Weight Loss Roulette

Eating late at night is a NO NO! First, your liver's natural rhythm requires it be free to clean itself at night. It can't do that if it's processing your food. Second, a study at Northwestern University finds that our body's natural cycles of sleep and wakefulness, the circadian rhythms, also influence metabolism - our metabolism gets slower at night. If you eat late at night, even if you are making healthy food choices, it is harder for your body to burn it off, more likely that it will be stored as fat and toxins, and more likely to disturb digestion. So quit the late night snacking! If you are eating right at your meals, you shouldn't be hungry anyways!

Fear of the scary, holistic unknown

"Holistic Health and Alternative Medicine are dangerous and irresponsible!"

One of our Prana Holistic Practitioners has recently started writing for See Magazine, an Edmonoton-based free newspaper (click here for Roberta's latest article on "Lymphatics"). Her first article was a simple introduction to her philosophy on health - click here to read her introductory article. This article, seemingly non-inflammatory as it is, provoked an angry letter. 


Although I won't share the exact contents of the letter, the gist was this: holistic health is dangerous. It has no value. There are no double-blind studies proving its efficacy. It cannot claim to save lives, like conventional medicine. Any effects seen by holistic health or alternative health are purely placebo.


It is wonderful to start a conversation about this, so let's do that.


First, I would like to address the argument that all resulting improvements from Holistic health modalities are the result of the placebo effect. The argument that there are "no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies being done" in this area, is simply untrue. Yes, studies are limited, but this is primarily due to lack of funding and corporate interest. Drug companies and large corporations often fund studies; the motivation to fund in an area of low profitability is correspondingly low. 


I will 100% concede that the placebo effect accounts for much of the results observed in any healing practice. But 30% of all conventional treatments is proven to be placebo as well. Drugs like Sertraline (including Zoloft), a popular anti-depressant, is criticized for being almost exclusively placebo effect, meaning the drug does no more to help depression than a sugar pill would. This effect is not limited just to conventional medicine; surgery also appears to be affected by the placebo effect. A study on arthroscopic knee surgery divided individuals into a group who underwent knee surgery and a group, who unbeknownst to them, had a "sham" surgery (were put under, had incisions and were then promptly sewn up without treatment). Both groups reported no pain one year after the surgery, regardless of whether it was real or fake. 

The author of the letter to SEE dismisses acupuncture because one study showed similar effects - a "sham" acupuncture session resulted, for this one specific problem, to be just as effective as "real" acupuncture. Shall we dismiss surgery as a whole as well because it is seemingly wholly placebic (just made that word up!) in its affect for this one surgery?

Conventional medicine lays on a foundation of placebo to the SAME degree alternative medicine does.

I also think it is remarkable that this individual, and so many like him, unquestioningly reference the Placebo Effect as fact, yet refuse to acknowledge energy healing. The very nature of the Placebo Effect is that thought (non-matter) effects things (matter/your body). It is proof that Quantum Physics, not old, matter-based Newtonian Physics, are where answers to better health lie. And it is an acknowledgment that energy (thought) can affect physiology.

There are many reasons why I think this is a wonderful debate to bring out into the open. Unfortunately, this particular effort to debate this topic, like so many I have seen in this field, seems profoundly based in fear of the unknown and ignorance. 

Something to chew on!

Yours in good health,

 

Kristi Shmyr
Prana Holistic
10138 121st Edmonton
www.pranaholistic.ca

Are you Hungry?

Here's an interesting idea - I was reading a great blog...ironically, this blog was ABOUT blogging [http://www.fridaytrafficreport.com], and came across an interesting post on what makes us, collectively, more likely to "rise to the occasion" and churn out our best work. The thought being this - as a culture in North America, we are soft. We are prosperous, comfortable and, well, really really really lucky. This breeds complacency. The really amazing, inspirational stories happen during massive depressions and wars and famines. Let's be honest - regardless of how bad we think the economy is and how tragic the losses in Iraq are, we, as a culture, are still remarkably comfortable. Change only happens when pain is applied (only the truly motivated change purely towards pleasure).

So how do we create a hunger, as Jack Humphrey calls it, to achieve great things in light of all this "comfort"? Well, here's my two cents on the matter (that's what blogs are for, yes?)

• Get very clear on what you DON'T want. Yes, I realize this goes against everything we are told by Law of Attraction teachers - never focus on what you don't want. I agree, but the point is not to focus on the negative, but to be clear on it. From that, you can get clear on what you DO want, in all its technicolored glory!

• Like it or not, we have a "default future" - a future that simply "happens" when we are on auto-pilot. It's imperative that you get clear on what consequences there will be if you continue to float down the "apathy path". Get clear on what those consequences are, and you will have motivation to move into action.

• Focus not on what would make you "comfortable" or "secure". These are apathetic, soft, lazy words. As Dr. Joe Vitale from the movie The Secret says, "Dare something worthy". Imagine you are in the future and a group of people are discussing what person, dead or alive, they would most like to have dinner with. Someone says your name and everyone is in agreement - it would be amazing to pick your brain and figure out how you ... (and it's your job to fill in the blank with whatever grand, life-changing, no-limits, amazing feat you accomplished in your lifetime). This will get you out of your head, away from the SMART, "achievable" goals and into the gracious world of big, juicy dreams. What would you do if you could not fail? These are the kind of dreams that will keep you hungry!

However you live your life, chose to LIVE IT! Make choices! Be grateful for what you have, but never complacent. And always hunger for your really big dreams. No one has ever been inspired by someone who is careful, comfortable and secure. The only way to affect true change in the world is to live your life to the fullest.

If you need help busting through the fog of a comfortable life and into your bright and colorful destiny, you might want to check out this FREE audio on how to create your year - listen online here -Goal Ninja Audio Online

Now go forth and live vibrantly!

Kristi Shmyr

Prana Holistic

10138 121st Edmonton

780.454.5299

kristi@pranaholisti.ca

Haiti needs our Help

Ok, here's the deal - the Canadian government has agreed to match Canadians donations up to $50 million towards to efforts to help in Haiti. I really want to take them up on that offer and raise money for a country that has been struck by everything from extraordinary poverty (they are the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere), war, and now this devastating earthquake.

I live in Alberta, and since I was a small child I have felt an immense gratitude for that. We are prosperous, natural disasters are rare and limited in their destruction, we have plenty of natural resources and beauty, and, this may sound silly, but we have no rats and that makes me ridiculously happy (yes, for all you international blog readers - we have "rat patrol" in Alberta and we are rat-free. In fact, I did not see my first rat until I was 30, in India). Living in all of this natural and man-made luxury, I cannot begin to imagine (or begin to reconcile) the devastation that Haitians are experiencing right now.

All of that being said, we want to do something. We contacted the Red Cross and are set up to accept donations on their behalf. If you are in Edmonton and want to donate, here is our offer -

Between January 21, 2010 and February 6, 2010, Prana Holistic will be fund raising for the Red Cross:

• For every session booked here (except 30 minute sessions), we will donate $20 of that money to the Red Cross effort in Haiti. (for information on our services, see our website at www.pranaholistic.ca)
  
• For every infrared sauna session booked, we will donate $10
  
• If you would like to contribute more, we will also be more than happy to accept personal donations. All donations over $10 are eligible for a receipt from the Red Cross (to be mailed later).
  

And, perhaps just as important as the financial aid, we will be holding a "Group Meditate-y for Haiti" event (silly name, yes, but tragedy does not preclude cuteness!) on February 6 at 4:30 pm. Here we will meditate on and send love to our fellow friends in Haiti. This may sound like a silly, idealistic and trite effort, but there are numerous studies, published in respected journals, that support the idea that joining together to meditate can have amazing effects on the lives of others - even lower the crime rate in cities by 22%!

So however you want to be involved, please get involved. We really can band together and create a better life in Haiti and make this devastation a blessing instead of a tragedy.

Much love, health, happiness and success to everyone!

Kristi Shmyr

Reiki gets some Cred!

Reiki is a not very well understood healing technique. It also just happens to be my #1 favourite alternative health modality. Nothing beats it for pure and utter relaxation. The three months in which I learned reiki was a time of unbelievable peace and tranquility. I have yet to find an ache or pain that reiki has not eliminated (that's right, ELIMINATED, not lessened or made better, but completely annihilated).

All of that being said, reiki is still a hard sell to people. It seems weird and irrational and a little too "woo woo" for most people's liking. That's why I was so excited to see that Dr. Oz, the television doctor extraordinaire, actually promoted it as his number one thing to try in 2010 for your health! Imagine that - a well-established doctor to the masses, and he is promoting our little ol' reiki!

Check out the video here.

Looking for a reiki practitioner? Throw a rock - you will probably hit one ;) But seriously, practitioners abound, so ask around for a recommendation (if you are in Edmonton, Alberta, I happen to recommend myself and my fellow practitioners at Prana, but I may be biased!) and start your trip to "Reiki Space" as soon as possible!

To your health, happiness and success!

Kristi Shmyr

Healthy Food Trades, continued!

In a previous post, I talked about healthy food trades you can make to gently alter your diet to a more healthy version of itself. Let's continue that discussion with another upgrade I encourage you to make!

4. Trade your soft drinks for a natural spritzer!

Soft drinks are amazingly bad for you. I have heard amazing success stories of clients and friends losing 20 or 30 pounds in a year JUST from eliminating soft drinks! And don't think diet pop is any better - the artificial sweeteners have been shown in studies to cause weight GAIN! Purdue University's Ingestive Behavior Research Center reported that zero-calorie saccharin caused rats to eat more, gain more weight and store more fat than rats fed sugar. Artificial sweeteners are also linked to side-effects like joint pain and depression, as well as potentially permanent brain cell damage. In addition, the fizziness you love leaches calcium from your bones and creates an acidic environment in the body, which creates an ideal environment for inflammation and disease.

So for the sake of your waistband and your overall health, without sacrificing taste, buy naturally carbonated mineral water and add a little raw honey and lemon juice. It is refreshing, and very healthy. The mineral water adds trace minerals to your diet that help maintain a healthy body, the lemon is detoxifying and alkalizing (the opposite of acidic), and the honey contains enzymes and minerals that promote a healthy immune and digestive system (just don't overdo the honey - it is still a sugar!)

Add this simple drink upgrade to the suggestions I already made, and you are well on your way to a healthy diet! Watch the Bloggity-Blog for more trade suggestions. Until then, to your health!


Kristi Shmyr
Prana Holistic
10138 121st Edmonton
780.454.5299
www.pranaholistic.ca

Tradesies! Trading your food for the Healthier Version!

Remember how you used to trade lunches at school, scamming a much more appetizing meal from your friend for the boring "same-old" that your mom packed for you? Well, with that spirit in mind, let's look at some basic trades you can make in your food choices to make you leaner, healthier and even smarter!

1. Trade pasta for spaghetti squash!
For the uninitiated into the wonderful world of this yellow God of a vegetable, it really is easy and it is so much healthier for you! It has a significantly lower glycemic index, which means that it releases sugars slower into your blood stream. What does that mean for you? It means you burn more stored fat, store less of your food as fat, and have a stable mood and energy level. If that's not enough, it an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins B6 and C, niacin, pantothenic acid, potassium and manganese (trust me, that's good!). And to top it all off - it's cheap and DELICIOUS! I like to cut it in half lengthwise, throw it in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, then scoop out the flesh with a fork (it will come out noodle-y, hence its name) and top with some chicken breast, roasted tomatoes, garlic, coconut oil and a little Parmesan cheese...hmmmm...I am salivating! Guess what I am having for dinner!

2.  Trade breakfast cereal for steel-cut oatmeal, berries, protein and oil.
Traditional cereal is just SOOO not healthy for you. Of course, you're thinking, that's because of the added sugar, right? Well, yes, but that is only part of the story. In his book Fighting the Food Giants, Paul Stitt reports that cereal, regardless of whether its from a health food store or a grocery store, is produced using the "extrusion process" which destroys the nutrients in the grains (even the chemical nutrients added at the end) and even makes some of the amino acids toxic. He also tells us about an experiment conducted by a cereal company in which four sets of rats were given special diets. One group received plain whole wheat, water and synthetic vitamins and minerals. A second group received puffed wheat (an extruded cereal, but a "healthy" one, right?), water and the same nutrient solution. A third set was given only water. A fourth set was given nothing but water and chemical nutrients. The rats that received the whole wheat lived over a year on this diet. The rats that ate only water and vitamins lived about two months; the animals fed on water alone lived about a month. But the company's own laboratory study showed that the rats given the vitamins, water and all the puffed wheat they wanted died within two week - they died before the rats that received no food at all! It wasn't a matter of the rats dying of malnutrition. Autopsy revealed dysfunction of the pancreas, liver and kidneys and degeneration of the nerves of the spine, all signs of insulin shock. Another study showed that rats fed the Cornflakes cardboard box lived longer than rats fed the actual cornflakes!

So what makes steel-cut oatmeal better? Let me tell you! It has been minimally processed (only cut into 2 or three pieces by a steel blade) so it retains its nutrient profile, as well as all of the fiber that allows for a slow release of sugar into the body (and a lessened insulin response, critical for weight management and overall health). Add some berries for their amazing antioxidant properties (which keep you young and disease-free!), protein powder (NOT soy - I like a product called Vega) and some coconut oil so that you can absorb the nutrients (as well as balance hormones, fire up your metabolism and keep you full longer) and you have a winner breakfast!

3. Trade your Tofu for lean, organic meat!
Ok, settle down, vegetarians and vegans - your choice to not eat meat is 100% OK with me (though PLEASE don't eat so much soy!). However, for the average Joe who thinks of soy as a health food, BACK AWAY FROM THE TOFU! Since the 70s, soy has been touted as a miracle health food. Now, due to its cheap production, it has become ubiquitous in our food system, leading to food food sensitivities (which cause symptoms like bloating, toxic weight gain, joint pain, skin problems and excess mucous). It also appears to have a negative affect on the thyroid (leading to weight gain, lethargy and skin problems) and the entire hormone system. Add the fact that it is HEAVILY genetically-modified (studies show increase mortality rates in baby rats when GM soy is fed to the pregnant mothers) does not helps its case as a health food.

So instead of opting for soy, chose organic, free range chicken or wild salmon, or any of the other sources of lean protein are a much better option (there are vegetarian sources, but know that the assimilation by our body of non-animal protein is much less, and therefore you need to eat a lot more). You should be having 6-8oz, depending on your activity level (1.5 to 2 decks of cards or the palm of your hand) of protein at every meal.

Eating healthy does not have to mean suffering and denial. Food should be delicious and enjoyable, and with a few adjustments, it can be nutritious too!

Happy eating!

Kristi Shmyr

Prana Holistic
www.pranaholistic.ca
780.454.5299