I must admit, when I finished reviewing the Channel 5 news story on Acai Berries, Colon Cleansing, and weight loss, I went to the attached link to receive my free trial bottle of Acai berry/Colon Cleansing pills myself. For $90.00 a month, I too could continue to receive a bottle of pills to take and lose these extra ten pounds I am carrying following the birth of my three children. Unfortunately, there was a hangup with my credit card (I don't understand the new code they want entered that seems to be different from the number on the back of my card). So, as I was trying for the third time to get my card to go through, I had been given enough time to pause for thought and decided to stop altogether. Upon reflecting on my eagerness to try this supplement, I am quite disappointed in myself. Contrary to my actions, I actually believe that we as a society are growing more and more attached to the ideas of a "quick fix" and a "miracle pill" to solve all of our problems. We are loosing sight of the fact that meaningful results come from hard work, discipline and life-style changes. Why is it that so often we grow discouraged when we can't see the fruits from our labor in a short amount of time? Truly, will an orange tree bear fruit before it has matured? Will a bird hatch from an egg before it has grown? Will a butterfly emerge from a cocoon before its metamorphosis is complete?
As I sit here writing this blog, I am doing research on the Acai Berry and its roots. It originated in the Amazon where the local people used the fruit from the Acai tree to eat and juice. I found the website for the company Acai Roots. Here is their link.
http://www.acairoots.com/acai_berry_history_2_ctg.htm
While reading through this website, I find much of the information compelling me to once again purchase a product. These folks talk about this amazing fruit that is part of the lifestyle indicative of certain people living in Rio and Brazil. However, I am also reminded of the research paper I wrote in high school (in the 1980's) about the deforestation of the Amazon rain forest, the loss of many indigenous people, animals and plants, and the potentially devastating effects these changes could have on the world. On the Acai Roots website, there is information about how the company gives back to local people and supports efforts to help children. However, I could find no information on where exactly the company harvests their acai berries, who does the harvesting, how or where the berries are processed, and what happens if the market for acai berries begins to grow.
Compelling information about the many health benefits of the acai berry as a part of a healthy and active lifestyle would draw the interested consumer to purchase this product for improved personal health. But, now that I practice Yoga on a daily basis, I am invested in asking myself to think about the consequences of my actions not only to myself, but also to the community in which I live and to the world at large. As interested as I am to explore the touted benefits of the acai berry, I can not help but wonder if my purchasing of this product would ultimately add to the growing need to plant more trees and eventually lead to the destruction of more rain forest to develop acai tree farms.
The acai berry is said to be a powerful antioxidant. Guess what else is a powerful antioxidant? Glutathione. Where does it come from? Our liver manufactures it. According to "Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice" Fifth Edition, by Barbara Montgomery Dossey and Lynn Keegan, glutathione is "synthesized in the liver, where it is involved in the detoxification of pathways and protects against free radical damage. Glutathione helps to recycle other antioxidants. Glutathione is involved in the synthesis and repair of DNA." Guess what interferes with our body's ability to manufacture glutathione? Malnutrition and poor quality nutritional intake, stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking, and excessive pharmaceutical or illicit drug abuse all can effect efficient use of glutathione according to Montgomery Dossey and Keegan.
"The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in," BKS Iyengar. There are Yoga poses we can engage in to detoxify our bodies, there are food choices we can make to provide nutrition for our bodies, there are foods we can limit or avoid to reduce the amount of pesticides and chemicals we ingest. We can learn to choose to eat for health and wellness, rather than to eat for pure pleasure or stress reduction or convenience.
Colon cleansing and a detoxification diet for a few days are certainly things to consider attempting. There are important factors to consider prior to engaging in a detox. First, if you are going to detox your body to clean out any build up of toxins, ask yourself if it makes sense to take a pill to help. The whole point of a detox is to stop putting things in to your body for a period of time. Here is link to an interesting and detailed article about the benefits of fasting and why it works.
http://www.gaianstudies.org/articles4.htm
There are also Yoga poses that can cleanse and encourage detoxification of the body. Follow these links on the Yoga Journal website to see some poses that can help.
http://www.yogajournal.com/search?q=detox
We all are drawn to exotic products that promise better results than the "same old, same old" every day products we see on our shelves. As tempting as acai berries sound, they are not produced here in South Dakota where my body resides. As much as is reasonable, I believe it is necessary to support local producers of food - food that is produced near where my body resides. Now, in the strictest sense of that philosophy, the only thing we have in abundance right now is snow - which of course would not sustain me for very long. But, the point is that I check the origins of each item I purchase in the stores and try to choose items that come from places as close to me as I can. I try to think about the impact my purchasing power has on the economy. I try to be discriminating when it comes to who gets my hard-earned money. Finally, I attempt to ponder the real benefits of buying an exotic pill versus being patient and following a sound nutritional diet and exercise plan.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Compassion
Compassion: "a feeling of distress and pity for the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it."
Collins-English Dictionary HarperCollins Publisher 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
The recent violence in Tuscon, Arizona and Omaha, Nebraska and certainly world wide has brought about increasing conversation. Many people wonder what can drive an individual to such lengths. I heard an interesting conversation on the radio yesterday discussing just this topic. Karen Armstrong, the author of "Twelve Steps To A Compassionate Life" was interviewed and discussed her exploration of compassion through the ages. She raises some interesting points in her conversation with Neil Conan and I have attached a link to that conversation on this blog.
http://www.npr.org/2011/01/10/132809627/concrete-ways-to-live-a-compassionate-life
While listening to the radio, I contemplated my own challenges with compassion. In Yoga classes, I teach others how to let go of the constant chatter in their minds, to focus on the present moment, and to bring a sense of peace to their practice. However, I must admit that when I am not on the mat I also have moments of that constant chatter running through my mind. Many of the thoughts are repetitious and seem to center around the general themes of fear, doubt, judgment, and defensiveness. I believe that prior to finding compassion for others, it is necessary to find compassion for ourselves. Through self examination and honest interpretation of our defensive nature, we may uncover feelings of uncertainty and judgment toward our own being. Identifying these feelings, understanding that they motivate us at times, and learning how to recognize when we are being influenced by our own insecurities will allow us the opportunity to forgive our own inadequacies. It is necessary for us to recognize our own suffering and find ways to relieve it. Only then, I believe, are we able to give ourselves completely to others to help relieve their suffering.
As we contemplate our struggles as a society, I propose that we each take some time to get to know ourselves a little bit better. Taking a few moments out of each day to be present physically, emotionally, spiritually and to reflect on our own well-being. By nurturing our spirits through an enjoyable book, a hot bath, a walk, quiet meditation, or even hugging a family member or friend out of the blue we may begin to feel nourished and relieved. As we fill our own emotional reservoir and find a sense of peace or balance individually, maybe then we can recognize the pain and suffering of others and have the courage to intervene and offer meaningful assistance.
Gina
Collins-English Dictionary HarperCollins Publisher 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
The recent violence in Tuscon, Arizona and Omaha, Nebraska and certainly world wide has brought about increasing conversation. Many people wonder what can drive an individual to such lengths. I heard an interesting conversation on the radio yesterday discussing just this topic. Karen Armstrong, the author of "Twelve Steps To A Compassionate Life" was interviewed and discussed her exploration of compassion through the ages. She raises some interesting points in her conversation with Neil Conan and I have attached a link to that conversation on this blog.
http://www.npr.org/2011/01/10/132809627/concrete-ways-to-live-a-compassionate-life
While listening to the radio, I contemplated my own challenges with compassion. In Yoga classes, I teach others how to let go of the constant chatter in their minds, to focus on the present moment, and to bring a sense of peace to their practice. However, I must admit that when I am not on the mat I also have moments of that constant chatter running through my mind. Many of the thoughts are repetitious and seem to center around the general themes of fear, doubt, judgment, and defensiveness. I believe that prior to finding compassion for others, it is necessary to find compassion for ourselves. Through self examination and honest interpretation of our defensive nature, we may uncover feelings of uncertainty and judgment toward our own being. Identifying these feelings, understanding that they motivate us at times, and learning how to recognize when we are being influenced by our own insecurities will allow us the opportunity to forgive our own inadequacies. It is necessary for us to recognize our own suffering and find ways to relieve it. Only then, I believe, are we able to give ourselves completely to others to help relieve their suffering.
As we contemplate our struggles as a society, I propose that we each take some time to get to know ourselves a little bit better. Taking a few moments out of each day to be present physically, emotionally, spiritually and to reflect on our own well-being. By nurturing our spirits through an enjoyable book, a hot bath, a walk, quiet meditation, or even hugging a family member or friend out of the blue we may begin to feel nourished and relieved. As we fill our own emotional reservoir and find a sense of peace or balance individually, maybe then we can recognize the pain and suffering of others and have the courage to intervene and offer meaningful assistance.
Gina
Sunday, January 9, 2011
AtroGene TeleMedicine Consultations
My interest in starting a Holistic Nursing Care business led me to investigate Integrative and Holistic Care across the country. Somehow, I ran across Dr. JP Saleeby's name and emailed him some questions regarding how his services are received. He was kind enough to respond to me and let me know about his TeleMedicine company. He is a nutritionally minded physician in South Carolina who combines allopathic (Western) medicine with well-tested complementary methods such as Ayerveda, Acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I perused through his website and found the articles he has written to be very interesting. Although it is truly my goal to create more of an integrative/holistic community locally, I am including a link to his website for everyone to have the opportunity to not only read his works but also to see how the rest of the country is embracing alternative means of care.
http://www.carolinamobilemd.com/Articles-by-our-Med--Director.html
Also included is an interesting link to a news article about Dr Saleeby and his wife and how they determined to change the way he practices medicine - taking his care to the patient rather than waiting for the patient to access care in a clinic/hospital/emergency setting. His return to the "black bag" form of personal attention and individualized medical care is a reminder to health care practitioners across the country of the need to connect with our patients. Primary focused care in the prevention of disease and the promotion of a wellness focused lifestyle will ultimately improve not only the lives of the patients we care for but our own lives as care providers as well.
Gina
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/nov/26/local-doctor-pays-house-calls-with-mobile-medical/
http://www.carolinamobilemd.com/Articles-by-our-Med--Director.html
Also included is an interesting link to a news article about Dr Saleeby and his wife and how they determined to change the way he practices medicine - taking his care to the patient rather than waiting for the patient to access care in a clinic/hospital/emergency setting. His return to the "black bag" form of personal attention and individualized medical care is a reminder to health care practitioners across the country of the need to connect with our patients. Primary focused care in the prevention of disease and the promotion of a wellness focused lifestyle will ultimately improve not only the lives of the patients we care for but our own lives as care providers as well.
Gina
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/nov/26/local-doctor-pays-house-calls-with-mobile-medical/
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Yoga in Sioux Falls
The new year is upon us! With renewed interest in reconnecting with our healthier selves, we may be searching for new venues to bring peace, balance, and wellness in to our lives. Many people have never thought about Yoga as being a realistic practice to incorporate in to their lives. However, there is a saying among those of us who practice Yoga which states "Yoga is for Every Body," suggesting that Yoga can be for each individual to make in to their own unique practice.
Yoga Day USA is a great opportunity to explore Yoga here in Sioux Falls. January 22 there will be free classes offered at the downtown library to everyone in the community - a free will donation to the Food Bank is accepted. Check out information at:
http://www.thedharmaroom.com/Yoga%20Day%202011%20POSTER.pdf
New classes have started at Pascoe Chiropractic - check out the Yoga Schedule tab on this site.
You will be accepted with open arms and small/intimate classes at EastBank Yoga. Follow this link to see the schedule.
http://www.eastbankyoga.com/
Break out of your old routines and come try a new approach to whole body health and wellness !!
Gina
Yoga Day USA is a great opportunity to explore Yoga here in Sioux Falls. January 22 there will be free classes offered at the downtown library to everyone in the community - a free will donation to the Food Bank is accepted. Check out information at:
http://www.thedharmaroom.com/Yoga%20Day%202011%20POSTER.pdf
New classes have started at Pascoe Chiropractic - check out the Yoga Schedule tab on this site.
You will be accepted with open arms and small/intimate classes at EastBank Yoga. Follow this link to see the schedule.
http://www.eastbankyoga.com/
Break out of your old routines and come try a new approach to whole body health and wellness !!
Gina
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Health Basket
I had the pleasure today of spending time with Tim at the Health Basket in Village Square on 26th Street. His mother Darlene has been providing Holistic Counseling to people for 30 years in the Sioux Falls area. Tim seemed pretty well versed in his knowledge of the products on the shelves as he helped me select a multivitamin supplement. He informed me of the stringent guidelines he and his mother follow when selecting products for their store. Rest assured he will guide you to supplements that rely on whole foods rather than synthetic products. He prefers products that also utilize organic ingredients to provide you with the most beneficial supplements available.
In our efforts to bring you the most comprehensive care possible and invite you to join our wellness-focused community, Tim has offered a 10%discount to all customers who are referred by Sioux Falls Holistic Nurse, LLC!
So, hop on down to the Health Basket and meet Darlene and Tim.
Here's a link to their place page.
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=health+basket,+sioux+falls&fb=1&gl=us&hq=health+basket,&hnear=Sioux+Falls,+SD&cid=5301387588271838229
Happy, healthy shopping!
Gina
In our efforts to bring you the most comprehensive care possible and invite you to join our wellness-focused community, Tim has offered a 10%discount to all customers who are referred by Sioux Falls Holistic Nurse, LLC!
So, hop on down to the Health Basket and meet Darlene and Tim.
Here's a link to their place page.
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=health+basket,+sioux+falls&fb=1&gl=us&hq=health+basket,&hnear=Sioux+Falls,+SD&cid=5301387588271838229
Happy, healthy shopping!
Gina
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year
The new year is upon us once again. Many of us choose resolutions to make healthier choices in the coming months. A common decision people tend to make is to completely cut out a food/eating habit that they tend to turn to frequently but that is ultimately harmful in some way. The motivation for such a decision is often in the right place - to be healthier - however, this kind of sudden "cold turkey" approach often ends in failure.
As we think about how we want to approach 2011, it is helpful to set up a plan for success in healthy habits. Rather than simply removing a food/eating habit it is helpful to first examine what about our lives is triggering the need to turn toward these habits. Next, we may want to find alternative strategies to put in to place throughout the day when we realize we need some help.
We may want to take the time to do some planning for the next day before we turn in to bed at night. For example, lunch tends to be difficult to manage for many working people. Rather than joining in with co-workers on a daily basis ordering lunch out, try packing a lunch and snacks the day before to bring to work. If it feels like this is being too stingy or controlling, than choose one day a week to order out - like Monday or Friday. Then, when making choices for food to bring to work, try to stay away from processed/packaged foods. Some fun things I like to bring to work (and which my co-workers invariably tend to eat, so I have to pack more) include:
baby carrots (sometimes with natural peanut butter for a dip)
homemade mixture of real Ghiredelli Chocolate Chips, raw almonds, raisens
dry Frosted Shredded Mini-Wheats (sometimes in with the mixture above)
sandwich with whole wheat bread, peanut butter and local honey
fresh fruit (apples, pineapples, oranges, bananas, berries, melons)
baked potato with broccoli and cheese (easily microwavable)
whole wheat wrap with re-fried beans, cheese, salsa, avocado
leftover homemade chicken soup with pasta (like elbows) and escarole
whole wheat bagel sandwich (peanut butter, cheese/tomato/lettuce, etc)
Once a person gets the hang of packing up a lunch, it becomes very easy to grow creative and have fun with the choices made. Another benefit, is that food is readily available when hunger strikes - no need to order, wait and pay for it. Plus, bringing healthy snacks to munch on every few hours keeps
blood sugars steady throughout the day, therefore people are less likely to overeat at mealtime, their energy levels tend to stay steady, and the ability to concentrate and remain focused should be consistent during the workday.
Another important point to remember is to pay attention to what beverages are being consumed. Here is link that can explain to you the effect of soda on the body.
http://blisstree.com/feel/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-drink-a-coke-right-now/
Try bringing home brewed iced tea (sweetened with honey if needed) or just plain old water with a slice of lemon for flavor. Stay away from sugarless drink mixes. Avoid buying bottled water - all that plastic packaging is harmful to the body and the environment. Invest in a stainless steel water bottle or thermos.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!
Gina
As we think about how we want to approach 2011, it is helpful to set up a plan for success in healthy habits. Rather than simply removing a food/eating habit it is helpful to first examine what about our lives is triggering the need to turn toward these habits. Next, we may want to find alternative strategies to put in to place throughout the day when we realize we need some help.
We may want to take the time to do some planning for the next day before we turn in to bed at night. For example, lunch tends to be difficult to manage for many working people. Rather than joining in with co-workers on a daily basis ordering lunch out, try packing a lunch and snacks the day before to bring to work. If it feels like this is being too stingy or controlling, than choose one day a week to order out - like Monday or Friday. Then, when making choices for food to bring to work, try to stay away from processed/packaged foods. Some fun things I like to bring to work (and which my co-workers invariably tend to eat, so I have to pack more) include:
baby carrots (sometimes with natural peanut butter for a dip)
homemade mixture of real Ghiredelli Chocolate Chips, raw almonds, raisens
dry Frosted Shredded Mini-Wheats (sometimes in with the mixture above)
sandwich with whole wheat bread, peanut butter and local honey
fresh fruit (apples, pineapples, oranges, bananas, berries, melons)
baked potato with broccoli and cheese (easily microwavable)
whole wheat wrap with re-fried beans, cheese, salsa, avocado
leftover homemade chicken soup with pasta (like elbows) and escarole
whole wheat bagel sandwich (peanut butter, cheese/tomato/lettuce, etc)
Once a person gets the hang of packing up a lunch, it becomes very easy to grow creative and have fun with the choices made. Another benefit, is that food is readily available when hunger strikes - no need to order, wait and pay for it. Plus, bringing healthy snacks to munch on every few hours keeps
blood sugars steady throughout the day, therefore people are less likely to overeat at mealtime, their energy levels tend to stay steady, and the ability to concentrate and remain focused should be consistent during the workday.
Another important point to remember is to pay attention to what beverages are being consumed. Here is link that can explain to you the effect of soda on the body.
http://blisstree.com/feel/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-drink-a-coke-right-now/
Try bringing home brewed iced tea (sweetened with honey if needed) or just plain old water with a slice of lemon for flavor. Stay away from sugarless drink mixes. Avoid buying bottled water - all that plastic packaging is harmful to the body and the environment. Invest in a stainless steel water bottle or thermos.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!
Gina
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Yoga Day USA
Saturday, January 23rd is Yoga Day USA, an annual event hosted in cities across the country. Registered Yoga Teachers will offer free or very low cost classes to the public in an effort to introduce people to the many health benefits Yoga has to offer. Yoga Instructors from many studios in Sioux Falls are coming together to bring this event to you at the downtown public library from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. The event is free to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Participants are welcome to come for one class or to stay the whole day!
Informational fliers are being developed and will soon be posted around the city and online - so keep your eyes open and set aside some time on January 23rd to come check it out!!!
Hope to see many new faces there!
Gina
Informational fliers are being developed and will soon be posted around the city and online - so keep your eyes open and set aside some time on January 23rd to come check it out!!!
Hope to see many new faces there!
Gina
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