feel full for a while.

Mindful traveling starts from the day you started getting ready for the mindful traveling happen. Anything is possible as long as you really want to keep you on track.

Drink plenty of water

When I had my first trip after I made my commitment to my healthy eating, I didn’t know whether I could carry on my own food that I bought. So I had never had my own snacks to fly with. I never really wanted to buy something from the airport either. All I did was to drink plenty of water.

As much as I believe in nutrition from whole foods, I also think it’s healthy to fast for a half day by drinking just clean water. By clean water, I mean a bottled “spring water”. Although I’m a no supporter of plastic bottles, when we are traveling, we got to give up certain things that we have no control over.

Show your gratitude. This is mindful traveling.

Search for local stores and restaurants

When I go traveling, one of my favorite things to do is to search for local organic restaurants, health food stores, and kombucha brewers. I love to find different products they sell than where I live. Since the “health” is my passion, my first priority is to eat healthy no matter where I am. Plus, I will be spending my money on local artisans when I’m eating a restaurant uses locally grown organic produces.

Once you find the stores and restaurants with where you can stay with your healthy eating habit, you feel like you are actually not traveling.

Once I was in the UK, I had a hard time finding one healthy food store around the hotel. I had a choice eating out in a non-organic restaurant. I gave my prayer over the plate and appreciated the food that I could eat. I believe what’s important is to accept and appreciate what comes to me. Disappointment and anger won’t help us digest any food that we put in our mouth.

Take time for yourself

Whether you are traveling on your own or with somebody else, it’s easy to lose track of time. Staying up late and waking up early can exhaust you before coming home. Take your time at least 10 mins daily to connect with your self. Set your mind and body peaceful.

Even though you might not be able to perform some self-care regimen that you do at home, you can easily get back on track if you don’t lose completely.

Have fun

While a lot of people fell behind of their daily regime, some want to stick to their daily habit while they go on traveling. They don’t want to forget the multiple supplements they are taking every day so that they are stressed whether they packed enough amount, and worry about the food they might or might not be able to eat during the trip.

We all adapt ourselves in a different environment. The important thing is to be easy when our environment changes. If you forget to take supplements, then forget it. You can’t stress about it like the end of the world.

As I mentioned above already, you will do your best to stay on track. And again, it’s possible. But if you fail, you may or may not have your health challenges back. It’s a learning process.

You can’t live based on your fear.

So enjoy while you are away.

If you lost it, you challenge yourself the next time to stay on track a bit longer.

What is “Self-Love”?

Educational Information, Healing Procedure, Make Choices, Spirit for Healing March 23, 2018

I was asked one day.

What does self-love mean?

Do you think I have known what self-love is before starting my healing journey?

NO.

I believe this is something you learn as you experience certain events in life and be willing to heal from those events emotionally and physically. I’m sorry but I don’t believe people lightly say “I love myself.”. Because that’s not what I’m not talking about.

Abusing is NOT self-love.

My abusing started when I stopped looking after my body.

I intentionally held bowel movement as I was ashamed to go to the toilet when I was like 7. Then started skipping meals or stopped eating “food” to lose weight. Which led to the anorexic behavior for about 6 years. The reason for the weight loss was that a boy in my class told me that I was chubby. Around the same time, my mother also told me that I was chubby. Since I was sort of competitive in nature, I promised myself to get skinny.

While I kept losing my weight, I also had an extreme pressure from my mother regarding the school work. I was probably a decent student in elementary school but the pressure was put before I enrolled mid school. This pressure gave me stomach pains every morning. I remember taking painkiller pills every day for the next several months until I collapsed in the middle of the class.

Apparently, I almost had a hole in my stomach. Who knows if that was from the pills or the stress.

In the meantime, I have introduced to laxatives from a senior student in school when I was 13 for my constipation. Luckily, my family wasn’t big on any medications unless it’s an emergency. So when I discovered the pills that helped my bowel movement, I was hooked. And addicted.

The daily dose of the laxative was two. How much I took daily was 6. It also helped me keep losing weight. This laxative addiction lasted another 10 years from then.

When I became a high school girl, my eating habit started to rebound. I binge ate pizza, cookies, and other snacks. My mother was happy I started eating no matter what I was eating. I tried to keep my weight just below 100 lbs (my height was 5’6″) with laxatives until I moved away from my parents’.

I started living alone in Tokyo while I was in college. Here I started having serious bulimic behavior. It was very tough times as I had never been able to tell anyone about my “secret”, even my boyfriend whom I was in a serious relationship with.

Tokyo is such a big city where I could easily abuse my body, such as lack of sleep, heavy alcohol intake, binge eating, and very lonely in the heart.

Let me remind you that none of above is ever “self-love”. I abused my body both physically and emotionally. Especially, I remember I cried every time I was trying to throw up in the toilet which often wasn’t an easy procedure.

And HATED me.

I hated myself not knowing when this was going to end. I hated myself not to be able to control my eating attitude. I hated myself hiding “true self” from my partner I loved. I hated myself acting happy in public and being a mess when I was alone.

On the contrary…

I’d like to think of myself I’m a much more self-loving girl now. Sure, the environment is different and I am older. I have learned what I was supposed to along the way. “Wholistic Healing Arts” – body, mind, and spirit. And I am still learning every single day.

Physically Self-loving

I sleep (at least trying to intentionally, if not.) 8 hours a day. I eat 100% organic including plenty of vegetables and occasionally fish and organ meats that nourish my body. I also quit alcohol in 2011 when I decided to commit to my healing. I excuse myself to go to a toilet whenever I need. I stopped weighing in 2005 (I have weighed once in 2009 and was the last time I did so.) but don’t feel pity about my body. I exercise lightly but daily. I enjoy the detox procedures such as Epsom salt bath, castor oil packs, vaginal steam, and coffee enema to help my body regenerate.

Mentally Self-loving

I learned to forgive myself and others in any situations. I learned to understand the unique human being. I learned to set my own boundary. I learned my limitations. I learned that every emotion (anger, sadness, grief, fear, etc) had its own right to be felt. I learned to let myself express how I feel. I learned to say no. I feel comfortable being self-reserved. I learned to let go of toxic relationships. I don’t waste my time with people engage in drama. I laugh every possible moment.

Spiritually Self-loving

I practice 1000 gratitude a day (I haven’t reached 1000 yet, I am trying every day!). I learned the relationship between female hormonal cycle and intuition, which helped me to understand when I would be more intuitive and when I would be more logic. I always ask “Why” to whatever happens in life which will let me become more aware of signs from the universe. I listen to my heart. I say thank you in every possible moment.

Other Self-loving

I don’t try to become someone whom I am not. This is a tough one from time to time, however. We meet people who are like-minded in some topics and completely opposite in other topics. Can we be still close to those people?

The answer is YES. All we have to do is to accept who they are. We don’t need to be with them 24/7. We hang out when we are talking about something in common. You don’t need to project yourself to like everything they do.

I know that I’m not for everyone. What I believe in life is not for everyone. How I see life isn’t for everyone. What works for me isn’t for everyone. Sure. If a lot of people show up in my life and they are all like-minded people, that’s great. But that’s not really my goal for self-love. Self-love here is to be okay with who you are, no matter how many people will become your people. What’s important is that you keep loving yourself despite the change “outside” you.

The Basics: The Principles of Proper Food Combining

Educational Information, Healing Procedure, Make Choices February 16, 2018

 

Why do we want to pay any attention to the way we combine the foods we eat?

Our digestive tract is not designed to digest the complex foods that most of us combine together. There are very important reasons for learning to combine your foods correctly. Before the foods we eat can be absorbed through the intestinal tract and transported to the cells through the bloodstream, they must first be broken down into simpler biochemical forms. The key components necessary for this process are called enzymes.

Enzymes are the active elements in the digestive juices responsible for the proper biochemical breakdown and digestion of our food. These enzymes have specialized functions and definite limits in their capabilities. Different digestive enzymes are secreted for digesting specific types of food. For example, an enzyme that helps digest fats won’t break down proteins or carbohydrates. Likewise, an enzyme that digests carbohydrates won’t work on fats or proteins. The process our body uses for the digestion of proteins is different from the process used for the digestion of carbohydrates and starches.

By understanding that our digestive enzymes have specialized functions and biochemical limitations, it becomes obvious that our systems are not designed to digest numerous types of foods at the same time. Improperly combined foods are poorly digested and produce toxic metabolic byproducts. The buildup of these toxic byproducts in the body can be the source of many serious health problems.

Although changing our dietary habits can present a challenge, the rewards of vitality, health, and well-being are definitely worth the effort. There are remarkable benefits physically, emotionally, and mentally when we choose to cooperate with our body’s biochemical capabilities and follow the principles of proper food combining.

 

Protein

Proteins are one of the most abundant substances in the body. They are used in building and repairing tissues and are a most important factor in maintaining food health and vitality.

Proteins are composed of smaller substances called amino acids and are more complex than fat or carbohydrates. They are digested under the influence of the proteolytic (protein-splitting) enzymes pepsin and trypsin. Protein requires an acid medium in which to digest. Therefore, protein foods and starch/carbohydrate foods (which require a more alkaline medium for digestion) should be eaten at separate meals.

Fats slow down digestive processes, so it is better not to combine fats and protein at the same meal.

Becuase simple sugars (fruits, honey, and syrups, etc) are so quickly digested, they should not be eaten with protein, which requires a more complex and prolonged digestive process.

 

Carbohydrates/Starches

Carbohydrates are usually referred to as sugars and starches. The body converts all sugars and starches to simple sugars such as glucose for the immediate use by the body, and glycogen stored for energy in the liver. These simple sugars are used as a fuel for the muscles, nervous system, and brain.

Simple sugars, such as those found in honey and fruits, are easily digested. Starches, such as those found in whole grains, are more complex, having to be broken down into glucose. Cellulose, a carbohydrate found in the skin and fiber of fruits and vegetables, provides bulk for good intestinal functions and proper elimination.

The main enzymes involved in carbohydrate/starch digestion are salivary amylase called ptyalin and pancreatic amylase called amylopsin. Carbohydrate/starch foods require an alkaline medium for proper digestion. Therefore, eat protein foods which require an acid medium for digestion and carbohydrate/starch foods at separate meals. Becuase simple sugars such as fruits are so quickly digested, they should not be eaten with complex carbohydrates (grains, bread, or potatoes, etc), which require a more complex and prolonged digestive process.

Consumption of refined carbohydrate foods such as white flour products, white sugar, candy, and other “junk foods” can cause toxicity and vitamin/mineral deficiencies in the body and can lead to serious health problems.

 

Fats/Oils

Fats (a.k.a lipids) are the most concentrated source of energy in the diet. They are compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are the same elements found in carbohydrates but present in different combinations and proportions.

Along with providing energy, fats serve as the carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, and K). Fats are an integral part of the process through which calcium is made available to the tissues of the body. They are also important for helping the body convert carotene to vitamin A.

Under the influence of lipases (fat-splitting enzymes), which are secreted by the pancreas, fats and oils are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids. Fatty acids are necessary for normal growth and for healthy blood, arteries, and nerves. Glycerol is converted in the liver into glucose or glycogen to be used as fuel for energy.

Oils are similar to fats but are usually liquid at room temperature. Fats and oils tend to slow down and inhibit digestion. Therefore, it is best to avoid eating fats and proteins at the same meal.

 

 

 

Reference:

Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy Professional Care Level 2 (pg118-119)

[Based on the work of Herbert Shelton, ND]

How EMF can Affect the Healing?

Educational Information, Healing Procedure, Make Choices February 9, 2018

 

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are made up of electric and magnetic fields, which are situated perpendicular to one another and travel together in the form of an invisible wave.

While EMFs have been around since the sun and even the earth naturally emits some EMFs, the human race is being exposed to previously unheard-of levels of artificial EMFs in the year 2016, and the problems keep growing with the technologies that we now enjoy and have become completely dependent on.

Every one of us is now exposed to man-made EMFs that are classified into two categories by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

  • Low-frequency EMF radiation –  they are non-ionizing radiation that bears lower frequencies than visible light. Examples include high-performing computers, smart meters, microwave ovens, cell phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, MRIs and power lines.
  • High-frequency EMF radiation – they are ionizing radiation that bears higher frequencies than visible light. Examples include X-rays, Gamma rays, and UV light.

Figure-2. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation spectrum.

Danger of EMFs

There is no question that too much exposure to high-frequency radiation can create health problems like being in the sun too long. We get sunburned from the prolonged UV exposure. There is a good reason that the technician asks if we are pregnant before getting X-Rays. This is because X-Rays can cause harm to the growing baby.

The effects of low-frequency EMF radiation are more controversial for many reasons.

First, symptoms due to use of microwave ovens, smart meters, WiFi, cell phones, etc. can be very subtle at first or not noticeable at all, but they may become serious problems over time rather than immediately.

Second, the electronic and telecommunication industries have strong financial interests in consumers not being aware of potential harm from using their products, while they have a major conflict against consumers becoming aware of health effects from EMF exposure.

A meta-analysis of cell phone studies revealed that the most of studies funded by the non-cell phone industry indicated a higher risk of brain tumors among cell phone users, while the majority of studies funded by the cell-phone industry showed that cell phone users had a lower risk of brain tumors! Despite this result, The International Agency for Research on Cancer has already categorized low-frequency EMF radiation as a possible carcinogen (in a Group 2B).

However, the danger of EMF exposure isn’t limited to cancer. Becuase our nervous system and heart run on electricity, EMF interference is particularly risky for our heart and brain function.

A study shows that EMFs can directly change the behavior of tissues and cells alike, and harm our bone marrow, blood, DNA, reproductive system, cardiovascular system and endocrine system.

Symptoms related to EMF exposure

The symptoms experienced by people who are exposed to prolonged high levels of low-frequency EMFs include:

  •  Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Memory loss
  • Dizziness
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Higher risk of cancer

What can you do to reduce exposure to man-made EMFs?

While it is almost impossible to completely avoid EMFs, there are some steps to help reduce the exposure.

  • Keep your devices (cell phones, tablets, computers, and other wi-fi or blue tooth devices) away from your body. This means to use of headphones for long conversations instead of placing the phone right by the ear and to avoid placing your cell phone in your pocket, especially close to breasts and groins.
  • Stick to hardwire connections rather than Wi-fi.
  • Sleep away from the source of the energy (breaker), electronics (router, etc) and/or large appliances (refrigerator, etc) that run overnight, even though the appliance is on the other side of the wall.
  • Keep your electronic devices switched off when they are not in use.

Also, avoid living near strong sources of EMF radiation such as smart meters, power lines, radio stations, etc.

How to mitigate the negative effect of EMF exposure?

  • Grounding can neutralize the positive ions emitted by EMFs. You can be grounding/earthing by walking barefoot or sitting on a sandy beach.
  • Expose yourself to negative ions like waterfalls, and ocean. Other nature’s negative ion source is a Himalayan salt lamp.
  • Nutrition! Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Turmeric, and more can help protect tissues and cells in the body from EMF radiation damages.

You can not completely avoid things that affect negatively in our body. But you can at least be conscious of things in life. And don’t forget to be grateful for nature protect you, aside from being aware of the EMF dangers.

 

Especially, when you are in the middle of a difficult time in healing, you want to consider those EMF radiation exposures as one of the causes for slowing down the process. The system and the function of the body are too weak to either eliminate toxins or regenerate the new tissues.

It could be a challenge but baby steps!

 

 

DefenderShield Cell Phone Radiation Protection Case

References:

Natural News

Wellness Mama

 

What are FREE RADICALS?

Educational Information, Healing Procedure, Make Choices, Spirit for Healing December 21, 2017

 

Free radicals are not new in nature. They have been around for millions of years along with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids (EFAs), and protective anti-oxidants found naturally in food. A free radical is an atom or molecular fragment with an unpaired electron. It is very unstable, highly reactive particle, because it hates to be alone and like to be paired. Therefore, it will draw an electron from wherever it can, including other molecules pair in the body, causing them to change structure. These molecules then become free radicals creating a chain reaction with millions of molecules being affected in nanoseconds.

Endogenous (from inside the body) Sources of Free radicals:

Free radicals are intermediates of the normal chemical reactions taking place in the body, including oxidative reactions to produce the energy that our cells require for detoxification, nutritional assimilation, and more. Our body’s immune system also produces free radicals which it uses to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. If the immune system becomes chronically over-activated by chronic inflammation such as allergies and major operations, there is an extra burden of free radicals in the body.

While those oxidative reactions and immune responses are vital and absolutely necessary, unpaired electrons involved in oxidation can damage molecules in cells and tissues. And this becomes free radical stress, also known as oxidative stress in the body which leads abnormal, toxic, and biologically unsuitable substances to cause degenerative health conditions such as cancer.

Also, it is so important to mention about emotional stress. Emotional stress significantly increases the release of hormones (epinephrine/norepinephrine/cortisone) which in excess act like free radicals creates bio-chemical changes and damages the cells and tissues.

Exogenous (from outside the body) Sources of Free radicals:

  • Preservatives and other chemicals in food
  • Pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic hormones in non-organic food
  • Alcohol and smoking
  • Prescription drugs
  • Pollution
  • Radiation and microwave
  • Toxic metals like mercury, aluminum, and lead
  • Trans and hydrogenated fats

 

Luckily, our body is so incredible that it uses antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, A, selenium, CoQ10, as well as enzymes that contain minerals like zinc, manganese, and copper to neutralize free radical toxicity.

How Free radicals become “Bad” guys?

As I mentioned above, free radicals are produced from our body’s biological reactions besides exogenous sources and they can’t cause cell destruction when protective antioxidants are present in the body.

But in this fast-paced modern society, nutritional deficiencies are on the rise, especially vitamins and minerals (antioxidants!).

We eat packaged foods that are highly processed (often with chemicals), heated with high temperature in vegetable oils, and exposed to the light and oxygen. Those are perfect candidates for free radical damages in the body. There is no doubt that free radicals cause degenerative health conditions but the root cause for this is the nutritional deficiencies. By addressing the deficiencies, we could tame the free radical stress.

When I was working in a health food store, people asked me if it was really beneficial to take Omega-3. They were informed by Mr. “google” or some doctors didn’t know much about the benefit of Omega-3 that they cause the free radical damages rather doing the good.

YES. Omega-3s (and Omega-6s) are very sensitive to light, heat and oxygen (I have written about fats here.). Special care needs to be taken in processing, packaging, and storing rich in EFAs in order to avoid free radicals damages. However, to set such conditions costs labour and time. As a result, the necessary care is not usually taken.

Some haters (or just got a job writing about health and wellness) focus on this fact that scares readers without proving the solution to it. I think it is so important to intake Omega-3 either from food or nutritional supplements if you are dealing with asthma, eczema and other health conditions chronically. If you are scared of free radicals from processing the EFAs, eat more whole foods that can protect the cells with antioxidants.

It is so twisted if you are eating highly processed packaged foods and scared of free radical damages from bottled EFAs that could protect your cells. But only if your body has vitamins and minerals that assimilate the fat and act as antioxidants. Again, those have to come from whole foods or nutritional supplements.

Nature does its best to protect our body. Our job is to listen and take action.

References:

Organic restaurants are safe and healthy choice when going out for food?

Make Choices, Spirit for Healing December 21, 2017

 

When we are just about to enter the healing journey, eating out isn’t the first one to cut out of your life, because we have our social lives to keep. So we start suggesting friends to go to restaurants that serve more vegetables, gluten free, vegan/vegetarian options, and better yet they are either partially or completely organic. As far as I know, most of those restaurants support local farmers. That’s great! We feel less guilty eating fries if they are made in “healthy” restaurants.

Are they really healthy?

I have worked in different restaurants such as a bar, oyster house, and vegan/vegetarians’ over the years as a cook. And I have never found any restaurants that satisfy my way of eating when it comes to the way those restaurants make food, and ingredients and the way they are combined in a dish.

First of all, you don’t know what you are about to eat is really fresh. The food prep is usually done at least a day or two ago. If restaurants were slow on those days, they could be sitting in a fridge for days. Vegetable are exposed to oxygen and lights after being cut into pieces. Nutrients will be lost quickly, especially when they were pre-cooked.

Secondly, I like to mention about kitchen equipments. Among the restaurants I had worked in the past, some restaurants used teflon frying pans and aluminum pots besides stainless steel or cast iron ones. How about dishwasher they use? Do you think they use chemical free dish soap? Unfortunately, they don’t. That’s so rare to find places completely chemical free. Once dishes are washed with soap full of chemicals, they stays as they dry out. And you will be eating your food with toxic chemicals on the plates.

Lastly, yet most importantly, the biggest concern of mine is the oil. Especially, the vegetable oils such as canola oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and other vegetable oils. I have written more about oils here.

The word free radicals has been well-known since a lot of scientists and doctors confirmed that they were responsible for the health crisis and degenerative diseases.  They are created from our body’s natural metabolism but the problem here I want to talk about is the way we consume oils is hugely contributing the free radical toxicity in the body.

When oils are heated, exposed to light or air, they change the chemical structure and become active as unpaired electron in the structure tries to pair up with other electron. This unpaired electron acts like a knife in the body damages the tissues and organs. This is so called free radical damages in the body.

Some oils such as coconut oil, palm oil, butter, ghee, and refined oils like high oleic sunflower oil, or high oleic safflower oil are more stable in the heat. But ideally all oils should not be heated especially when we are healing from degenerative conditions.

Restaurants consume so much oil a day so that they have to buy oils in huge bulks which usually come in plastics. When they are used for cooking, usually they are heated in high temperature.

Everybody has their own unique healing abilities. And there are differences how fast you degenerate your health or heal from health conditions. Because we all have weaknesses and strengths in different tissues and organs. So we can’t really compare with others who could be eating McDonald’s for years and they could be having no problems at all (or not paying attention to their health. Usually they are on medications masking what really is happening to their body.).

I come back to the question “How bad you want your health back?”. We can’t force anyone to do what they should do.    It’s always up to us whether we want to commit to our health.

Love in food that we are eating!

I also believe in healing property of the food we are eating. When we make food our own with love and healing energy, the food become more nutritious and will be assimilated optimally in the body.

If a cook in a restaurant had a bad day and making your food with anger, or is having a super busy moment and making your food with the pressure, your food could be burnt (which is carcinogenic) and carries on the stress as its energy.

Especially, when you are willing to reverse the health condition, take time to make your food with prayer and good healing energy.

That’s probably what you would be doing if you are trying to impress someone who you really like.                                     So why don’t you for yourself? (This is SELF-LOVE!)

Say Bye-Bye to Teflon pans!

Make Choices November 9, 2017

 

Nonstick cookware is made with highly reactive toxic chemicals that can turn to toxic gas when overheated. As those toxins are linked to numerous health problems, including thyroid dysfunction, weakened immune function, liver inflammation, elevated cholesterol, etc., it’s very important for you to choose safer cookware to reduce the risk of inhaling toxic particles especially, when you are healing from health challenges.

What you should know about non-stick?

Non-stick surfaces are metal pans such as aluminum coated with a synthetic polymer called polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE) and chemical “family”(PFCs), also known as Teflon.

Toxic gases from the Teflon chemical released from pots and pans at high temperatures may cause people to develop flu-like symptoms (called “Teflon Flu” or, as scientists describe it, “Polymer fume fever”). The long-term effects of regular exposure to Teflon gases hasn’t be adequately studied. Interestingly, ingesting particles that flake off scratched non-stick cookware isn’t toxic because solid PTFE flakes are inert.

Manufacturers’ labels often warn consumers to avoid high heat when cooking on Teflon. But Environmental Working Group-commissioned tests conducted in 2003 showed that in just two to five minutes on a conventional stove top, cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces could exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases.

There are also environmental hazards of Teflon besides its impact on health danger. Manufacturing PFCs and the products that contain them pose great risks to the environment and wildlife. According to The American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFCs exhibit “Persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity properties to an extraordinary degree.”

Safer cookwear options?

While we see a growing number of new cookware options on the market, it is overwhelming and hard to know which ones are safe. Especially, when they’re advertised as “Seen on TV” “Green” or “Not non-stick.” Environmental Working Group recommends cast iron and stainless steel cookware as safer options for stove-top cooking, and oven-safe glass for baking. Although these safer pans have a reputation of being hard to care for, they are very low maintenance. You can get the same convenience and possibly improve your health rather than worsening it.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is incredibly durable, and can be expected to last for lifetime. It simply needs to be scrubbed clean with just water after each use, then dried completely and given a very light coating of oil (butter, coconut oil, etc). A well seasoned cast-iron is naturally nonstick, and becomes more so over time. The oil used in cooking forms a tight seal from scratches.

Because of its thickness, cast iron cookware distributes heat more evenly, and can be used to give much more flavour and textures, and the increased amount of iron in your food. It can also be used in the oven.

What to do with non-stick if you are stuck with it?

  • As empty pans can rapidly reach high temperatures, never preheat nonstick cookware. Heat at the lowest temperature possible to cook your food safely.
  • If cooking with nonstick cookware in an oven, the temperature should be lower than 500 degrees.
  • Use the fan over the stove.
  • Skip the self-cleaning function on your oven with nonstick interior parts. It cleans by heating up to high temperatures, which can release toxic fumes.
  • Be mindful when buying a new cookware.

Other ways we are exposed to PFCs and how to avoid them?

It’s time to look into homewares that we used daily basis. They could possibly be the reason of your health challenges.

 

Source: www. ewg.org

How bad you want your health back?

Make Choices, Spirit for Healing October 21, 2017

 

Among those who came to see me for their health conditions, I would say probably less than 20 % was ready to make their lifestyle and dietary changes. And I’m not complaining nor trying to change them.

Their priority is the main reason. I would say they are not ready to make changes because of it.

I was lucky enough to have been able to say, “Sorry, I have to be alone for my healing. I can’t see you while I am going through ups and downs. I really need to be focusing on myself.”, when I was just about to enter the most difficult time for healing. I knew my priority. I knew what was the most important matter for me to focus. So I chose me over a very loving man. He understood and gave me a huge respect for my decision. He understood how bad I wanted to heal. He understood how painful it was for me to see him with the red scaly inflamed itchy skin all over my body.

But not a lot of people can make a decision like I did. Some are in a long relationship so that they are living together for many years. Some have the family members who don’t understand holistic healing arts what so ever. Some are too scared to change diet which they grew up on. Even though they are super inspired by healing their conditions without medications but with diet, the nutritions.

I had a Japanese client who was married to a man who never had an interest in healthy eating. But she sought for my professional advice for her allergies. I have suggested the food combining to begin with and all other things. First thing that she worried was her husband. She asked me how she could convince him to understand what she was just about to do. And her second concern was her social life, eating out with her friends.

Well, first of all. We have to explain the reason profoundly why you will be changing how you eat if you are doing the food combining, for example. Give them the reason or two in order for them to understand how badly you want your health back. And most of people who love you, who care for you your health, they will understand you and be supportive for your decision.

I have to say, however, some people say things oppose to your decision because they don’t want you to get what you want. Simply, this could be because they are jealous of you who are strong enough to try to achieve your goal. Or in some cases, especially your parents, they worry no matter what.

One of my mentors once told us about his client. He was obese and had multiple disorders but his background was Italian. He grew up in a family eats greasy pasta, pizza, and other cheesy food. But since he started working with my mentor, he lost 45 lbs (which was still normal weight range) and some symptoms disappeared after couple of months. When his parents saw him leaner, they said that he was too skinny!

Family and friends are the most challenging people that you may have to convince. But if you try to take time to explain sincerely with passion, they will for sure understand you and support you. I believe this will happen to your spouse and children. More over, they could benefit from the dietary change you make!

Social life could be one of obstacles to make changes in your life. But I think it is totally up to you. I would certainly suggest to prepare your own food as much as you could in order to avoid additives, potential toxins, and excess sugar. And if you are 100% committed to your healing, you will do so. However, I understand it will be very difficult to cut every single social gathering all together. If you can have some snack before the gathering at home, you may not need to eat at the party. Whether your food is randomly prepared or made to order, be wise to choose what you eat. Social life with people who aren’t eating as strict as you are could be hard at the beginning but I found it will become easier once you familiarize yourself what/what not to eat or the proper food combining. It doesn’t matter whether people around you know your dietary restrictions or not.

Once your digestion, conditions, or symptoms get better, you should be able to eat without restrictions. For some, they may have the weaknesses in the system so that they won’t be able to eat like before. They have to stick to the certain protocol. Some prefer to stay with the protocol because it feels good.

When conditions and symptoms disappear, we tend to go back to an old habit. Because the pain, discomfort, and all other challenges with the conditions we had will disappear too. And we forget how it was like. But we have to remember what brought you the health challenges in the first place. If we keep doing the same thing dragged you down to the point you had to struggle for your health, it will get us again.

If your body fails you, where will you live?

Before going to see a practitioner

Make Choices October 6, 2017

 

As we all have a different belief system in life, every single holistic practitioner does his/her unique belief system. It depends on what they have learnt, who they learnt with, where their knowledge is coming from, how they processed the information/knowledge, and so forth.

For example, I am not formally religious but I believe in God (Goddess), the universe, the entities, the angels, the spirits that are guiding me everyday. Now, God (Goddess) I mean is an undescribable figure as he/she could be myself or could be the universe. The very important point is that I believe that without them, my healing didn’t happen, it could have been harder to heal without their guidance.

I also believe in nutritions in animal products** such as butter, ghee, raw milk, organ meats, fish, fish oils, etc. **organic

Before I studied with Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mcbride for GAPS diet, I was a nutritionist who were giving suggestions according to my client’s dietary preference, meaning if they are vegetarian, then I would suggest dietary recommendation around it. So as vegans, or meat eaters. I tried to respect their diet no matter what health challenges they had.

This is because I was very confused by instructors in school while learning holistic nutrition. When a raw vegan instructor was teaching a course, then we were to believe “go raw vegan!”. Later, an another instructor believed in animal products. He would say “Eat more organ meats, don’t be a vegetarian or vegan!”. Some students who were vegetarians even argued with him in class!! It was very much like people who believed in different religions!

From that moment, I promised myself to guide my future clients according to their dietary preference without convincing to go either side. But unfortunately, this was me without knowing how really our body heals.

Now, after learning more about our body, how we could help our body to heal by eating food that is bio-available, I am now believe in GAPs Diet that suggests more animal fat, organ meats, fermented foods, and fermented dairy products. So, if new clients come to see me for a nutritional consultation now, I would have a session completely different from years ago. I may need to ask them to change their dietary preference. But I want them to know that this is for the healing, not to judge their belief system. It should never be for that anyways as a professional practitioner.

 

So what can you do?

Please know that every practitioner will suggest something differently for your health challenges based on their knowledge or dietary preference.

For example, when he/she is vegan, they may tell you to get flax oil in order to have some DHA over fish oils or Vitamin D2 over Vitamin D3. They may tell you to eat more raw. But there are hidden risks for this. Especially, for those who have severe digestive problems with/without symptoms.

Research before booking an appointment!

I personally suggest you to go to see a practitioner who knows about GAPs Diet, especially when you are trying to heal from eczema, asthma, and allergies (of course, many other conditions could be helped by GAPs too!!). Sometimes, when we need help, we just search for practitioners randomly in the area without knowing what they are really specialized in. It is very important that you feel right about the practitioner when you find him/her or after doing the ton of research about them. If you don’t know whether this is the one to book an appointment with, probably NOT. When in doubt, just move on, and keep searching. You could even call or email to have a chat to get to know them. This way, you will have a good sense of who they are.

Good chemistry = > Great guidance

When you feel good about the practitioner, please trust and follow the guidance. When things are not going well, we tend to think that we should look for somebody else for help. ((Except, other modalities are fine, such as body talk but be careful with acupuncture (or TCM). Especially when they suggest you for Chinese herbs.)) In a worst case, some go back to a medical doctor who gives you medications. Well, when this happens, your healing will go back to square one.

Please remember, healing takes time and you are the healer of your own. It is not someone else who is healing you but yourself. Your search for a practitioner was to have a proper guidance for the healing. In order not to confuse yourself, you don’t need multiple different dietary guidances. Trust your intuition for this. You did your own research for a good amount of time by now.

 

Need help for finding a practitioner local?

Some practitioners (myself too!) do offer a Skype session if you can’t find a practitioner with a great vibe in your local area. Go to this site to find out.

 

One more important thing to consider when looking for a practitioner…

Please do find a practitioner who is familiar with the body’s psychosomatic responses. Especially, when it comes to skin disorders, our psychological and/or physical state is largely involved.

Our skin is itself an organ, just like the heart, lungs, and liver. It is the body’s largest organ, in fact. And perhaps, it’s most sensitive. Because the skin is your boundary with the world outside, at which every act of love, hate, work, and play takes place, it is here that you experience pleasure and pain.

Remember that emotional difficulties can cause some skin diseases; and that even when the cause is clearly physical such as from heredity, infection, or chemical irritation, it may trigger attacks or make them more severe.

It is always a plus to find practitioners who understand this.