Category: Health And Wellness - On Fire and Over 50

On Fire and Over 50

Health and Wellness: It's Your Choice! Old? Or Older?

6/26/2020

Old vs Older - that's a play on words, but there is a difference.
Let me tell why I choose older, rather than old.

Everyone is growing older, but not everyone grows old. From the moment you are born you are growing older everyday. After you pass certain milestones in your life you either gain skills, privileges and health or you lose skills, privileges, and good health.

For example, at age 11 to 13, you reach puberty and gain certain privileges as well as unique changes to your body. At the age of 16, you are eligible to drive a motorized vehicle. When you turn 18, you can join the military and vote, you can also marry (if you choose) with no one's approval. At 21, you are considered an adult and all that goes with adulthood.

When you turn certain ages after age 21, a lot depends on your health and what you have done to take care of your body. Youth is forgiving, adulthood not so much. However, once you cross over into your 50's it is vital that if you have not taken care of your body (and mind) that you do so now and don't stop.

It can make the difference in living a full active life of independence until your nineties or spending your remaining years bent over, taking medications, and possibly living in a facility that provides everyday care for you. Which one do you want?

A few days ago I found this meme.
(Yes, whoever created this meme used the word "woman" instead of "women", but you still get the idea.)

The lady on the left is "older", the lady on the right is "old".

This meme represents your options. This applies to men as well.
If you don't take care of yourself with a healthy diet, daily exercise, and mental challenges, you will end up like the lady on the right. She is frail, slumped over, and requires a walker. Most likely she is not as happy as she could be.

If you do take care of your mind and body, you could end up like the lady on the left. Strong, straight, walking and maybe jogging, and able to think clearly.

(The lady on the left is Ernestine Shepherd. She didn't start bodybuilding until she was 56 years old! She started because she was trying to encourage her sister who had developed health issues. After her sister passed away, she kept bodybuilding and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, became the oldest living body building competitor in the world.)

The lesson I continually drive home in my blogs is that in order to remain independent in old age, you MUST take care of your body and mind. Staying active by walking everyday is a minimum!

So, when it comes to being old or older, I choose older. Everyone gets older.... I refuse to get old.

It's your choice! What will you choose? OLD or OLDER?

XOXO

Health and Wellness: Bowling is Healthy - No matter what your age or Handicaps!

3/13/2020

There are so many ways to stay active, even if you are over 50, and even if you have never done something before - like bowling.

Bowling involves all your body. Every muscle, tendon, ligament and even your brain is involved in this activity. I have bowled my whole life. I stopped briefly for a few years, then I went back to it.

While I don't bowl on weekly leagues or compete in tournaments anymore, I still bowl. At some point I would love to bowl on a weekly league and perhaps compete again, but we will see.

In case you were wondering...(I know you were), here are a few facts about bowling:

- Bowling burns about 100 calories per hour

- Bowling builds muscle: 134 muscles exhausted in a 4 Step Approach

- Bowling is a weight bearing sport that helps build strong bones

- Bowling helps to sustain Hand and Eye Coordination

- Bowling just 3 games equals 1 mile of walking

- Bowling can promote family and friend bonding as it is fun for all ages

- Bowling is done by handicapped individuals and the elderly as well as children (wheelchair accessible, lane bumpers are available, ball ramps are available, and other aids depending on the bowlers needs.)

- According the Experian Simmons report of 2012: 20 plus million Americans age 17 and under bowl each year and 47 states in the U.S. have established high school bowling programs.

As you can see, there is more to bowling than just throwing a ball down a wooden alley at some wooden pins. Bowling is good not only for your health, but for your social life as well. It's a great place to meet people, especially if you join a league. League bowlers get to know each other and friendships develop.

The other nice thing about bowling is that it is not dependent on the weather. It can be 100 degrees outside or snow on the ground and you can still bowl. It can also be anytime of the day and even into the evening. A lot of bowling alleys have Friday and Saturday night specials and stay open later.

If you are over 50 and have a hard time meeting new people, try bowling. If you are over 50 and you need exercise, but the gym is not for you, try bowling. If you are over 50 and physically challenged, give bowling a chance. It's a great sport that almost anyone can do.

Do you bowl? Have you ever bowled? Would you consider giving bowling a try now that you see all the benefits? If you have an interesting story about bowling or tips or anything about this great sport, please make a comment below. Share!

XOXO

Health and Wellness: Essentials Oils - Protect Your Pets!

2/28/2020

If you have a pet and use essential oils, you need to read this article. It's a matter of life and death, for your pet. I love essential oils not only because they smell wonderful, but because they offer some health benefits.

If it is cold season I like to use Thieves essential oil in my diffuser. Thieves is good for killing air borne viruses. I use lavender or chamomile at night when I am having a hard time either falling asleep or staying asleep. When I am working I use Orange or a blend of citrus to help me focus and energetic.

The problem with Orange or any citrus oil is that it is toxic to my dog. Inhalation poisoning takes a little longer to kill your pet, but it will eventually cause lung and respiratory problems that can lead to death.

The information I am providing is from research I have done through various websites and books. I also spoke to my veterinarian and she really wasn't sure about the use of essential oils and pets.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor of any sort, the information I provide here is strictly from personal research. You can also do your own research and do what is best for your pet. Please, do research this, it would horrible if your pet became ill or died due to the use of essential oils.

Essential oils are wonderful, but please use with caution around pets.

Do you use essential oils in diffusers, on skin, or ingest? Do you have pets? Were you aware of the dangers to your pets with the use of essential oils? Share your thoughts on the benefits, uses, and your favorite oils.

XOXO

HEALTH and wellness: Essential Oils - Fact Sheet 2

2/21/2020

Essential oils are quite popular nowadays. They have been found to offer some health benefits, but there some things to know. Last month's blog explained what essential oils are and what they do. This week I want to give you some examples of major essential oils and what they can be used for. I picked up this fact sheet at the Novant Integrative Medicine Symposium in October, 2019. It is an excellent sheet explaining a lot of the more common and used oils.

The important points to keep in mind are:

1. Some oils are for topical use only. This means they can not be swallowed, drank, or taken internally. They are specifically for use as massage oils, foot/hand/body soaks, room diffusers, etc. NEVER take these by mouth or any other method of internal application.

2. Oils are to be used as prescribed. If you have oils that are approved for internal use, be sure not to over dose or use in any way other than what is recommended by an expert on essential oils. Read ALL instructions and warnings on labels BEFORE you use them internally.

3. Research and data are NOT widely available (yet) about the safety or efficacy of the oils. While is widely accepted that they are safe, when used as intended (internal vs external oils), time will tell if they are indeed safe.

4. Some oils may cause allergies to flare, but most of the time the oils actually help allergies. Be your own judge as to whether you should be using certain oils.

5. When in doubt, seek a knowledgeable opinion from those who sell oils or a pharmacist/doctor.

I use essential oils for various reasons. In my air diffusers I use Lavender, sweet orange, and chamomile for good sleep, Eucalyptus for congestion and allergies, Lemon, Clary Sage, Bergamot, and Jasmine for depression and sadness; Peppermint for nausea.

Some oils are toxic to pets (ingesting or inhaling). I will be publishing a whole blog on this topic in the next week or two. Look for it, I will cover the toxic oils and the symptoms of toxic poisoning in pets. Stay tuned........ (it's too much to try to cover in this blog.)

Essential oils can be great if they are used correctly. Do your research. Experiment with different oils, but one at a time until you know if they are irritating or good for you.

Do you use Essential Oils? What oils do you use? Do you see a benefit in all oils or certain ones? Which ones are beneficial to you? Have you had any negative experiences with essential oils?

XOXO

Health and Wellness: Essential Oils – Part 1

2/7/2020

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated liquids (hydrophobic liquids) that contain aroma compounds from plants. They are also known by other names such as: volatile oils, etheral oils, aetherolea or oil of the plant. (Courtesy: Wikipedia)

These oils are referred to as "essential". However, don't confuse this term as meaning "indispensable" as in essential fatty acids and other needed nutrients. In this case, "essential" refers to the "essence of" the plant's fragrance. This "essence" is the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which the oil is derived. (Courtesy: Wikipedia)

The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition:
any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy.

Dictionary.com definition:
any of a class of volatile oils obtained from plants, possessing the odor and other characteristic properties of the plant, used chiefly in the manufacture of perfumes, flavors, and pharmaceuticals.

Essential oil: An oil derived from a natural substance, usually either for its healing properties or as a perfume. Some pharmaceuticals, and many over-the-counter or 'holistic' remedies, are based on or contain essential oils.

For example, products containing camphor or eucalyptus essential oils can help relieve congestive coughs, and many essential oils are used in the practice of aromatherapy.

Essential Oil University definition:
the term "essential oil" actually goes back to the days of the Alchemists in the Middle Ages. Alchemists searching for the "elixir of life" and "the philosophers stone" made many chemical discoveries. In the Hippocratic system of medicine it was said that the four temperaments, nervous (hyper), sanguine (cheerful), lymphatic (slothful), and bilious (grouchy) correspond to the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water and that disease is due to an imbalance of these elements. (http://bit.ly/2fo3bhF)

How do they work?
Aromatherapy is the most common use for essential oils. Aroma mean scent and therapy means treatment. When we inhale a particular fragrance that we find enjoyable, such as a kitchen spice or a flower, we feel good. It can lift our spirits and make us feel happier. It can also invoke hunger, calmness or easier breathing.

While some claimed benefits have not been evaluated, the effect of a scent on our mind and body is clearly evidence of the power of smell.

Essential oils can also be applied directly to the body through the skin.
Usually applied with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. The safety of applying essential oils directly to the skin with out a carrier oil is debatable. Therefore I choose not to apply directly to my skin. (Some massage therapists use essential oils in their massage practices. Check with them on the safety and possible side effects before using essential oils in this way.)

There is a grey line as to whether essential oils can be ingested.
While some take essential oils regularly internally, the safety of of digesting essential oils internally has not been determined. Personally, I choose not to ingest them. I would rather be on the side of safe caution than to risk internal damage that I may experience years from now. More research is needed in this area.

What is the "hype" about essential oils?
Essential oils have some definite benefits and more is being learned about their effect on our minds and bodies everyday. Everyone is looking for a natural method to treat ailments such as joint pain, depression, insomnia, skin problems, and many more.

Essential oils have benefits to them for these ailments and many more, but you have to use them properly. If not used properly, they can cause harm. As with all "natural" methods of health treatments, do your research. Don't believe all the hype that is out there.

What are the "facts" about essential oils?
The facts are this. Aromatherapy is fairly safe. We breathe spice and air fresheners all the time, there is no reason to believe that inhaling essential oils is harmful, if done properly. Other uses such as applying directly to the skin or ingesting needs more research and should be researched thoroughly before doing. There is not a lot of proven testing or facts on the use of essential oils.

How to determine good quality oils from cheaper oils?
There are no current standards or governing testing done to determine the quality of essential oils. This doesn't mean they are not safe, it just means that their safety has not been researched. Of course, the quality of the oils will impact their effectiveness; however, there's no method to determine quality level as of yet.

Conclusion: Are essential oils beneficial or a waste of money?
We have proof that certain smells can affect us either in a negative manner or in a positive manner. When we smell a yummy dinner cooking in the kitchen, we are affected emotionally and physically; emotionally, childhood memories may be aroused by certain food smells, and physically, we become hungry. It is also known that if we smell rotten food, we are turned off by it and it ruins our appetite. Aromas affect us, this is a fact.

Whether essential oils do more for us than just smell good or bad, is debatable. No solid research has been gathered to proof any benefits. However, when we smell something good, we usually feel better.

Using a diffuser can create a warm and pleasant scent throughout our home. Other than that, we need more research.

Personally, I would rather use a diffuser and essential oils than to spray a room deodorizer or air freshener in my house where I will inhale more than just aromas. There are many chemical compounds in those items that are not in essential oils, so I choose to avoid them.

Have you ever used essential oils? How do you use them? Have you experienced positive effects that you would like to share with the rest of us? How do you determine the quality of your essential oils? Please share your experiences.

XOXO

Health and Wellness: Part 4 - Integrative Medicine, Cannabis, and CBD Oil - What's UP?

11/29/2019

Over the last few years there has been a lot of discussion about the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes, CBD oil, and their part in Integrative Medicine.

While it appears that cannabis and CBD oil have positive outcomes for most ailments, there are other considerations. Those other considerations are the reason for the slow progress in the legalization or non legalization of these substances.

As with alcohol, the legalization meant that there needed to be new laws in regard to drinking and driving. There had to be an enforceable age limit to purchase. There had to be rules put in place to protect the person drinking and also the public.

Cannabis is a botanical that offers a lot of therapeutic potential. Due to the nature of cannabis, it has not been accepted widely as a medicine. Cannabis is basically one of two kinds - hemp and marijuana. The latter has a high Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level and thus makes the consumer "high", similar to alcohol and other mind altering medications.

The psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, was approved for the treatment of chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting in 1986. It has also been found to help with sleep, mood, and anxiety.

There is no published human trial data for it's use in tumor/cancer treatment. However, there is data on it's effectiveness for tumor/cancer treatment on rodents that shows promise.

The future of cannabis as a tumor/cancer treatment may be just around the corner. In the meantime, it still remains the most effective treatment of cancer treatments and symptoms of treatments.

Cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) is a whole other thing. Most pure CDB oils contain little to no THC. Without the THC it does not produce any psychoactive symptoms. This is why it is approved for use without a prescription or legal requirements. You can purchase CBD/Hemp oil over the counter almost anywhere and everywhere. However, the purity of this oil can vary greatly depending on how it was produced, so going to reputable dealer is the safest choice when purchasing.

Some of the reported benefits of CBD/Hemp oil are: relief from pain (most types, while some are resistant), nausea, seizures, anxiety, sleeping issues, and a host of other ailments.

I have family members and friends who use CBD/Hemp oils and all of them have told me that it changed their lives. A few have lived with certain pains (hip, shoulder, knee, etc.) for years and no longer feel any pain. A few have had difficulty falling and staying asleep and now sleep soundly.

The positive effects of CBD/Hemp oil are numerous and no one reports of any negative side effects.

Does this mean it works for everyone? No.

Hemp Oil is described as cannabis with a very low THC content (0.3% or less according to the recently passed 2018 Farm Bill). It is considered an industrial resource that is used for paper, clothing, biofuel, and consumable oils.

CBD/Hemp oil has been found to be safe for normal use, but the long term effects are not known. Time will reveal if this "miracle" in a bottle has any negative long term effects. As of this writing, it looks as though there are no negative side effects to be found.

CBD oil is mixed with a "carrier" oil that dilutes the horrible flavor of the hemp to make it easier to take. If you use straight Hemp oil, you will find that it tastes really bad. When mixed with a carrier oil, you take it by a dropper full (either a full or a portion of the dropper), if you take the pure Hemp, you take it by a single drop at a time.

Pure Hemp is potent and you don't want to take more than you need.

The expense is the biggest hurdle to vast majority of the population using it. For example, good CBD oil (not the questionable stuff found in gas stations for $20 a bottle) can run $60 to over $500 a bottle.

A bottle of CBD oil can usually last from 6 weeks to 90 days. A bottle of pure Hemp can cost about the same, but it lasts 3 to 4 times as long.

Most people find it hard to afford good CBD oil or pure Hemp. Hopefully, over time and with increased competition, the cost will come down without affecting the quality.

Difference between
Hemp oil and CBD oil:

"CBD oil is made using either hemp or cannabis.
The difference is hemp is bred to be highly fibrous for industrial use and
contain minimal THC to comply with law,
whereas cannabis is bred for its diverse cannabinoid content."

Reference: www.cannabis.info/en/blog/difference-cbd-oil-cannabis-oil

The true value of cannabis, CBD, or Hemp is still to be determined. If you ask people who use these substances, most will say “yes, it helps me”, however, a few will say “No, it didn't do anything for me.” Time will prove the value and uses for these once taboo alternative medicines and their effectiveness.

Given that the long term effects of CBD oil are not yet known, would you be willing to try it? Do you use CBD oil for anything now? If you were diagnosed with cancer or another serious disease would you be willing to give CBD oil an chance to help with the side effects of your other treatments? What do you think of all the hype surrounding what CBD oil can or can't do? Please share your thoughts on this “wonder” drug?

XOXO

Health and Wellness: Part 3: The Case for Better Healing with Integrative Medicine

11/15/2019

A brochure from Novant Health says this about Integrative Medicine:

"Integrative medicine
is healing-oriented medicine
that considers the whole person
- body, mind and spirit,
along with family, community and environment."

Many physicians are now in agreement that it takes more than one type of care to heal a person. The majority of physicians believe in treating the whole person. They are finding that it leads to more cures, more lives saved, less cost, easier recovery times, and more.

A doctor treats a cancer patient with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Hopefully, the cancer is killed and the patient heals to return to normal life. What actually happens a lot of the times is the medicine to treat the cancer (chemotherapy and radiation) create a whole new set of symptoms and problems.

Chemo can and most of the times does, make the patient sick. They lose their appetite and when they do eat, they may not hold it down very long. Even if they manage to keep food down long enough to digest it, they may not get the nutrients they need from it.

Nausea is also a big side effect of chemotherapy. Chemo can make sleeping restless and yet, the patient is extremely fatigued.

Chemo alone or radiation alone only treats one aspect of the cancer. If you provide additional treatments that are effective, non-invasive, non-toxic, and healthy, the body can heal itself (if not completely, at least improve quality of life.

Here are a few "alternative" treatments that can make the patient happier, healthier, and give the body what it needs to heal itself:

1. A healthy diet. One diet does not fit all. All cancers feed on sugar, so eliminating processed sugar is the first step. Some cancers feed on fat, you need to find out if this is the case and if it is, then eat more vegetables and proteins - go easy on the fats. Some are just the opposite and feed on carbohydrates. In this case eating less vegetables, more proteins , and more healthy fats. If you have doctors advice.

2. Movement: Either as personal exercise or as physical therapy. This could include movement as stretching for 30 minutes, yoga, Tai Chi, walking, or any other low impact movement that gets you moving. It can include a physical therapist and professional trainers or coaches.

You can also do your own exercise program with elipticals, treadmills, weights, cardio dance/Zumba classes, and other activities. Just as long as you move. If you have cancer or an illness the doctor may recommend certain activities for you, you should follow your doctor's advice.

3. Herbs: Ask your doctor before trying any herbal treatments about the interaction with your prescribed medications. For example: if you take blood thinners then you probably want to stay away from turmeric (which can also thin the blood).

Herbs are natural, but they can also be toxic if you combine with other herbs or with medications. Some are harmless and you can take without any interactions. Always check with your doctor first if you are on medications. ALWAYS.

4. Body Work: This includes:
all types of massages,
hot stones,
cupping,
acupuncture and acupressure,
Homeopathic,
Naturopathic,
Ayurvedic,
Chiropractic,
Osteopathic,
Hydrotherapy,
Reflexology,
and other other body therapies found in Chinese and Oriental medicines.

5. Supplements: Dietary supplements such as vitamins, mega vitamins, minerals, etc. Sometimes Again, you should consult your doctor if you are taking medicines and other treatments before adding to your diet. Usually, they are safe, but occasionally certain vitamins and minerals can interact with medicines and herbs.

6. External energies such as:
Electromagnetic therapy,
Reiki (transfer of energy from practitioner to patient through the laying on of hands),
Oigong (Chinese system of physical exercises and breathing control related to Tai Chi, but more intense).

7. Mind: Studies have found that patients with good emotional and mental health heal better. There are therapies aimed at improving these elements. Here are a few:
Meditation
Biofeedback
Hypnosis

8. Senses: Therapies that incorporate the senses include:
Art
Dance
Music
Visualization
Guided Imagery
Aromatherapy

As you can see, there are many alternative medicine choices. The combination is the key to healing and applying with traditional/modern medicines and treatments. As you will see in the following photo, combining traditional/modern medicine with alternative medicine can greatly improve the patients chances for a complete healing.

In the photo below, this patient had rectal cancer.

The photo on the left is after months of radiation without any additional treatments.

The photo on the right is the same patient with rectal cancer after a few months of radiation and a diet change. The diet change alone, gave the body the boost it needed so that the radiation could do it's job. As you can see, it's amazing!

Sometimes, all it takes is a small tweak that provides our bodies with what it needs to heal itself, the way God made it.

A word of advice (from a novice writer only and with no medical education):

ALWAYS consider every option available to you when you are faced with an illness or disease. If your doctor refuses to consider other options, get a second opinion. NEVER take the first options with out investigating you. other choices.
Always consult your doctor before adding or taking away any treatments or medicines.
ALWAYS!

I hope you found this article helpful. I hope that it makes a difference in your life now or in the future. In future blogs, I will go into a deeper study on some of these alternative therapies and how they help us heal ourselves.

Have you ever used Alternative Medicine (or Complimentary Medicine) in conjunction with traditional/modern medicine? Would you consider alternative medicines in the future? What are your thoughts on Integrative medicine?

XOXO

Health and Wellness: What is Integrative Medicine, Alternative Medicine, and Modern Medicine? - Part 2

11/8/2019

To understand Integrative Medicine, you need to know what is "integrated". It's more than what "mom" or "grandma" used to do when we became sick as children, much more. The big push today in Integrative Medicine is the legalization of medicinal marijuana. That interest has helped to open the door for more alternatives.

Alternative medicine is exactly what it sounds like. It is a medicine or treatment that is an alternative choice to modern medicines, treatments, or surgeries.

Notice I did not mention Alternative surgeries. Alternative medicine is medicine and treatments that are non-invasive, more natural to our bodies (and minds), and treat the whole body, mind, and soul.

Alternative medicine attempts to deal with causes and responses rather than to treating symptoms and never knowing the cause.

Alternative medicine comes from taking the best treatments from a number of sources. It may include Chinese, Egyptian, Native American treatments or any number of other sources. (We will explore those treatments in a later blog post.)

Sometimes, alternative treatments are the only thing someone needs to get better.

Modern medicine is more of treating the symptom. In fact, it has been said that"symptoms make money, curing loses money". Does that mean that modern medicine doesn't want to cure anyone? Do it mean modern medicine wants to keep you on your pills, injections, treatments, etc., so that they can continue to make money? Maybe. Yes, maybe.

However, let's be honest here. Sometimes a pill is all it takes to manage an illness that can't be managed any other way.

Sometimes, that surgery is the only choice in saving a life or managing an illness. So, let's don't throw modern medicine out the window, but rather put it in its place.

Integrative medicine takes the "best" from both worlds and puts them together to heal. When modern medicine and alternative medicine meet and compromise, everybody wins. The doctor wins because he is fulfilling his oath of "doing no harm" and "to heal".

The patient wins because they are treated with the least invasive treatment required and the outcome goal is to cure not just to manage symptoms.

There are cases when managing symptoms is the only achievable outcome, but the management of symptoms can be treatments from alternative medicine, modern medicine, or a combination of the two.

The important takeaway from this is:

You have choices with Integrative Medicine.

When choosing a path of treatment, you should be in control. Your doctor should present all options, not just the modern standard of treatment.

Your doctor should present all the pros and cons, as well as,. If you doctor doesn't offer this up front, ask them. Ask if there is a more non-invasive, less risky, safer treatment than the one suggested.

Also, do your homework. Seek a second opinion in big matters and at the very least do an online search for your illness and see what comes up (remember that not all information on the internet is accurate, but if you study it, you should be able to determine what is and what isn't accurate.)

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR...OPEN UP THE CONVERSATION
FOR ALTERNATIVE OR INTEGRATIVE TREATMENTS.

During the symposium, the one thing that kept coming back over and over again from almost every speaker (all speakers were licensed physicians and some with PHDs) was the connection with diet, lifestyle, health, and healing.

The overwhelming consensus among all medical practitioners was this:

If we don't give our body
the vitamins, nutrients, nourishment and rest it requires,
or we continue with unhealthy habits related to lifestyle
such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs,
it can not heal itself.

Our bodies are made to self heal.
If given the right nutrition, rest, and care,
it not only has a better chance of healing itself on its own,
but medicines and treatments will work better. This will
result in a better overall outcome.

If we are what we eat, then we can't each junk and expect medicine to work miracles. We need to give our bodies what it needs to provide it with a fighting chance to heal.

That means no sugar (sugar has been proven to feed cancer), no smoking, no food that converts to sugar such as bread, potatoes, bananas, etc.

It means getting enough sleep at night so that our bodies can repair and renew itself, lowering stress.

It means dumping our "bad" habits and creating "good" ones to replace them.

Now that we know what Integrative medicine is and what the common theme among doctors is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to make the necessary changes in your life to promote good health and healing, or are you going to continue in a self destructive lifestyle?

We have more power over illness than we sometimes realize. Not all cancers are receptive to diet, sleep, and lifestyle changes, but the majority respond in some type of positive way if not in a complete healing.

It never hurts to adopt a healthier lifestyle, it can only help.

Have you made any lifestyle changes due to an illness or injury? What did you change and did it make a difference? Does your doctor use alternative medicine or only modern medicine? What are your thoughts on alternative or integrative medicine based on diet and lifestyle changes?

XOXO

Health and Wellness: What I learned at the Novant Health Integrative Medicine Symposium - Part 1

11/1/2019

During the month of November, I will be blogging about all the things I learned from this symposium (and a little about the facilities, that were amazing and the food, equally amazing). It was full of new and coming alternative and integrative treatments for cancer. The cool thing is - these treatments also help a multitude of other ailments, such as weight, sleeplessness, depression, sexual issues, pain, and the list goes on. The studies are real and the results are amazing. Studies are on-going to continue to learn more.

At the root of the this symposium was a doctor that I started following in the late seventies.

Dr. Andrew Weil was the keynote speaker at this symposium which was the main reason I drove to downtown Charlotte. I wanted to hear him in person and ask him questions. He is a Harvard educated medical physician and has been promoting integrative medicine for over 40 years, long before it was accepted by the modern medical community.

Dr. Andrew Weil, MD

He believes, as I do, that it takes both modern medicine and alternative medicine to treat the whole person and not just the symptom. I will be showing you photos and slides that show this in real life during this month. The combination is saving lives.

Novant Health is a local medical health group that is leading the way in Integrative Health. I personally think it's about time. The medical community is finally accepting the fact that to effectively heal a person, you have to consider more than just pills, injections, and surgery. It takes nutrition, physical therapies, and counseling, among other things.

For the 40 years that Dr. Weil has been advocating integrating modern medicine and alternative medicine, 30 years of that 40 years he was considered an "out-there", "new age", and "radical" doctor.

Now 40 years later, he is considered an expert, leader, and pioneer. I knew this all along, even from the seventies. Why did it take the professional medical community so long to come to this realization? Because of the money involved in pills, injections, and surgeries. Treat the symptoms, not the cause. That has been the basis for "practicing" medicine for decades.

Dr. Weil is a Harvard graduate and a licensed medical physician. He has published several great books on aging, health, and living. If you want to read more about him, you can find information here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Weil
https://www.webmd.com/andrew-weil
https://www.drweil.com/

I hope that the information I share over the next few weeks will help you learn how to become an active partner in your health care. I hope that the information I share will open your eyes to new treatments and that you make more informed decisions when it comes to your health.

Please share your thoughts on Integrative Medicine. Share your thoughts on Dr. Weil or any other doctor you feel is a leader in this area of medicine. Share so that we may all be more informed about our health choices.

XOXO

Health and Wellness: Nutritional Yeast - What is it and what do you do with it?

10/11/2019

If you're a beer lover, you may be surprised by this food supplement. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast related to brewer's yeast.
Brewer's yeast is used as a fermentation agent in making beer.

I love nutritional yeast. It tastes good and it's good for you. If you are dieting, are a vegan or vegetarian, or you have a restricted diet due to allergies or health issue this is something you should consider adding to your diet.

This yeast has a great tasting cheesy taste that can be used in numerous foods (such as smoothies, flakes sprinkled on popcorn, add to oatmeal or cereals, add to salads as a topping, add to bone broth for a richer flavor, and to just about anything you want to
add it to).

This yeast is grown on a food source, many brands us molasses. Then it is harvested, heated, dried, and crumbled into flakes that can sprinkled on almost anything.

It must be protected from the light in order to retain it's high B vitamin content. When you purchase it, you can leave it in the package you purchased it in or if you want to put it into a storage container (such as when you purchase it in bulk), use a dark glass or ceramic container with a tight lid to keep moisture out. If you store it properly (dry and protected from light), it will keep for up to two years.

Here's the breakdown of all the wonderful nutrients in ONE Tablespoon of Nutritional Yeast:

B1 (Thiamine) 180% of Recommended Daily Value (RDA)
B2 (Riboflavin) 160% of RDA
B3 (Niacin) 70% of RDA
B6 (Pyridoxine) 140% of RDA
Folic Acid 40% of RDA
B12 40% of RDA
3 grams of Protein
1 gram of Fiber

B vitamins are essential to our immune and nervous systems. B vitamins assist our bodies in converting food into energy that we depend on every day. If you are a vegan or vegetarian there is no food source of B12.

Adding nutritional yeast to your vegan/vegetarian diet is the easiest way to get this much needed vitamin.

I will say it again.....I LOVE NUTRITIONAL YEAST!

I add it to my bone broth every day and it makes the broth richer in texture and taste. I have put it on popcorn and it is really good. Usually, if I make a salad at home, I will sprinkle a tablespoon over my salad... yummy. I have tried it on lots of dishes and foods, I haven't found anything that it doesn't enhance and taste good.

However, just because I love it, doesn't mean you will. I will say that no one that I have recommended this great additive to has come back and said they didn't like it. You may be the first! (LOL)

Please do not try to use brewer's yeast or active dry yeast in place of nutritional yeast...they are not the same and the taste alone will turn you off.

Some vegetable bouillon cubes and powders contain nutritional yeast, but I prefer the pure nutritional yeast flakes and then I put it on at least one food every day, usually in my bone broth. Adding it to hot bone broth is probably my favorite. Bone broth is full of collagen and who doesn't need more of that at our age? By adding nutritional yeast to the broth makes it an extremely nutritious beverage.

Give nutritional yeast a try and when you do, think of all the wonderful things you are doing for your body by adding it to good foods and drinks.

Have you ever eaten nutritional yeast? If so, what did you put it on? What is your experience with the taste and versatility of this additive? If you have never tried it, will you consider it now? Please comment and share your opinion with the
OFOF community.

XOXO