Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Dairy - Kind Does Matter!


I've been asked lately if dairy is bad for you.  As with anything, it depends what kind of dairy you are eating.  Let's take milk for example.

First, there's conventional dairy.  I believe it's the worst thing you can put in your body.  The average milk contains:
  • 20+ different chemicals and medications
  • 5 types of antibiotics including rBGH which has been linked to an increase risk of cancer by 35%
  • 5 types of steroids and growth hormones

Second, buying organic milk is a step up.  Organic milk has no pesticides, herbicides or hormones.  However, it is highly pasteurized at temperatures of 280 degrees and homogenized.  This damages the enzymes that our body needs.  Also, most cows are grass-fed, but not grass finished.  This means that cows only have to eat a diet that is 30% grass to be labeled as grass-fed.  Other parts of their diet could include corn, grain and antibiotics.  Sneaky ha?

Click here to read more.

I'm looking into Beyond Organic and their kefir drink called Amasai as a viable option to nourish the body with the maximum amount of strains of good bacteria.  Click here to see for yourself. 

I do not represent or sell this product.  However, I have a friend that does.  If you have interest please let me know and I'm happy to connect you.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Just because it's from Trader Joe's ...

Heard this before from your friends or family members?  “Mmm where did you get this from?” and she says, “Don’t worry, it’s from Trader Joe’s, so it’s organic.” The fact that people assume all products from Trader Joe’s are organic or healthy or better than what you would find elsewhere is an alarming misconception.
Just because you buy something from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods does not mean it's healthy, local, organic or good for you.

As companies continue to be under close scrutiny we need to get educated on the ingredients that we put into our bodies.  You can do this by first checking the ingredients list.  High fructose corn syrup, canola oil, msg, but, food colorings and added sugars are just a few of the ingredients that should not be on the list of what you are consuming.  

Your best bet is to purchase things that do not come in packages such as fruits and vegetables.  

To read more on this fascinating topic click here.


Monday, August 5, 2013

Hello Anxiety and Thank You for Stopping By - How I'm Overcoming Anxiety


It's been said to me by some that I always seem to have it all "put together".  As if I have never struggled, been a part of strife or had down days.  It's because of my struggles, strife and down days that have led me to the journey I am on today.  We've all had struggles with some element of our lives, but it doesn't have to be this way.


When I realized there was a higher calling for the work that needed to be done on this planet, I took a leap of faith from a 20-year career.  With any life change comes adjustment.  Big adjustment.  This is the beautiful thing about change.  It's why I love change.  If you accept the challenge, change can keep you outside of your comfort zone, that's where the big lessons are learned.  Emotions, feelings and pain will come up and cause you to lose focus.  The strategic placement in your body should be reason enough to find out why.

Will you let your emotions take you off course?  Will you acknowledge the anxiety, for example, that is present and let it have it's way with you?  Can you be ok with this?  You always have a choice.  You can listen to the negative thoughts and believe them (a belief is a thought that you keep believing) or can you observe the deep, panicky, shallow breath that anxiety brings and say thanks for stopping by but I won't be needing your services today.

Like a screaming child throwing a fit, this deep, panicky, shallow breath shall too evolve.  When so much change is flowing, your ego starts to talk.  "Will I do it right?", "What if it doesn't work?", "What if I do nothing?"

When I encounter a panic attack or wake up to anxiety, I'm certain I am out of alignment.  I tell myself it would feel healthier to me to let this evolve.  To get back into alignment, I practice the following technique:

1.  First, breathe!
2.  Second, relax!
3.  Third, feel it!
4.  Watch it.
5.  Allow it.


It also helps to practice yoga and/or meditation every morning.  After 1 month of this practice, I can now breathe freely, knowing that there will always be contrast and that it feels better to take note without it taking over.  Remember, you control the anxiety.  Don't let it control you.  You've got a higher calling.

"The more you think about it, the more you vibrate like it."
- Excerpt from the book Ask and it is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks.