Sugar - is it making your kids fat?

If you're up for it, watch this fascinating - albeit long - video on the bitter truth about Sugar. If you want to know the REAL way to stop the obesity epidemic, hypertension and diabetes, check out this thorough explanation on why fructose (and if you read between the lines, also all sugar replacements) are POISON. 

Holistically Pregnant: What the World of Alternative Medicine has to Offer “Moms-To-Be”

 

Pregnancy, though well documented and medically “understood”, is still largely a subjective and unique experience. Ask one woman for her experience, and her face will light up as she breathily reports, eyes glazed with starry wonder, how mystical and wonderful the experience was. And yet her neighbor will pipe up, the memory still alive in her every inch of her battle-scarred loins, that labor was the most horrific and life-threatening ordeal she has ever experienced. Variance of personal experience aside, there are some concrete ways the holistic health can benefit your pregnancy.

Massage

Massage, whether from your partner or from a professional, has been found to lower stress hormones in pregnant mothers, and thereby positively affecting birth weights. Massage, specifically in the second trimester, was also found to reduce pain and swelling, reduce depression, and encourage sleep for the expectant mothers.  Beyond massage’s proven ability to help both mother and baby, it simply feels good and allows the opportunity for relaxation.

           

Some precautions and information for a wonderful pregnancy massage experience:

·         Elevate right hip 10-12cm when lying on your back to take weight off of major cardiovascular vessels (it is also typically comfortable to elevate knees as well)

·         Make sure the therapist has had additional training in prenatal massage

·         There should only be superficial, if any, massage of the stomach, unless under the supervision of your primary care practitioner

·         If pregnancy cushions are not available to provide for face-down massage, the practitioner should put you in a comfortable side-lying position, supported by cushions and pillows.

Acupuncture

Pregnancy, by its very nature, should be a joyous and life-affirming event. However, for some expectant mothers, the extreme hormone fluctuations, pre-existing conditions or other health concerns can lead to depression and depressive symptoms. Acupuncture has been found to significantly reduce the symptoms of depression in expectant mothers. Reducing depression symptoms in the mother not only makes for a more enjoyable pregnancy, but a healthier environment for a sensitive young baby. Depressed mothers have higher levels of cortisol and norepinephrine and lower levels of dopamine, and the babies’ hormone levels are correspondingly affected. These stress hormones are related to reduced neurological development in the baby, which may lead to learning problems, psychiatric issues and developmental delays as the child ages. Acupuncture helps reduce these hormones in both the mothers’, and consequently, the babies’ systems.

Herbology

As nature’s incubators, pregnant women have to realize that what they eat, to a large extent, “Junior” eats. Every mother wants to make the best possible choices for their offspring possible, but imagine if your diet were to be restricted to what you can keep down? Nausea and vomiting, commonly referred to as “morning sickness” (despite its frequent ubiquitous nature), is especially common in the first trimester of pregnancy. The use of herbs has been found to significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in clients without any unwanted side effects. Ginger has been found particularly helpful and is safe to take while pregnant. It can be easily administered as a tea to help curb nausea.

There are many modalities of alternative medicine that help promote a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child; these are but a few. An exploration into the world of holistic health, especially during such an important transitional time, is very rewarding, and well worth the efforts.

The blues are anything but colourful.

Van Gogh may have made it look beautiful, but depression is anything but. That feeling of despair, apathy, and lethargy weighs on your soul, and your shoulders, like a stone.

There are many theories on depression. One researcher once guessed that the problem could be a brain chemistry imbalance, but this has NEVER BEEN PROVEN. Even if you look on the labels of psycho-pharmaceuticals (drugs meant to change mood or mental state), they readily state the mechanism of action (how the drug affects your body) is "unknown". Yet drug prescriptions and psychiatry are now inextricably bound.

The problem is, these drugs have no proven efficacy  - raw data, even from studies commissioned by drug companies, almost always show a success rate no better than the Placebo Effect (i.e. Prozac is as effective as a sugar pill, or a tic tac, essentially, at relieving depression). Moreover, they have powerfully destructive side effects, including increased DEPRESSION and suicidal ideation! While the general population has a suicide rate that is less than your chance of being struck by lightening, those taking anti-depressants may be at a HIGHER risk. In the US army, for instance, there was a 76% increase in spending on psycho-pharmaceuticals from 2001-2009, and a corresponding 150% increase in the suicide rate.

One of the most interesting cases was the State of New York v. GlaxoSmithKline. By subpoenaing the raw data the drug manufacturer had manipulated to get FDA approval, the courts learned that, in the study where the manufacturer claimed that Paxil was safe and effective to use on kids, the kids on Paxil were actually
6x more likely to have suicidal thoughts. In addition, the raw data also showed that Paxil actually is no more effective at treating depression than placebo. 11 of the 93 kids in the study had serious side effects; 7 experienced such severe side effects they were hospitalized. Yet this information was omitted from the study submitted to the FDA for approval. The head psychiatrist who "authored" this study pocketed nearly $1 million dollars from various drug companies for lending his name to their marketing cause.

I say "marketing cause" because that is what the field of psychiatry has largely become - a drug marketing machine. They are using "suicide screenings" in schools on our kids now - 9/10 of the survey takers in one school were put on medications after this completely arbitrary and subjective checklist. There has even been the invention of new mental "diseases" that were actually created by drug companies (remember the ads about Social Anxiety Disorder that were everywhere a few years ago? That "diagnoses" was the brain child of a drug company, GlaxoSmithKline.) They have become so arrogant that they are actually just creating new diseases for us to be afraid of, and for them to profit from. And profit they do - the drug companies profit more than all of the other companies on Forbes 500 COMBINED! But I digress...

You have probably also seen in the news lately the possible connection of anti-depressants to cancer rates. The devastating array of problems these drugs cause long-term is only now beginning to be seen.

So, my point is this: drugs do not help depression generally, and where they do, the side effects and ensuing dependency negates any positive.

However, there is much evidence that underlying nutrition, digestive and hormonal imbalances, imbalances that can be actually objectively measured, are actually the root of depression. Emotional traumas are also involved, but these traumas are only masked by the taking of these dangerous and toxic drugs, not resolved.

If you want to resolve depression naturally, without the dangerous side effects and the total lack of effectiveness, we are happy to help. We have a package of services that WILL help to balance underlying physiological problems and help to relieve mental and emotional stress that are causing depression, WITHOUT the cancer, diabetes, or onset of suicidal thoughts. If you are interested, please email info@pranaholistic.ca for more information.

Awesome, Amazing Acupuncture & What It Can Do For You!

Over the past 3 weeks, one of my dear friends and favorite acupuncture practitioners (besides the beloved Adam Salzman) has been facilitating acupuncture/reiki combo sessions for me. At our first session, I expressed that I wanted to cleanse and strengthen my liver. I'd been having intuitive feelings that my liver was in need of support, as well as physical symptoms to indicate that it was congested. I'd become incredibly sensitive to alcohol, feeling hung-over after even one drink and experiencing a great deal of heat - sweating and hot flashes in the aftermath of having a social drink. I was also having difficulty sleeping, experiencing a lot of anger, frustration and outbursts (anger, as an emotion, is associated with the liver) and suffering from intense right shoulder blade pain, also associated with liver problems. At our second meeting, I was highly emotional and confidently let my friend pick the focus of the session - later I would find out that she placed some focus upon the liver in that session as well. Yesterday, at our third session, when my friend asked me what I'd like to focus upon, I automatically started to respond "liver", only to evaluate if that was really necessary. Upon reviewing what's been happening since we started this trio of sessions and what kind of results I've experienced, I realized that all of my liver-associated symptoms had disappeared! I had recently been able to enjoy a few social drinks without any adverse repurcussions, I was sleeping like a baby, not even waking in the night to use the bathroom as I frequently had in the past, I wasn't angry anymore and the right shoulder blade pain was gone!

I have two points to make in connection to this story.

1) Acupuncture is awesome! An ancient method rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture seeks to clear energetic meridians - paths through which life-energy, also called "qi" (pronounced "chi") is said to flow. When qi gets congested, organs, systems and glands that lie along the congested meridians can start to function less optimally. Insertion of acupuncture needles into specific points that lie along meridians helps to release congested energy, allowing it to flow freely, thereby nourishing organs, systems and glands.

2) Consistency and follow-up is incredibly important! When I do health coaching or ongoing cleanse counseling with clients, it almost always happens that the client is not entirely aware of the positive benefits they've gleaned from their healing journey under my guidance until we review together - touching on their original goals and the status of what was originally ailing them. My recent experience with acupuncture is a perfect illustration of how I overlooked the healing that had occurred for me through the application of acupuncture, while exemplifying the value of follow-up. Yesterday, when I realized that all my symptoms had disappeared, I ignorantly started to say "Wow - I haven't even really done anything specific to cleanse my liver...wait a minute...that's precisely what we've been doing here!" I had been so content to just chalk the sessions up to an opportunity to relax and take care of myself, that I lost sight of what it was actually doing for me. Pursuing consistent sessions and following up with your therapist clarifies progress, letting you know that what you're doing is worthwhile and effective.

Adam is our acupuncturist here at Prana Holistic. He's an amazingly skilled and sensitive therapist. Working largely from a place of intuition and with an immense amount of knowledge, Adam easily makes each person he sees feel comfortable and valued. If you feel like your body is not working quite as well as it could be, give us a call to set up an acupuncture appointment. Especially with my most recent acupuncture experience under my belt, I am not the least bit hesitant when I say that I know it will do you good and free up the energy needed to make you feel tip top!

Roberta Shepherd for Prana Holistic

Tapping In To A Better Experience (Literally)

As we enter the melting period, ie: the end of winter, I reflect on how long and grueling it felt for me. Just this morning I mentioned to someone that January felt like at least 2 months to me, if not 3. I know I've experienced seasonal depression before and am left confused about how much of that may have been the cause of my low winter feelings. Either way, I intend to build up and be aware of a plethora of personal, stress-relieving resources for next winter, including the application of self-care and the willingness to ask for support when it's needed. 

One of the resources that I used this time, which I believe was a big part of helping me to pick myself up and keep going, was EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique. EFT is a branch of energy psychology. Energy psychology is a field that considers the relationship of energy systems to mental and emotional health, as well as behaviour. Founded by Gary Craig, an American engineering graduate and ordained minister, now retired, EFT’s guiding principle is that negative emotions disrupt the body’s energy. EFT manipulates the body’s energy field, with the goal of creating harmony and balance. 

EFT combines tapping on particular points, as recognized in traditional acupuncture, focusing on an emotionally debilitating issue and repeating affirming statements that promote acceptance of oneself despite challenges and shortcomings. The idea is that negative thoughts and feelings get stuck in the energetic system just as toxins periodically get "stuck" in the body, calling for a nutritional detoxification process. Consider EFT to be an emotional detoxification process. Quite simply, where a high emotional charge exists in association with a dysfunctional belief system ("I'm not good enough"), event or trauma, EFT, in application, works to diminish this emotional charge in order that you cope more effectively with life and your own personal healing. 

Me Tapping In To A Better Life!

For example, during the winter, I got caught up in feeling responsible for others' feelings - probably as a way of avoiding my own. For a while, I was consumed with what a few people in particular were thinking and feeling, especially in relation to me, and this became draining and defeatist. I was not able to properly function because I was allowing my obsessive thoughts to pervade every part of my life. Daily application of EFT helped to bring the emotional charge around my obsessiveness down so that I could objectively look at my situation and logically compute that hey, this is this person's journey and here's mine - I am only responsible for myself and obsessing about others who may or may not even have issues with me is a waste of precious energy that I need to heal myself and care for my son. This moved me to take care of things that needed to be taken care of inside my relationships in a matter-of-fact way, which brought healing and renewal.

EFT can also be applied to old, traumatic events that have never fully been healed such as death and loss, accidents and abuse. It's difficult to move forward when we haven't shed light into and healed the wounds of the past. This is not to encourage you to stew in past wounds but rather to shed light upon them, heal them and move forward. EFT is a phenomenal way of healing wounds both from the past and the present. It also helps to eliminate jitters around public speaking, difficult conversations, traveling or anything where fear seems to be taking over. 

One of the most beautiful things about EFT is that once you've learned it, you can add it to your personal tool box forever! I recommend having a session with a skilled EFT practitioner to start so that you can talk the process through and gain the skills necessary to use it on your own. Further, it's helpful to be with someone who can offer fresh perspectives to something that may be old and festering in your life. 

Sharon is our skilled EFT practitioner here at Prana Holistic. Please call us today if you'd like to learn how to apply EFT in order to rid yourself of possibly debilitating emotions that may be blocking you from thriving in your life.

Roberta Shepherd for Prana Holistic

  

Value of a Life

What would you do to save your own life?

Let me answer that question - you would do almost anything. 

You would walk across coals, swim through sharks, lift cars, wrestle alligators, and do all number of other terrifying feats to reach the other side, where you heart still beats and your brain still lives. 

And yet ask someone to do ANYTHING to live the life they actually WANT to live, and you will be met with more resistance than ... um ... well, you will meet a great deal of resistance, the kind for which no metaphor can possibly convey.

Why are we so desperate to save our life if we don't even enjoy LIVING it?

So I ask you - what are you doing today to make your life not just continue, but passionate and LIVED?

Live, damn you, before my head explodes!

Kristi Shmyr

Be your own Hero

I just got back from a retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona. I jumped BIG the last quarter of 2010 and landed in a year-long mastermind/mentorship program, investing MANY thousands of dollars in ME and my big dreams. This retreat was the first of a year of pushing my expectations of myself and the number of people I can serve beyond what is comfortable into the realm of transformational, where I love to be. 

While there, I was discussing my program, Goal Ninjas, in a small mastermind within the larger group. The group began to discuss the name: Goal Ninjas. Because I primarily work with women, it was suggested that I should change the name as 

"women do not identify with being the warrior; they long, instead, to be the princess, and to be rescued".

I was shocked and, to be honest, offended by this idea. Is this really what women deeply, at their essence, want?

I sure hope not.

My whole life I have prided myself on being tough, resilient, motivated, and independent. I am fiercely passionate about creating the life I want. Yes, I have had issues with being rescued by my family, as the "baby", but there is nothing I long for more than to be successful, on my own terms and in my own right and by my own definitions. The thought of waiting for someone to bring me my dreams is foreign to me. I ... well, I just Do Not Compute. 

Women, are you waiting to be rescued, or are you ready to be your own hero?

Does your life depend on whether or not your prince arrives, or are you tackling the dragon all on your own?

I sure hope you are with me on this, ladies (gents too of course). Be your own hero - be the creator of your OWN kick-ass life.

Climb down your own damn hair, Rapunzel.

Kristi Shmyr,

Goal Ninja!

p.s. if you want help, not rescue, in creating the Kick Ass Life you Crave, join me for a free talk on how to do that, either this Thursday, Friday, or next Tuesday. Check out www.goalninjas.com/free-talks for more information.