One for the ladies

It's early days but I really didn't feel that I could keep this to myself.  

Can we talk periods?

In my job I get used to chatting about everything - periods, snot, poo, wee, blood, random strange thoughts, urges, desires, dreams and more that I don't think there's any topic that's really taboo with us homeopaths.  However if you're not OK to chat periods then probably best I see you next time.

I do think there's so many people out there who struggle with pain, bloating, discomfort, tension and worse.  People who dread the breast swelling, soreness, and their families who always know when it's 'that time of the month'.  The cravings for chocolate/chips/cheese/insert other unhealthy option that you know you 'need' then will feel worse for having eaten.

I've just finished my first month (5 days into month 2 now) on 100% high carb, low fat raw vegan foods after a two week transition period (funnily enough no pun intended but I'm leaving it there!) and aside from feeling great which to be honest people had warned me plenty of times about, I've also found that on raw foods you need to eliminate less waste from your body.  This can mean all sorts of different things - most people eating a high raw and definitely a 100% raw diet report less colds/viruses/flu like symptoms than ever before in their lives for example.  And the more I've read, the more I've discovered that the 5-7 day menstrual period that is generally accepted as the norm - is not, in fact neccessarily something that happens either.  If there isn't a build up of toxins and there are plenty of vitamins and minerals in your diet it would appear that heavy bleeding is unlikely, pain, unusual and PMT unexpected.

There's a fantastic article that I read today and would urge you to go and read.  I could replicate lots of the information but it's well written, if a little wordy, explains brilliantly - and besides there's lots on my list of things to do... so I'm going to go off and do them just as soon as I've highlighted this bit:

What has to change in the diet in order to eliminate menstruation? Foods which contribute to toxemia are no longer eaten. Foods which build health, and especially strong connective tissue, without taxing the digestion are the only foods eaten. The body is helped to eliminate toxic wastes built up over past years of poor lifestyle and diet. Without doubt, the hardest part of this change for most people is the first one. It means no more eating foods which sludge up or acidify the body. This means eliminating animal products - meat, fish, dairy, eggs -- refined sugars and salt, and dramatically reducing grain foods and even processed plant fats (oils). The diet essentially must become "true vegetarian", or vegan, with a predominance of fresh raw fruits and vegetables rather than cooked. In particular, the greater the proportion of raw fruit in the diet, the less likely you are to have periods.

"Women who eat a vegetarian diet containing mostly raw food experience only brief periods, scarcely noticeable, with hardly any loss of blood. Dr. H. G. Beiler in his book, The Natural Way to sexua| Health, explains that women experience troublesome periods only because of the toxic condition of their blood brought about by the high fat and protein Western diet." (5:298)

At least 50% and ideally more of every meal should be raw, and that eaten first. This is so that the enzymes present in the raw portion can help the body digest the whole meal, including the cooked portion.

 ... and given you the link for the article:

http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=982094

 Do have a look. It was eyeopening to me. And amazing that I've had 20 years of periods before I had any idea about this.

With love,

Em x 

There have been times I'm sure I could have eaten my body weight in chocolate.... not missing those days one bit!

 

The stuff dreams are made of (well mine anyway)!

I'm 10 days into my raw food 21 day transition and have to say (well OK maybe I don't HAVE to say but it's my blog and I'm going to) I feel fantastic!

I decided to go with a slower approach for a few reasons but probably one of the main ones would be that I've some veggie meals from leftovers in my freezer that I'd like to use - and as I have a feeling that I'm moving towards a way of life as opposed to a temporary diet then there's no time like now.

I think also it's probably hard going to tell myself that's it - no more cooked food but now that I'm allowing myself this time for cooked evening meals I'm chomping at the bit to get going on 100% raw (which if I stick to my plan is this Saturday onwards).

So this week which is my week 2, I'm having a green smoothie for breakfast (largely fruit - bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries or mangoes - mixed with greens - most days baby leaf spinach) and then a raw meal for lunch. Today's lunch was spaghetti (made with grated courgette) marinara and a tomango soup - both of which were delicious.

Week 1 was merely swapping a breakfast for a green smoothie - all of which I enjoyed. I can tell that my tastes are changing as they seem even more delicious second time around.  They were also filling and I was never hungry - an easy way to start the process.

The last couple of days I've woken at 6 (once from my alarm and once just before 6) and felt really energised and ready to start the day.  It's a feeling I remember well but I've not had for some time (maybe juicing detoxes excepted).  I feel energised - and more motivated to get out and do things. Such as run at lunchtime in the rain.  Liking it. A lot.

It might be raining outside but it's sunny in my kitchen :)

Juicy Lucy?

Juicy Lucy? Not here (although with 24,000 people in 45 countries taking part I imagine there must be a few) here though Juicy Em is loving the World's Biggest Juice Detox.  The great news is it's not too late to join in - or if you wanted to start and go from a Monday to a Sunday just get going on Monday 14th January for an insight into how light - mentally and physically, how nourished and toxin free you can feel.

For some the first couple of days can be tough as you withdraw from caffeine (not lots of fun but when I did it it really showed me what a powerful drug caffeine is), maybe also from drug-like foods such as sugar and overly processed morsels.  However this behind you, the energy boost, clarity and general all round well being is phenomenal.

I've been juicing on and off for a few years now which you'll probably know if you've read my blog before.  The World's Biggest Juice Detox ran for the first time last year and, taking part this year I can really recommend the motivational videos, inspiring messages and support from, not just Jason Vale but other's taking part on the facebook and twitter pages. Stepping away from the 'norm' can be hard and everyone wants to know if you're getting enough food, if it's healthy, where your protein is coming from and a multitude more questions.  Having this reinforcement through these channels goes a long way towards not feeling so isolated.

So if you're sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and looking for a spring board into better health and an amazing 2013 consider joining in.  Having followed the same program before I know I've felt amazing, my eyes have sparkled, I've had lots of energy and felt GOOD!

Simply raw, juicy goodness. Thank you world :-)

Thoughts on joy...

 The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.   Jim Rohn

 I remember a time for me that the quote above from the great, late Jim Rohn sums up well.  My ex-husband had just moved out, there was me and our soon to be 1 year old daughter and I was, at times unable to sit and read a book to her.  It was just a bit too much to face.  I still have the book, as much because she loved it as to remind me of then - in a very positive way.  I've come so far. We all have.  I knew that that time wouldn't last forever and I wouldn't hurt one day like I was doing then.  

I also had moments (which is why I mention the time at all) of absolute peace, bubbling joy and excitement about life.  They came, not from my mind which was quite occupied with my 'story' at that time, but from somewhere deep within me, the me without the past or future - the me that was truly present in the now.  It could be some blossom on a hawthorne bush or birdsong which could have stopped me in my tracks but the most pure feeling of absolute joy would wash over me.  I shut out neither, and experienced both as fully as I could.  (Big, big thanks to any of my amazing family or friends who may be reading this and were there then - I may never be able to repay your fabulous support!)

Fast forward 4 years and I've finally got around to meditating more regularly (which has been an intention for years), re-discovered Byron Katie and discovered Eckhart Tolle (and the Tao Te Ching, The Prophet and many others thanks to The Dynamis School).

There's been lots of times of joy in between, and plenty of learning experiences but never as much lasting peace and joyfulness as there is right now.  A combination of a great homeopathic remedy, my Mindful Meditation month, Byron Katie's 'Loving What Is' (really makes so much sense to me - you're not going to stop the rain by complaining so let's get on and learn to dance in it!) and Eckhart's Power of Now have all come at a great time and would recommend them to everyone.  Starting, of course with a great homeopathic remedy....

Yours, so very happily,

Em