Thursday, December 31, 2009

Gratitude - Day 8

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Gratitude - Day 7


Love, Respect and Gratitude

Gratcrystal
-- Emoto's Love and Gratitude Water Crystal

Daily Self-Love, Self-Respect and Self-Gratitude will re-arrange watery worlds within, opening space for peace to be, intentions to manifest and abundance to freely flow. Consider using this simple method of blessing bodily waters, as suggested by Dr Emoto:

Water, I Love You. Water, I Thank You. Water, I Respect You.

Now, consider replacing "water" with your name to enhance the exchange of Love, Respect and Gratitude.

As you clear waters within, prepare for a rush of old junk, gunk and out-of-Now materials to be released.

The best method for gracefully moving through past time to get to the new is Love, Respect and Gratitude.

Always and all ways!

***

"In the New Earth, you will ... develop that sense of gratitude and commitment to your creations, for the need to keep creating and re-creating does not allow you the time to enjoy your creations and reflect on who you are through your creations.

Indeed, time is of the essence in the New Earth. Time to "be" and enjoy. Time to be still and to reflect. For the more still and calm you are, the more gratitude and respect you show, the higher your internal vibrations will be, and the more at ease you will feel in the New Earth.

The expression of gratitude is the key to the Flows of Time. Not only expressing, but also feeling that gratitude, as you stand at your point of power within Infinity, the Master of both Past and Future. But the point of Mastery is Gratitude and Joy!

And if you are deeply unhappy with your creations, then you will need to see where you have created from ideas and desires that no longer align with who you are. And when you find that point, just let go and release. Forgive yourself and then express gratitude for that point of learning and what it gave you - and then be ready to align with perceptions that are more aligned with how you sense yourself to be!

Remember that wherever you are, you have created this from your desires in the past. Express gratitude for the past, and then allow yourself to begin dreaming yourself in a new and more powerful way. Take the best and the most powerful from your past, and dream according to that."

-- Archangel Michael through Celia Fenn


LNH

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Gratitude - Day 6

Cup of Life

Whether it be half empty or full, let's always give thanks for the CUP.

As for the ebb and flow - the rise and fall - the come and go that affects us all, consider this:

Without spilling, drinking, tipping or sipping, there is no room for NOW to fill you UP.

Remember, the cup is YOU.

Gratitude is
the give and receive,
the drink and the pour,
a space for Love to be less IS more.

Inside or outside yourself, you never have to change what you see, only the way you see it.

-- Thaddeus Golas

In addition to your Gratitude journal entries, you could write 'Love and Gratitude', with a permanent marker on your favorite cup, mug, or glass. Each time you fill it, feel your energy flowing through, re-arranging the waters to serve your highest good.

LNH

Monday, December 28, 2009

Gratitude - Day 5

New Breath of You

Our breath is a constant companion, guide and connection to Life. So is Gratitude.

As newly born beings, we begin by first receiving, accepting a naturally abundant source of support - the Breath of Life - only to immediately return this gift ...and then begin again.

- Give and Receive

- Accept and Release

- In and Out

- Beginning to End

Fill your heart with compassion and gratitude by practicing this simple meditation. Begin by inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling completely through the mouth; then, inhale through the mouth and exhale completely through the nose.

Now, breathe deeply, as if this is the beginning, the first breath connecting you to now. Upon release, imagine a state of purity returning to all creation with Gratitude.

LNH

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Gratitude - Day 4

Gratitude - Day 3

Gathering Masters

Wgday3masters

Today, consider twelve people who have profoundly influenced and inspired you, be these friends, family, authors, explorers, artists or leaders.

Call to them with your heart, giving thanks for their presence in your life, sending a wave of energetic appreciation their way.

Now, emotionally invite these Masters to guide you through these 42 days of Gratitude - energetically connecting to their wisdom, example and experience - in order to form a circle of support, intimately familiar to YOU, that will ultimately serve everyone.

By giving thanks to, connecting with and inviting in these powerfully influential beings, our gathering exponentially shifts, our affinity range expands, and our collective field of consciousness is flooded as we awaken to the power of full-spectrum living.

As you choose, spend some time reflecting on the Wheel of Transformation asking:

• What areas are represented by their influence?
• What are your current areas of strength?
• Where might you choose to grow, expand and integrate new areas of awareness?
• Who will arrive to assist in this process?
• How will you prepare for arriving guidance?

Wgday3

Congratulations - our three days of preparation are complete.

Remember, throughout the 42 days of Gratitude (and beyond), intentionally focus on Gratitude as you Wake to Dream and Drift to Sleep, continually holding a silent prayer in your heart, blessing all bodies of water with your Love and Gratitude.

LNH

Friday, December 25, 2009

Gratitude - Day 2


Heart of Water

Today, let's begin within and bless all the waters in our body. As our blessed Heart beats true with Love and Gratitude, water will begin to mirror Divinity within.

So just imagine, by flooding our bodily waters with Love and Gratitude, graceful waves will ripple into all of creation, emotionally projecting a super-charged vibration, allowing for intended manifestations.

Give thanks.

As you feel complete within, imagine this blessed beat flowing lovingly through others, and on to all the waters of Earth.

Feel grateful knowing you are this powerful, connected and Divine.

Now, as a co-creator of Gratitude, it's time to set an intention - one you wish to see come into being, uniquely suited to serve your highest good, and that of others as well.

Create a vivid image of this intention with your imagination.

Feel its presence, hear its gift, taste its treasure, and see its depth and magnificence.

Love this intention.

Give thanks in advance for its manifestation while allowing the Law of Attraction to deliver this intended creation with grace, style and ease.

Perhaps you will wish to share it, allowing others to magnify and accelerate the arrival of this possibility.

You may record it in a journal, online or written, or simply close your eyes and breathe in the intention and breath out the manifestation.

Be true to what feels right for you,
and all will manifest through Love and Gratitude.

********************
"It is during our time, through managing our choices, that we are invited to create an outer world that mirrors our inner most prayers and dreams." ---Gregg Braden, The Isaiah Effect

********************

Enjoy a peaceful, blessed and joyous Christmas Day!
OC


Thursday, December 24, 2009

Gratitude - Day 1

Wake to Dream

Focus on Gratitude just before drifting to sleep, and immediately upon awakening.

Beyond words, allow this source of energy-in-motion (emotion) to flood each cell in your body, feeling wave after wave of Gratitude.

Breathe in, using connected breath -- filling the belly and slowly releasing the breath completely. Don't worry about how long "long enough" is -- repeat the process for however long it feels good to you. Let go, release, and breathe deeply, as you drift in and out, giving and receiving pure gratitude.

As living in gratitude is done by people all over the world, this practice will create a daily wave of Gratitude rolling through hearts and minds alike.

Beyond a static time, flowing with our natural rhythms, a unified connection through Gratitude will begin and end each day.

This practice will flood our bodies with serotonin and dopamine, assisting our ability to sustain a state of peace, relaxation and present moment awareness.

Be sure to immediately enter your notes in your journal. You won't remember them later. It doesn't take that long, and your quality of life is well worth the extra minutes.

This discipline may be the simplest, easiest most effective means of co-creating change through Gratitude.

Why?

Moving from sleep to waking, waking to sleep, is a state change ... a phase transition.

Using Gratitude to move through a state change, we will charge our collective consciousness with this energetic pattern, effecting a global shift.

Change begins with each of us.


LNH

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Gratitude

The Holiday season brings 'gratitude' to the forefront of our minds. It seems every time you turn around, someone is talking about gratitude -- TV, radio, commercials, promotions, events all contain a message of gratitude. Oprah has openly built her life and empire with an "attitude of gratitude" -- mindset, journals, books, TV, film, interviews, meditations. So what does gratitude really mean? And how do we get there?

It all begins with each of us -- Our commitment. Our focus. Our ability to surrender.

Yes, surrender. This is not about ego, it's about getting real -- cards face up on the table -- accepting what has been given to us, be it life supporting or life challenging, with an open heart and open mind. They are all "gifts", and it's our responsibility to see the growth opportunities which present themselves, especially in the most challenging times.

It's helpful to start by making a list of agreements, a 'contract' of sorts, with yourself. Gather family and friends to share and grow the gratitude --- and creating a circle of like-minded people could be helpful to keep on track if this is new to you.

Side effect: The more you share your circle, the more the gratitude grows.

The Journal
Your contract could be the first page of your journal.
Here are some examples from World Gratitude of agreements you could integrate into your own Gratitude Contract:

• I agree that a world of Love and Gratitude begins with me. I choose to be a conscious mirror and model of the change I wish to see in the world.


• I agree to consciously set an intention for manifesting something miraculous in my life throughout this process.

• I agree to tap into Gratitude on a daily basis and as much as possible in every waking moment. I know that the rewards of doing so flow through and extend beyond me, strengthening the collective field of Gratitude from which we may all derive benefit.

• I agree to be a consistently uplifting inspiration in all my interactions. I commit to see and mirror back the greatness of each soul who crosses my path. I choose to discover and nurture the light within so that it may shine forth to others and magnify their lives.

• I agree to honor each individual's right to choose their own belief system and life path.

• I agree to be open to both give and receive within this community. In all my dealings, I seek win-win, mutually edifying interactions and transactions.

• I agree to be my word in my exchanges with others. I realize that my personal influence is magnified to the degree I am able to keep my word with myself and others. If something comes up and I decide to change what I had agreed upon, then I agree to make that communication as soon as possible to the affected party.

• I agree to love and enjoy my life.


• I agree to be Grateful for myself.

These agreements set the stage to begin your path to living in greater gratitude. Feel free to add more.

We will continue to explore gratitude in depth now through January. So grab a journal and make some notes. Include details of events and experiences, and how they make you feel...whatever that may be. Be candid. Write freely. The more honest the notes, the more you will uncover about yourself.

Side effect: Breakthroughs. Getting over life hurdles that have held you back. Elevating your quality of life.

Eventually, you'll grow to a point where you automatically give thanks as events occur (in the moment), no matter the circumstances. It's humbling. It's revealing. It's gratitude.

Wishing you a truly blessed and Merry Christmas!

OC

Monday, December 14, 2009

Bonus Tip #41 for a Happier, Healthier Life

What you think about, you'll bring about.

These words were spoken to me by a very wise woman in Vancouver in 1989. I'll always remember how I felt in that moment -- her words took my breath away and hit me like a bolt of lightening. I felt my eyes widen when she said them, and they've stayed with me ever since.

We can have whatever it is we want in life. We've all heard people say, "Be careful of what you wish for..." Experience has taught me that it's important to:
Be focused.
Be choosy.
Be honest.
And be prepared to accept what comes your way.

OC

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Tip #40 for a Happier, Healthier Life

To round out our 40 quick tips, here's a little mantra to marinade on --

May your troubles be less,
May your blessing be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door.

Sometimes just saying something positive to yourself helps reframe our thinking and elevates our mood. You can say this anywhere at anytime -- silently as a meditation, or out loud in the car in traffic. It's a great little stress reliever. When we believe we are surrounded by goodness, it becomes a part of our lives.

LNH

Tip #39 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Enjoy the ride.

Remember, this is not Disneyland -- and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it --- and enjoy the ride.

LNH

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tip #38 for a Happier, Healthier Life

The best is yet to come!

OC

Tip #37 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Believe in something or someone bigger than yourself.

I believe in God.
OC

Tip #36 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Consuming foods containing Triptophan can calm you down and help you sleep.

Ever wonder why you feel like a nap after your Thanksgiving Turkey dinner? Chances are, it's the triptophan, an essential amino acid which may release the chemical seretonin in your brain. It also can help alleviate pain.

Other foods high in triptophan are apples, bananas, chocolate and milk.

OK, so now you're ready for some good rest after your next holiday feast!

LNH

Tip #35 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Do the right thing.

Go to your heart for the truth in all matters.

OC

Tip #34 for a Happier, Healthier Life

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Think about it.

LNH

Tip #33 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Call your family often.

Connecting with those we love and who love us back is important to our overall sense of well being. Friends are family whom we choose with our hearts.

OC

Tip #32 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Get good sleep.

Sleep is crucial to achieving optimum health. It is the time when our bodies regenerate. If we don't sleep, we don't regenerate properly. Lack of sleep can cause many problems which may lead to chronic health issues.

Set a regular sleep schedule -- and stick to it. Relax before bed. Meditate. Pray. Practice connected breathing. Read. Take a soak in a warm sea salt bath. DVR your late night shows.

LNH

Tip #31 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Envy is a waste of time and energy. You already have all you need.

LNH

Tip #30 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Frame every so-called 'disaster' with the following words:
"Will this even matter in five years?"

LNH

Tip #29 for a Happier, Healthier Life

No one is charge of your own happiness, except you.

LNH

Tip #28 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Life isn't fair, but it's good.

LNH

Tip #27 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements:

1. I am thankful for ________________________________________.
2. Today, I accomplished ____________________________________.

Living in gratitude shifts us into high gear to create abundance and joy in our lives. Tracking goals, accomplishments and thanks are powerful reminders of who and what we are becoming, and wonderful to reflect upon when feeling uninspired. Keep a journal!

LNH

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tip #26 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Forgive everyone for everything.

You don't have to like them or have them in your world, but forgiving others frees us to live happier days and enjoy deep, restful sleep at night. You don't have to live with others, but you DO have to live with yourself.

LNH

Tip #25 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

LNH

Tip #24 for a Happier, Healthier Life

You don't have to win every arguement.
Agree to disagree.

Even the most compatible people don't always agree on every topic -- it's part of what makes life interesting. It would be a shame to lose a good friend over them not agreeing with your every point, or vice versa.

Appreciate differing points of view -- put yourself in the other person's shoes and walk a couple of miles. We all have good reasons and life's rich experiences to behave, feel and think as we do.....but it's important to keep an open mind to learn and grow....and maybe even change our minds. :-)

LNH

Tip #23 for a Happier, Healthier Life

However good or challenging a situation is, it WILL change.

LNH

Tip #22 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Live your life using the "3-E" philosophy:
Energy
Enthusiasm
Empathy

LNH

Tip #21 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Dream more while you're awake.

LNH

Tip #20 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Eat more foods that grow ON trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.

LNH

Tip #19 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.

Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

LNH

Tip #18 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

LNH

Tip #17 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Don't compare your life to those of other people. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

LNH

Tip #16 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

LNH

Tip #15 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

LNH

Tip #14 for a Happier, Healthier Life

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

LNH

Tip #13 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Get rid of everything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

LNH

Tip #12 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Your job won't take care of you when you're sick.
Your friends will.
Stay in touch.

It's a fact that people who maintain friendships feel better, are happier, and experience less illness than those who remain alone. No man is an island. We were meant to share time with each other.

Call someone you care about who's far away and catch up. Skype is a beautiful thing (go to skype.com to download free internet video calling).
Make plans with someone close by and share dinner, tennis match or a walk on the beach.

Time to get close again.

LNH

Monday, December 7, 2009

Tip #11 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Don't take yourself too seriously.
No one else does.

LNH

Tip #10 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Eat Breakfast like a King,
Lunch like a Prince and
Dinner like a college kid with a maxed-out credit card.


Starting the day with a full tank of high quality fuel will drive energy levels. We typically burn off what we consume during breakfast. That said, it's still important to make high quality choices.

We've all had heavy, low quality carb and fast food lunches which have left us feeling lethargic and sleepy, so it's best to choose salads and foods that aren't fried or laden with heavy sauces. The energy will keep our energy up and our minds clear to focus on the tasks at hand.

Dinners should be light, easy to digest choices. Soups, salads, fresh wild caught fish, etc., in small, reasonable portions are good choices.

Please feel free to contact us with questions to assist with meal planning and nutrition. It's what we do best.

LNH

Tip #9 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

LNH

Tip #8 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Play more games/sports and read more books than you did in 2009.

LNH

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Tip #7 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.

Instead, invest your energy in the positive, present moment.

LNH

Tip #6 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Clear clutter from your home, garage, car and office -- Allow the new, flowing energy to come into your life.

LNH

Tip #5 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Make at least 3 people smile each day.

LNH

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tip #4 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Make time to practice meditation, prayer and tai chi.

These provide us with spiritual fuel we need for our busy lives.

LNH

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Tip #3 for a Happier, Healthier Life

When you wake up, complete the following statement:

"My purpose today is to________________________."

LNH

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tip #2 for a Happier, Healthier Life

Sit in silence for at least ten minutes each day.

LNH

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

40 Tips for a Happier, Healthier Life

Happy December 1st!

New Year's Day is traditionally the day the collective "we" start anew. By now, we've spent weeks reflecting over the year, assessing our accomplishments, our failures and begin our action plan to make the new year our best year ever.

At LNH, we don't wait.

Our "Tip of the Day" starts today -- We will post 40 simple little tips that have changed and improved many lives....even ours.

The best time to get involved with yourself is now. As a result, you may even find yourself more involved with your friends and family. Make ripples -- like the effect of throwing a stone in a still pond, let your actions ripple out to affect others for the greater good.

We also invite you to write us with your tips and comments. Share your wealth of knowledge and experiences.

Tip #1:
Take a 10-30 minute walk, and smile to the world while you're out there.

It's the ultimate anti-depressant, for you and those around you.


LNH

Sunday, November 29, 2009

12 Steps to Save America with Nutrition

- Adapted from a report by Mike Adams, The Health Ranger

The first step toward any journey is taken with your own foot. Follow these 12 steps to unleash a new era of health and wellness in your life...and let it ripple out to your friends and family:

1. Stop rewarding manufacturers of processed foods, junk foods, sodas and unnecessary/unreliable/unproven/pharmaceuticals. Simply stop buying their products.

2. Greatly increase your purchases of fresh, organic produce. Get yourself a juicer and drink fresh juice every day. Set the pace and example -- Teach your children to eat more fresh produce. Get them involved in building their own good health habits. Kids love juice and smoothies!

3. Supplement your diet with health-enhancing superfoods and nutritional supplements. LNH sells only certified organic, food sourced supplements from New Chapter and NewMark. New Chapter products are available through better health food stores and NewMark products are available through a qualified practitioner.

4. Greatly increase your intake of Omega-3 oils. (Fish oil supplements and wild salmon are excellent sources.)

5. Get more sunshine. Your body and mind needs sunlight. It generates the vitamin D that helps prevent cancer, depression, diabetes and heart disease. 20 minutes of unblocked sun is suggested by experts.

6. Boost your physical exercise. Studies repeatedly show that even moderate exercise (walking 3 times a week, for example), has a drastic reduction on rates of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

7. Exercise your brain. Learn a new language, play strategy games, read books or do something active with your brain to keep all the neurons firing.

8. Work with a nutritionist, naturopathic doctor and your medical doctor to heal your body through natural therapies and food sources which will sustain and nourish your body to reach a healthy state. Get tested regularly to safely get off synthetic prescription drugs.

9. Avoid hospitals. A hospital is one of the most dangerous places you can go, as they're filled with antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Your risk of being harmed at a hospital is much higher than what you might expect. Unless you're suffering from an acute, dangerous condition requiring emergency medical care, make an effort to stay away from hospitals.

10.
Embrace your own natural healing potential. Recognize that your immune system is a technological miracle. Your body is a self-repairing biological marvel. When given the right resources (nutrition, superfoods, etc.), your body can work healing miracles.

11. Thank yourself for taking the time to invest in your own good health by reading this report. Give yourself a healing reward such as a glass of fresh juice or a delicious superfood smoothie.

12.
Forward this special report to 3 friends, family members or coworkers you know who might benefit from this information. Spread the word about nutrition and you'll be taking part in a wave of healing that can sweep across our planet as people reawaken to the healing powers of plant-based nutrients.

LNH

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Holiday Feasting on the "No-Starve" Smart and Skinny

Two words:
HOLIDAY PARTIES

No matter who you are, those two little words conjure images in our heads and makes our hearts race. For those who love the parties but are concerned about the food --- relax. We have some suggestions to make it easy to attend those functions without worrying about extra, unnecessary, undisciplined foot intake.

1. Don't go to the party hungry.
Enjoy a small meal or well balanced snack to take the edge off before you leave your house. Making sure your snack includes lean protein, fiber and 'good' fat to sustain energy and make you feel satisfied will prevent overeating at the event. And let's face it, sometimes those buffets are beautifully dressed tables loaded with platters of empty calories with little nutritional value.

2. When you arrive, fill up on the good stuff.
Eat healthy 'risk-free' foods first, so you will eat less of the unhealthy foods. In order:
First, consume fibrous vegetables: leafy greens, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, celery, onions. Second, lean protein: turkey, fish, chicken, ham, lean red meat.
Third, starchy vegetables: potatoes, yams, corn, peas and fruit.

3. Share any and all indulges with a friend.
Split that slice of cake or pie with another guest.

4. Use good judgement when drinking.
Alcoholic beverages are a big part of many parties, but carry a lot of calories that quickly add up. Limit yourself to a maximum of two per event. Wine and champagne have the lowest caloric impact. Drink pure water in between.

Most important, have fun and enjoy! Don't obsess about weight gain -- just be smart about your habits.

OC

6 Quick Ways to Relieve Stress

The holiday season is officially ON!

The stores are decorated and playing holiday music. The malls have already had their tree lighting ceremonies and Santa is set up for his yearly visits.

Just the thought of this makes many people's shoulders raise, upper lips stiffen, and defensive driving techniques are cast to the wind. Many people reach for another latte, another cigarette, another cocktail, or another bag of cookies --- only to feel worse on the flip side.

When we fail to properly deal with our stress, we can become irritable, we can experience mood and appetite changes, fatigue, sleeping issues, skin disruptions and depletion of the immune function. The longer we ignore stress, the more our chances increase to create more serious health issues.

It's important, easy and natural to learn to self-treat to prevent disease.

These 6 methods of relieving stress will help you stay happy and healthy through the holidays and other challenging times:

1. Restorative Yoga - Taking time to experience the rest and calm that come from this healing practice including a series of simple stretches and proper cleansing breath is one way to reduce your stress levels, improving your overall health and well-being. Just about anyone can practice Restorative Yoga.

2. Focused/Connective Breath Technique - This can be used to assist with any anxiety-related issue. Designed to take you through the 'letting go' process, each time the steps are repeated with the right attitude, old perceptions, thought and feelings are released from the cells.

3. Soak in the Bath - Few things are more relaxing than soaking in a tub of warm water. Use dead sea salts and essential oils to turn your soak into a skin-softening, stress-relieving, home spa experience.

4. Use a Stillpoint - You can interrupt your body's stress cycle instantly with a stillpoint, which originates from osteopathy and craniosacral therapy. To find your stillpoint:
• Lay on a flat, comfortable surface on your back. Place both hands palms up under your head with your middle fingerstips touching each other. Your hands must be at the place where your head is most protruding (sticks out the furthest).
• Slowly slide your hands apart toward the outer edges of your head and stop where your head begins to 'turn the corner'.
• You will notice that the gentle pressure of your head resting on your middle fingertips at these specific points creates instant relaxation. The longer you remain here, the more your relaxation will deepen into absolute calm. You have found your stillpoint.

5. Step away from the computer - Job stress is almost inevitable, so it's more important than ever to learn to optimize your ability to think clearly and shift your panic to calm in an instant.
• Focus on an image of something that gives you the feeling of being in awe; a sunset, picture someone you love, recall a memory. Hold this image for as long as you wish.
• Close your eyes and gaze at your hands on your lap as you silently count to four. Take a little pause and then exhale, counting down from four. Repeat at least 10 times.
• Imagine the sun is shining golden light upon you, creating a golden shield that holds and comforts you. Imagine the faces of those who love you as your shield. Hold this image as long as you wish.
• Think of something funny or watch something funny on the internet. Allow yourself to laugh out loud for several minutes. It always helps to take life less seriously, even for a few minutes.

6. Enjoy a day at the Spa - Pamper yourself with some effective stress-relief by scheduling a day-- or a week --- at a spa.

Happy, stress-free Holidays!
OC

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Holy Basil: Natural Stress Relief

Holy Basil, or Ocimum Sanctum, or Tulsi, is in the basil family but has very different medicinal properties. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 5,000 years and has been used in many recent scientific studies.

Holy Basil:
- reduces inflammation
- lowers the amount of Cortisol released
- increases physical endurance
- improves performance under stress
- decreases recovery time
- balances blood sugar
- reduces food cravings (carbohydrates)
- improves weight loss

Holy Basil also aids the immune system by increasing the number and activity of "neutrophil" cells, which are normally decreased by stress. Holy Basil balances complex bio-chemical changes in the brain that stress causes. Holy Basil relieves anxiety, and with a better mood and balanced biochemistry, stressful stimuli don't bother us as much.

Many people feel better immediately after taking Holy Basil. They report a lighter mood and uplifted spirits. Patients with mild depression or anxiety find effective relief by using Holy Basil. According to traditional Ayurveda, Holy Basil expands consciousness which means generally feeling better. The benefits can be sustained safely over a lifetime by taking Holy Basil daily.

Holy Basil is a potent anti-inflammatory. It inhibits an enzyme central to inflammation: the COX-2 enzyme. Certain anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs are synthesized chemical COX-2 blockers, but these drugs can have side effects, including bleeding ulcers. Holy Basil in a natural COX-2 inhibitor without the side effects, and one of its many benefits is that it actually helps protect the stomach from ulcers.

Holy Basil is available in capsules (we like New Chapter or NewMark products), or just enjoy a cup of Tulsi tea.

OC

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Think You Know Stress?

Everyone knows about stress, but do you know the real damage caused by stress?

According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 90% of all illness, mental and physical, is caused or aggravated by stress.

We've all heard the list of big stresses: death of a loved one, divorce, money problems, moving, etc. Yet just about anything can create stress in our bodies, such as:
- eating late at night
- staying up late
- watching too much TV
- a strained or no relationship
- eating the wrong food
- excessive exercise
- frustration
- pollution
- noise
- most diets
- even vacations!
Almost anything can induce the body's stress reaction if we don't receive that event in the right way at the right time and in the proper amount.

Dr Hans Selye won a Nobel Prize for his pioneering work on stress. He defines stress as "a psycho-physiological (mind-body) event that takes place when our system is overwhelmed by an experience: physical, mental or emotional."

Stress is our mind/body reaction to the event, not the event itself.

The diseases and health conditions most associated with chronic stress are:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
- auto-immune diseases (colitis, IBS, etc.)
- ulcers
- cancer
- pain inflammation
- weight gain
- insomnia
- anxiety
- depression
- tension
- sexual dysfunction
Stress also accelerates the aging process and causes the skin to wrinkle.

Stress causes a cascade of neuro-chemical reactions known as the "fight or flight response".
First, the stress hormones Cortisol, Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are released by the adrenals. The pituitary gland releases more hormones, and the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (the part you have no direct control over) revs up.

Cortisol, when elevated, raises blood sugar for increased energy. If we don't use all this released energy "fighting or fleeing", the excess blood sugar stores as fat -- especially around the mid-section. Studies have found that women with high levels of body fat accumulating at their waist also have high levels of cortisol in their systems due to elevated stress levels. Up and down swings of blood sugar due to cortisol also promote food cravings and bad diet, which can turn simple weight problems into diabetes.

Elevated blood sugar can also cause and inflammatory repose, often without visible manifestation until later when arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's or heart disease appear.

In short, the chemistry of stress needs some balance....naturally.

Tomorrow we'll discuss the benefits of Holy Basil, our favorite herbal stress reducer.

OC



Monday, November 9, 2009

Natural Stress Relief

The best way to reduce stress is to prevent stress.

• Get enough sleep at the proper times.
• Eat fresh, organic fruit, vegetables, antibiotic-free meats, wild caught fish, etc.
• Prayer or meditate every day.
• Drink pure water - 1/2 your body's weight in ounces per day (100 lbs = 50 oz water)
• Bodywork, massage.
• Exercise.
• Get 20 minutes of unblocked sun per day.
• Have fun.
• Listen to music that lifts your heart.
• Take herbal/food sourced antioxidant supplements.
• Rhythmic, deep breathing.

Oxygen free radicals are highly reactive, but are necessary to drive thousands of different chemical reactions in the body. In excess, they cause a lot of damage to our health and well being. Free radicals have been linked to most degenerative chronic diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer's, cancer and accelerated aging. Smoking, pollution, grilled meats and stress are of few of the things that can create excess oxygen free radicals.

Antioxidants neutralize oxygen free radicals. Our bodies naturally create some, but our world generate so many, we can't get rid of them all without a little help from antioxidant supplements.

Some good antioxidant food sources are turmeric, green tea and ginger, as well as Vitamins A, C, E and D.

LNH