18
Oct 2019

Unplugging From the Matrix: The Truth About Nutrition and Your Health

By

Health MatrixI consider myself an intelligent person.  Logic and rationalization of what makes sense in life have always been important to me.  I suspect you had similar experiences as well.  As a result, life has been a journey of adventures, discoveries, and yes, some hard-learned lessons.

Nutrition, especially as it relates to the U.S. food industry, is an area with which I have found myself preoccupied over the past several years.  I have attempted to use logic and rationalization in order to fully understand what it is truly all about.

There have been many “eureka” moments on the subject of nutrition.  But what I have recently become aware of is that even those “eureka” moments were fueled – partly by my own ignorance – and partly by external forces like the media, the various food industries, the FDA and the AMA, to name a few.

While one’s awareness is constantly changing and updating, a major shift in my awareness started about two years ago when I began coursework, did research and wrote a thesis on type 2 diabetes.

What I found did a few things:

  • Outlined the sheer worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes, not just isolated to certain groups of people in the U.S.
  • Virtually everyone is affected by these trends, whether they develop Diabetes or not.
  • A proverbial monster has been created in that the eradication of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases is virtually impossible without grassroots education and restructuring of nutrition and lifestyle.

My very own beliefs about health and nutrition have been turned upside-down as result.  I realized I have been “plugged into the matrix,” unconscious and unaware of many myths about nutrition that affect our health in negative ways.  I suspect the same may be true for you as well.

Some of these myths include:

  • A low-fat diet is the healthiest diet
  • A low-fat diet is best when wanting to lose weight
  • Coconut oil and butter are ‘bad’ for you
  • Multivitamins with megadoses of synthetic isolates are good for your body

On the other hand, there are certain facts that do remain true:

  • Despite decades of low-fat eating, cardiovascular disease remains the #1 cause of death in the U.S.
  • Cancer is the 2nd cause of death in the U.S.
  • Despite public health education on healthy eating, type 2 diabetes has exploded exponentially and worldwide in the past 50 years, with no sign of letting up
  • Auto-immune disease and other chronic illnesses are also increasing at a very high rate, with 1/11 Americans contracting these illnesses
  • Among industrialized nations, U.S. citizens spend the most money on pharmaceuticals, yet rank #45 in the world in terms of good health practices, with several non-industrialized nations faring better than the U.S.
  • For the first time in recorded history, it is estimated that the average lifespan of our children’s generation will actually decrease!

Please join me these next few months in a series of presentations and discussions that will explore the truth about nutrition and how it affects your health.  Unplug yourself from the matrix and begin to truly think outside the box!  Allow right-thinking to emerge for the sake of yourself and your family, your community – indeed your planet.

Doris-Owanda Johnson, Ph.D., L.Ac.

Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
01
Oct 2019

Crisco Kid

By

Butter(Feel free to sing along!)

Crisco Kid –
Was a friend of mine,

Crisco Kid –
Was a friend of mine,

Cakes and cookies tasted so divine,
Chicken Tofu perfect every time!

But then I found out something really weird,
Revealed some dark and deep seated fears.

Crisco made the arteries really clogged,
Not unlike a swampy marshy bog!

Heart disease, stroke and diabetes,
It all somehow seems so needless,

Crisco Kid –
Another disappointment,
Capitalistic methods for exploitment! (Yes, I made up the word!)

So the question begs,
What is really real??

How is health
Restored to the people?

Olive, Coconut, Butter through generations,
Tastes better than Crisco and uplifts the nations!

Well… Well… Well…

Well… Well… Well…!!!

Crisco Kid
Ain’t no friend of mine!

Country Crock – Ain’t no friend of mine!

Margarine – Ain’t no friend of mine!!

I Can’t Believe – Ain’t no friend of mine!!! ………..

This fun poem/song remix focuses on Crisco and all hydrogenated oils, but it also addresses the oil and fats industry and how the public has been brainwashed into believing that certain high-quality saturated fats like butter, ghee and coconut oil cause weight gain and disease, and vegetable oils like corn, soy, and safflower oils are good for you.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is, good quality fats like extra virgin olive oil, virgin and extra virgin coconut oil, and pure butter from pasture raised cows are better for you and actually promote health and vitality in your entire body. This includes your digestive system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system and nervous system, among others. Following is a very brief breakdown of how wonderful these fats are and how they nourish your body and restore health:

  1. Digestive System: When we eat low fat foods or the wrong kinds of fats like hydrogenated and vegetable oils, we become malnourished and crave more foods – especially starchy and sweet foods. It is precisely these starchy and sweet low fat foods that have contributed greatly to the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease in the USA. By contrast, a diet rich in high quality fats like coconut oil can actually help the body be nourished and the appetite satiated. When the diet is low in carbohydrates and higher in good fats like coconut oil, the body will burn fats directly and help increase metabolism. In turn, weight loss may occur more easily and chronic illness patterns like pre-diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, gas, bloating, and even constipation may be resolved. The bottom line: Fat does not make you fat!
  2. Cardiovascular System: We’ve been taught that saturated fats like butter and coconut oil will clog the arteries, create a pattern of high cholesterol, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and thereby cause heart attack, stroke and other chronic circulatory disorders. In truth, it is the low fat diet that is replete with refined starchy and sweet foods, along with most vegetable oils that create the inflammatory processes in the cardiovascular system, in turn leading to these imbalances. A Mediterranean diet that includes high quality fish oils, olive oil and butter from pasture-grazed cows prevents cardiovascular disease and increases vitality. And cholesterol becomes largely a non-factor for most people, because it has been recently discovered that moderately high cholesterol levels are not risk factors for CVD after all! The bottom line: High quality fats are essential for great circulation!
  3. Endocrine System: Continuing briefly the discussion about cholesterol, this is one of the substances that is vital to the proper functioning of the endocrine system. Our bodies make the bulk of cholesterol, which is a hormone in and of itself, and relatively small amounts are contributed via the diet. Certain fats – especially fats like butter, ghee, fish oils and virgin/extra virgin coconut oil – can be catalysts to help the body produce and maintain the proper ratio of hormone activity in the body to keep the entire endocrine system balanced. This is true especially for children and expectant/lactating mothers, but applies across the board to all people. The bottom line: High quality fats are essential for proper functioning and balance of the endocrine system.
  4. Nervous System: Here, we refer to the brain and spinal cord – the body’s computer system. High quality fats like fish oils, butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and nuts like walnuts are essential for brain functioning! These not only help develop and maintain the ability to focus and sharpness of mind, but they also help prevent debilitating illnesses like Alzheimers Disease, also known as Type 3 Diabetes. And for growing children, no diet should be without a good amount of these fats. Children need carbs, veggies, fruits, proteins and plenty of fat in their diet. This can help prevent or address disorders like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum disorder, or malnutrition. The bottom line: High quality fats help create and maintain proper brain functioning.

Our ancestors knew what to eat in order to be as healthy as possible, even before the advent of modern medicine. Honoring some of those traditions, especially the high quality fats, may surely contribute to greater health, more vitality, and longer life. And nature always provides the best to bring about and maintain balance, health and wholeness.

But don’t take my word for it – at least not yet. Check out these books and website links first – and then throw the Crisco, margarines, and bottled vegetable oils away, and replace them with the real food fats: extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, butter from pasture-raised cows, avocados and whole nuts and seeds.

If you have questions or need more help with this, please contact me.

References

  1. Weston A. Price Foundation
  2. Selene River Press
  3. Mercola
  4. Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon
  5. Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill by Udo Erasmus
  6. Coconut Cures, by Bruce Fife
  7. Back to the Basics of Human Health: Avoiding the Fads, Trends and Bold-Faced Lies, by Mary Frost
Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , , , , ,
30
Sep 2019

It’s Time to Eradicate Type 2 Diabetes! – Part 3 of 3

By

In this final article in our discussion of type 2 Diabetes, we will examine the effects of diet and nutrition as major contributors to this preventable disease.

In both the development and the treatment of type 2 Diabetes, nutrition is the key.  Poor nutrition is the great contributor to type 2 Diabetes, and proper nutrition begins to rectify type 2 Diabetes and bring the body back into balance, or homeostasis.  The body is awesome and phenomenal in that if a disharmony is not too far-gone, it will heal itself!

So let’s look at the nutritional aspect – what went wrong – and how to repair some of the damage in order to turn this type 2 Diabetes epidemic around.

Empty Harvest

Agri-BusinessIt all began with the Industrial Revolution.  The Industrial Revolution, which started toward the end of the 18th century in the United Kingdom, Western Europe and North America, is a period of history where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions, and continues to this day.  The Industrial Revolution is directly or indirectly responsible for some wonderful modern amenities, especially in the realm of engines, machinery, and computer/internet technologies.

Where agriculture and manufacturing are concerned, however, the quality of nutrition has changed dramatically in the following ways:

  • Farming has shifted from families and communities to huge agribusiness conglomerates
  • Agribusiness capitalism introduced the use of more pesticides, herbicides and fungicides to increase yield
  • Overuse of soil and non-rotation of crops created depletion of soil nutrients, therefore depletion of food nutrients
  • Deforestation, overuse of soil and use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides caused topsoil to be depleted – literally blown away with the wind
  • Capitalism in manufacturing food products stripped foods of nutrients in order to extend shelf life
  • Synthetic additives and chemicals were added to boxed and packaged foods to extend shelf life
  • Synthetic vitamins were added to boxed and packaged foods to prevent diseases caused by nutrient depletion

These and other repercussions of the Industrial Revolution are a direct result of what we’re experiencing today with the type 2 Diabetes epidemic.  In our society, we are programmed to be driven by convenience and taste.  We live in a society where good nutrition takes a back seat to our comfort and taste buds.  And our taste buds find lots of comfort in sweet and savory carbohydrates.

Foods That Contribute to Type 2 Diabetes

Let’s now take a closer look at what foods are contributing to this epidemic:

Carbohydrates – especially refined carbs is a main culprit.  Some examples include macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, pasteurized and bottled fruit juice, desserts, sodas, alcoholic beverages, bagels, etc.  The list is very long!  Suffice it to say that sugar, white flour, processed juices and sugary drinks and all other refined carbohydrates are great contributors.  Essentially, these foods turn into sugar and fat, throwing the digestive and endocrine systems out of balance to contribute to the development of type 2 Diabetes.

Fats – not so much naturally occurring fats for the most part, but those man-made, invented fats that the human digestion and metabolism simply don’t handle well.  These include margarine, shortening, hydrogenated oils and vegetable oils.  This last one, vegetable oils, requires a little further explanation.

Once oil is produced from a vegetable (for example, corn), that oil is very unstable and goes rancid very quickly.  In order to extend its shelf life, the oil is heated to very high temperatures and undergoes a chemical process in order to allow for an extended shelf life and “stability” of the oil.  But this and other unnatural oils will eventually be rejected by the body, and/or create a digestive/endocrine disharmony leading to type 2 Diabetes (or some other chronic illness).

Fake Sugars and Excitotoxins – these include high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, saccharin, splenda, MSG and texturized soy protein to name just a few of the more common ones.  These are essentially chemicals added to foods that replace real ingredients to extend shelf life and enhance flavor.  In addition, these create addictions to foods and can ultimately damage the body’s digestive, endocrine and nervous systems and seriously deplete the adrenals.

What To Eat

If you are diabetic, it all depends on what stage of the illness you are in.  Remember, everyone has a slightly different situation, so before embarking on changing your diet, please be sure to consult with myself or another qualified, licensed practitioner to find out what would be best for you.

That said, the following are some general recommendations:

Carbohydrates – Eat all the vegetables you want!  Focus on leafy greens, green vegetables and other colorful veggies that grow above ground.  Limit other starches like potatoes, bread and grains to no more than 2 small servings per day, or less than 60 grams per day.  Veggies should make up at least 50% of your daily food intake.  Fruit should be limited to one serving per day, eaten with some sort of fat in order to slow down the process of fruit sugar entering the bloodstream (see below).

Proteins – In moderation, but more than starchy carbs.  If you are vegetarian/vegan and diabetic (yes, there are many vegetarians/vegans who are diabetic, due to the high starchy carb intake), easy-to-digest nuts, seeds, fermented soy (tempeh, miso, natto), high quality organic cheese and small amounts of beans work well.  For omnivores, fish, eggs and fowl may be consumed.  Two to three servings of protein per day for all diabetics are generally advised.

Fats – These are also in moderation, but are vital, especially when consuming fewer starchy carbohydrates.  Fats are important for many reasons, the most important being that they are catalysts for balanced hormone production, and help reduce inflammation in all chronic illnesses.  Foods like avocado, butter/ghee, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, nuts and seeds and their butters, and high quality fish oils will provide the best fat that the body needs to help with the healing process.  No need to worry about gaining lots of weight when consuming these types of fats in moderation – the body will metabolize and burn these calories first when the diet is low in carbohydrates.

Beverages – Water is the beverage of choice, though unsweetened herbal or green tea may also be consumed.

Other Considerations

  1. Find out if you have any food sensitivities or food allergies.  If so, you will want to eliminate those foods from your diet (at least for a while).  If you’ve been eating foods to which you are sensitive, these may have created the problem and may be key in addressing the disease, or even reversing the damage.
  2. Nutritional supplementation and/or herbal medicine are often necessary to help heal the digestive/pancreatic/endocrine systems.
  3. Cleansing the liver and other organs and pathways of elimination are vital to achieving and maintaining balance in the body.  Similar to the oil change that we do for our cars, cleansing the liver can be revitalizing, giving the body more energy, enhancing sleep, and allowing the body to more efficiently absorb nutrients.

Turn The Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic Around For Future Generations

There are several things that we each can do to turn this epidemic around and eradicate type 2 Diabetes.  Our future generations will thank us for it!

  • Eat organic!  Whether fruit, vegetables, dairy, eggs or other animal products, this gives a message to those who produce the food that a) we insist on healthy foods that are non-GMO, free of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides; and that b) there is proper attention and respect being paid to the soil and to the earth.
  • Eat locally grown foods.  Shop at your local farmer’s market and support the smaller farms.
  • Start composting and growing some of your own food.  You can do this even if you live in an apartment!  Alternatively, join one of the many community co-ops that are sprouting up where you can rent a small plot of land that will allow you to grow food.
  • Stop eating boxed and refined foods.  Prepare your own meals as much as possible, preferably from scratch – even if it’s just once a week!
  • Eat to live, rather than live to eat.
Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
20
Aug 2019

The Wheel

By

Hamster in a wheelI’m sitting in the garden in a comfortable wooden chair, underneath a lovely shade tree.  My feet are propped up on a table.  Sweet scents of lavender, rosemary and other herbs and flowers offer an atmosphere of peace, spiritual reverence and physical convalescence here at Tassajara Zen Mountain Retreat Center.

To be quite honest, I have needed this respite for quite some time.  I was definitely “on the wheel,” feeling like I was running in circles.  Even with good nutrition, exercise and sleep, life was beginning to feel out of balance.

Ah, “the wheel.”  When thinking of “the wheel,” the image arises of a pet mouse in its little cage that walks or runs on its wheel (kind of like a treadmill…) because it seems to be the only choice – like it has to.  For human beings, there are two aspects of being on the wheel.  One is the notion of always having to do something, be somewhere, work-work-work, in order to be successful, which ultimately creates imbalance in life.  The other is the emotional aspect of continual fear-doubt-worry, of needing or wanting to change something that may be out of our realm of control.

Being on the wheel contributes greatly to stress, which in turn creates and contributes to chronic illness and inflammation – especially when nutritional and other imbalances also exist.

Tassajara provided just the respite and the balance I needed.  Nestled in a canyon surrounded by mountains of the Los Padres National Forest, Tassajara is, in essence, a Zen Buddhist Monastery that accepts guests from April – September.  Originally land of the native Esselen people, Tassajara was established by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in the 1960’s.  Very little of the environmental landscape has changed; few modern amenities are available (no wi-fi, cell phone reception or electricity).  But there are sulfur hot springs, plenty of time to read and meditate, lots of stars and crickets at night, honest, loving, caring people, and excellent vegetarian food!

Of course, I also took a small supply of acupuncture paraphernalia with me and did some self-treatments.  These helped me to be willing to get off the wheel, balance my organ systems, calm my spirit, and chill out.

In essence, I enjoy all of what I do.  Non-doing is also a vital part of being a Human Being.  Non-doing rejuvenates, re-aligns, allows for groundedness and centeredness.  I am realigned with my purpose; I continue to enjoy what I do, and love life even more.

I recommend the same for you.  Even if you are unable to go to a place like Tassajara, get off the wheel for a few moments.  Have a cup of tea.  Quiet your mind.  Take a deep breath.  Know that all is well.

Categories: The Healing Place Blog
08
Aug 2019

It’s Time to Eradicate Type 2 Diabetes! – Part 2 of 3

By

In Part One of this extended article, we outlined some of the various elements that make type 2 Diabetes a mosaic of chronic illness. We examined how each organ system plays a part in type 2 Diabetes, and how each organ system is affected by type 2 Diabetes.

In this 2nd part, we will outline and briefly examine some of the causes of type 2 Diabetes.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

There are several very important causes of type 2 Diabetes which must be addressed in order to successfully prevent, treat, reverse and ultimately eradicate the disease. Addressing only one of the causes may bring some improvement, but often will not bring the complete results sought after. Some of the causes of type 2 Diabetes include:

  • Poor Nutrition
  • Genetics
  • Sedentary Lifestyle
  • Iatrogenic
  • Stress

Let’s take a look at and examine each one of these causes:

Fast FoodPoor Nutrition – This is indeed a major key both in the development and in the treatment of type 2 Diabetes. It is a well known fact that poor nutrition in the form of too many refined foods, packaged foods, fast foods, junk foods, white flour and sugar contribute greatly to the development of type 2 Diabetes. In addition, the advent and widespread consumption of hydrogenated oils and trans-fats further add to the break-down of the digestive system in general and the liver/pancreas complex in particular.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1800’s, foods have been increasingly produced in the world-wide marketplace to encourage maximum production, extended shelf life, and enhancement of taste – for maximum financial benefit of all the industries involved: agribusiness, meat, poultry, dairy, etc. In addition, topsoil and nutrient depletion of the soil is a result of poor standards of food production. This is a major factor in the upward worldwide trend of type 2 Diabetes, making nutrition a vital cause of the illness.

Genetics – Western science has asserted that genetics can play a factor in the development of type 2 Diabetes. There is a certain genetic factor prevalent in some ethnic groups, including those of Asian, African and Native American descent. This genetic factor may increase the chances of developing type 2 Diabetes. Interestingly, this gene seems to be most prevalent in individuals of Asian descent. According to the American Diabetes Association, Asians who follow a traditional Asian diet do not tend to develop type 2 Diabetes despite the fact that they seem to have a certain protein that shuts down the insulin receptor, creating insulin resistance. So despite the fact of genetics playing a role in the development of type 2 Diabetes, it is promising to note that the actual onset can be avoided through proper diet and other measures.

The bottom line is that I do not consider genetics to play a major role in the development of type 2 Diabetes, as this can be largely controlled with dietary elements and good nutrition.

Sedentary Lifestyle – The human body is designed for balanced periods of movement and non-movement. In today’s society, the scales have tipped way too far to the side of non-movement. Our sedentary lifestyle of watching TV and the widespread use of electronics has become a significant factor in the skyrocketing numbers of those with type 2 Diabetes – especially among youth and young adults. There are several reasons why exercise/moving the body is vital:

  • Increases blood circulation
  • Tones the vascular system
  • Tones the muscles
  • Strengthens the functioning of the organs
  • Allows the body to utilize energy and burn fat more effectively
  • Moving the body is crucial in preventing and treating type 2 Diabetes.

Iatrogenic – This is a term that means that an illness is developed or caused by Western allopathic medicine. There are certain medications that can actually contribute to or exacerbate type 2 Diabetes.

One such category of medications is statin drugs that lower cholesterol. This is not to say that you should stop taking your statin drug – at least not without the close supervision of your doctor. But it does become somewhat of a “Catch 22,” because once type 2 Diabetes or even pre-Diabetes is discovered, many doctors will automatically prescribe a cholesterol-lowering statin drug along with any blood sugar lowering medication.

Blood sugar medications are another category that can actually exacerbate type 2 Diabetes by creating another type of “Catch 22” situation for the patient. In this case, the medication may create the problem of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, prompting the person to quickly eat something sweet (candy, orange juice, etc.) in order to offset the effects of the medication.

This, in the long run, can be counter-productive, and for most people becomes bare-bones management of type 2 Diabetes, rather than actual treatment and reversal of the disease.

Again, simply stopping the medication(s) without a concrete plan and close supervision from your doctor is not advised, as it can cause more harm than good if you are already taking medications.

Stress – This includes worry, emotional upheaval and long-term depression. It is said that stress is the cause of all chronic illness, including type 2 Diabetes.

Think about it: how do you feel when you are happy, playful and carefree? By contrast, how do you feel when you are angry, fearful, frustrated or sad? These latter negative emotions, if held onto long-term, affect the body in non-optimal ways. Stress affects:

  • The entire digestive system, including the pancreas and liver
  • Sleep patterns
  • Hormone secretions, including the adrenals, thyroid and sex hormones
  • The nervous system
  • The immune system

This area of stress can perhaps be the most challenging and complex area to overcome in the treatment of type 2 Diabetes.

In part 3 of this extended article, we will discuss an optimal multifaceted plan for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes, focusing on nutrition and stress reduction.

Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
22
Jul 2019

It’s Time to Eradicate Type 2 Diabetes! – Part 1 of 3

By

Spoonful of SugarIn 1900, the average American consumed the equivalent of 4 pounds of sugar per year. Today, that number is 150 pounds per person per year, or about 3 pounds per week – and is steadily climbing! In 1900, incidences of type 2 Diabetes were rare. Today, just over 100 years later, type 2 Diabetes has inundated the world in record-breaking numbers and in epidemic proportions. The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2030, about 8% of the adult population will be Diabetic, and the mortality rate of those with type 2 Diabetes will have doubled from that of the year 2005.

Originally a disease of the affluent, people around the world and of all walks of life are developing this illness – an illness that is largely preventable.

It is my intention and a primary goal of mine to do whatever I can to eradicate type 2 Diabetes. I want to let you know how this has happened, and what we can each do to reverse this crazy disease that is wreaking havoc in our societies.

Type 2 Diabetes is an illness that represents what I call a “mosaic” of several disharmonies. This article will outline those various disharmonies.

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body has trouble processing sugar in the blood. Normally, the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that serves as a catalyst to remove sugar from the bloodstream, and places the sugar into the tissues, which is in turn used by the body for energy (or stored as fat if the energy is not used).

But when too much sugar and starch (which also turns into sugar) is consumed, the pancreas and digestive system can’t process it all. The tissues become resistant to allow the insulin to process the sugar. This is what is known as insulin resistance. Therefore, the sugar remains in the blood, sending blood glucose levels higher and higher. Type 2 Diabetes occurs mostly in adults and seniors, but is increasingly occurring in children as well.

When there is too much sugar in the bloodstream, all of the body’s main organ systems may be affected. Let’s take a look at each system:

  1. Cardiovascular – glucose in the bloodstream causes inflammation of the vessels, causing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Over time, continued high blood sugar readings will affect the blood circulation in the extremities, causing numbness, tingling and eventual necrosis in the feet and hands, as well as erectile dysfunction, impotence and blindness.
  2. Gastro-intestinal – aside from gas, bloating, and elimination problems, the most obvious thing that relates to type 2 Diabetes is weight gain. Sugar turns into fat when not used as energy – and so weight gain occurs in 85-90% of type 2 Diabetics, with the bulk of the weight gain occurring around the waistline.
  3. Kidneys – these react by trying to filter the sugar out of the body, so people with high blood sugar will find themselves urinating more often. The body becomes dehydrated, so then the person will become thirsty. On top of that, the average Diabetic will not crave water, but rather something sugary and/or dehydrating, like soda, lemonade, juice or beer.
  4. Lungs – in Chinese medicine, the lungs regulate the releasing of fluids via perspiration. Diabetics will tend to have more spontaneous sweating, day and night. This will further deplete the body of vital fluids.
  5. Endocrine – when there is an excess of glucose in the bloodstream, all aspects of the endocrine system are out of balance. The endocrine system comprises glands like the pituitary, hypothalamus, adrenals and thyroid, releasing hormones that regulate every day bodily functions. The pancreas and liver are also integral parts of the endocrine system. They communicate closely with the other parts of the endocrine system as well as the brain. For instance, insulin, released by the pancreas, is a hormone of the endocrine system. Other hormone imbalances occur when there is an imbalance with blood sugar. The symptoms of these can be many, for example, insomnia, undue fatigue, the inability to lose weight, or cravings for sweet foods.

Many people have imbalances in one or more of these vital body systems, but never stop to think that it may have something to do with high blood sugar. It is wonderful to know that by normalizing blood sugar, many of those other symptoms may recede, allowing the body to become balanced once again.

I am excited to bring this leading edge information to you about blood sugar and type 2 Diabetes, and how to avoid it, control it – and yes – possibly reverse it!

This article is the first of a series on type 2 Diabetes. The next article will offer information on the causes of type 2 Diabetes. Part 3 will examine what to do to treat and possibly reverse Type 2 Diabetes.

Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , , ,
29
Jun 2019

Delicious Cleansing Green Beans

By

Delicious cleansing green (long) beansOne of my favorite foods is green beans (aka string beans). The Asian variety is known as long beans; these are my absolute favorite, as they have no strings to speak of, are easy to clean and prepare, and are very tender. These are excellent in stir-fries. Green beans can be used for stir-fries if they are young, or for soups or stews if they are a little tougher and stringy. For ultimate cleansing, they can be eaten raw, juiced or blended with other vegetables into a cleansing drink.

Green beans are the ultimate liver food. They have the wonderful quality of detoxifying the liver. There are carbohydrates/starches in green beans so that blood sugar doesn’t bottom out. And, they are an excellent source of fiber to help sweep out debris from the colon. For a Fall cleanse, green beans can make up an important part of the cleansing process.

According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), green beans are warming and have a sweet taste. In addition to cleansing the liver, they can be used to help alleviate fullness in the chest, burping, cough, hernia, chronic diarrhea and back pain due to kidney weakness. Green beans are also very energizing and tonifying to the body, addressing fatigue and weakness due to deficiency.

The accompanying recipe is very adaptable. It can be used during a cleanse, as a side dish, or as a main entrée with added cubes of tofu, tempeh, chicken or other meat. It is delicious for any occasion. Enjoy!

Stir-Fried Long Beans:

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ pound mushrooms, sliced. Shiitake, Portobello or brown button mushrooms are all good.
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
½ medium onion, sliced thin
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 bunch Long Beans, rinsed and cut into 3-inch pieces (or one pound Blue Lake or French green beans, ends snapped)
2 Tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, Tamari or Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil

  1. Heat olive oil in wok or skillet. Add the mushrooms and the ginger; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add onion; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add garlic and long beans. Stir-fry to mix ingredients.
  3. Add Aminos and sesame oil. Cover, lower flame, and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , ,
12
Jun 2019

Dr. O’s Greens!

By

KaleWe all know the benefits of eating greens. They are nutritious, have good fiber, are detoxifying, and contribute to overall great health.

The recipe offered below is an Afro-Asian style of greens that I like to prepare. I was told to post it, so here it is! Note: I never measure ingredients, so all measurements are approximate. Please use your own judgment.

These greens can be served with your favorite rice, corn bread, and/or protein of your choice. Enjoy!

Ingredients (Organic is always best):

3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
5-7 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Bunches Collard Greens (or mix with Kale), washed and sliced thin
½ Head Green Cabbage, washed and sliced thin
½ Lemon, juiced
1-2 Tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
Himalayan or Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
1-2 Tablespoons Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions:

  1. Heat coconut oil in a good-sized pot.
  2. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic.
  3. Add the greens, then the cabbage.
  4. Let simmer down a bit (10 minutes?)
  5. Add lemon juice & Bragg’s Aminos.
  6. Simmer another 10-20 minutes (or transfer to crock pot and cook on low for 2 or more hours).
  7. Add apple cider vinegar and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve hot; serves 6-8.
Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , ,
12
May 2019

The Art of Tai Chi – Dilligent Practice!

By

Yin Yang SymbolI have recently returned from a week-long Tai Chi Spring Intensive training in Idyllwild. Master Tung Kai Ying taught a wonderful group of us to go deeper in understanding and moving through the various Tai Chi forms we have been learning. It was indeed inspiring! It was hard work, but also a great respite. The clean, mountainous setting of Idyllwild was ideal – fresh, cool air and water, lots of sunshine, and great camaraderie.

Tai Chi Chuan is a moving meditation originally practiced by the Chinese for the past few millennia. Also known as shadow boxing, Tai Chi is a widely practiced martial art that physically develops balance and coordination, as well as enhances emotional and physical health. Tai Chi combines deep diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements, both isometric and isotonic, while maintaining good posture. The movements flow almost imperceptibly from one into another with grace and beauty.

There are numerous styles of Tai Chi Chuan to choose from. The most widely practiced are Yang, Chen, Wu and Sun styles. The movements range from very slow and large to quick and compact. Each style also employs various exercises and has several forms within the one style. For example, Yang style has several standing meditations, slow forms, fast forms, and several other martial arts practices, sometimes using weapons such as knives or swords, and sometimes with an opponent. In fact, Tai Chi Chuan is considered a martial art much in the same way as Kung Fu, Aikido or Capoeira.

Tai Chi is part of a larger philosophy and way of living that strengthens the body, eases emotional stress, and facilitates an acceptance of one’s own peace. That larger philosophy is incorporated by traditional Chinese medicine, and more specifically, the concept of Qi (pronounced chi). Qi is the life force energy that flows through each of us. When this energy is in abundance and flows properly, an individual is generally in good health, not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. If the Qi becomes depleted, blocked or stagnant, imbalance and illness will usually result.

Tai Chi builds energy in order to maintain an abundance of Qi, and also to keep the energy flowing properly in the body.

The benefits of Tai Chi Chuan are numerous. As a meditation, it calms the mind, allowing one to become more focused and in tune with the Higher Self. Many studies have been done, both in the East and the West, as to the positive health benefits of Tai Chi. Equivalent in aerobic activity to walking about 6 kilometers per hour (3.5-4.0 miles per hour), Tai Chi helps to lower blood pressure, ameliorate cardiovascular function and improve or facilitate breathing.

Tai Chi ChuanThe slow, deliberate movements lubricate and strengthen the muscles and joints, break up stagnation and allow for the smooth flow of Qi, thus making this a wonderful exercise for those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Regular practice also helps in the prevention of osteoporosis and improves balance, thereby reducing frailty and falls. Its meditative and exercise components indeed make Tai Chi helpful for all types of chronic conditions, as well as to maintain good health.

While it is true that people who are approaching their elder years tend to be more attracted to Tai Chi Chuan, this moving meditation is for people of all ages. Tai Chi Chuan is a great way to achieve and maintain a strong, supple, flexible, youthful and peaceful body, mind and spirit.

Back at the Academy here in Los Angeles, I find myself loving Tai Chi Chuan more than ever. My body feels stronger, my mind clearer and calmer. I endeavor to maintain and grow in that strength and calmness. I know that there is really only one way to do this: Diligent Practice.

Resources:

  • www.tungkaiying.com
  • Tung Kai Ying, Learning Tai Chi Chuan. Kai Ying Tung Academy of Tai Chi Chuan, Los Angeles: 2012
Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
27
Feb 2019

Happy Lunar New Year!

By

Year Of The Wood GoatWelcome to the Year of the Wood Goat/Sheep! Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, falls on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice. This year’s Lunar New Year was Thursday, February 19.

If you are born in a year of the Goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015), you are generally believed to be gentle, calm, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice. Goat people have a special sensitivity to art and beauty and a special fondness for quiet living. They are wise and compassionate and can cope with business matters cautiously and circumspectly. In their daily life, they can be economical. They are willing to take good care of others, but they may tend toward pessimism and hesitation, and would do well to avoid these traits.

Although they look gentle on the surface, they are tough on the inside, always insisting on their own opinions. They have a strong inner resilience and excellent defensive instincts. Though they prefer to be in groups, they do not want to be the center of attention. They are reserved and quiet, most likely because they like spending much time in their thoughts. Goat people like to spend money on fashionable things that give them a first class appearance. Although Goats enjoy the finer things in life, they are not snobbish.

If Goat people are in mental and emotional good spirits, this should have a positive effect on their physical health. They should get out among nature and commune with the great outdoors. Fresh air, trees, sunshine and high-quality food will all do wonders for their health. Goat people should have a regular schedule for meals and keep their sleep and waking times consistent.

Generally speaking, Goats are private. Therefore it may take time and effort to get to know those who are born in a year of the Goat. Goat people seldom share their personal lives. This is the reason why many Goats may have few intimate friends. Once they become friends, their friendship is peaceful and fulfilling. They work hard for those they love.

There seems to be some ambiguity about whether this is the Year of the Goat or Sheep. The Chinese character can refer to either of the animals. However, in terms of traditional Asian culture, the zodiac symbol is said to be more likely a Goat. The Sheep is honored because of its docile nature, and because it is so adored – very “cute”, and producing wool for warmth and milk for food.

May this year 2015, the year of the Goat/Sheep, be the best year ever for you and your loved ones! May you enjoy peace, joy, prosperity, and most of all, love.

Categories: The Healing Place Blog Tags: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »