Running on luck?

I'm engrossed in reading 28 at the moment.  It's 28 people's stories of AIDS in their lives - healthcare workers, truck drivers, wives, children, army workers, nurses, doctors and lots more.  It's making me realise so many things about how lucky I am for so many reasons.  It's also giving me more insight into the world that Jeremy and Camilla Sherr (along with various volunteers) are living in every day.  And making a difference everyday.

I feel a little like my options to help are limited with what I can do from here in the UK so as a consequence of this I've decided to run my Olympic distance Triathlon as a fundraiser.  My aim is to raise £1k to help Homeopathy for Health in Africa carry out it's amazing work.

My warm up event went well and I really enjoyed it (I think on each of the event pics I've a huge smile and this was a fair reflection of the event) - maybe more pushing = faster = better triathlete but that was never the goal for me.  To complete, survive (in the opposite order of importance) and most of all to enjoy myself. I more than succeeded. And I plan to echo that with my fundraising mission too :)

If you can help at all I'd be so very grateful (and I know the project would be even more so).  It's such an overused phrase to say that every little makes a difference but it really, really does.  Just here to donate...

With massive love and gratitude in advance,

Em x

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!

 

Workshop 'Juices and Green Smoothies' a practical, hands on evening

Really excited to be preparing for my workshop on juicing and smoothies (including healthy, delicious green smoothies) and so looking forward to running the session.  I'm planning on making it as hands on as possible so whilst I've lots of information to share, recipes to suggest and general chatting to do, I'm going to have at least 2 juicers and blenders to play with (including my very lovely shiny new Vitamix... I've never made so many excuses to blend things before!)

I've spent around three years regularly making fruit and veg juices a part of my diet, sometimes juice feasting/fasting for a week or so and other times merely having a juice a day as a supplement to food or meal replacement.  I would say I never really 'got' green smoothies until this year or so but am totally, resolutely on board about the power of green smoothies, often as a meal replacement drink.  This works great for me as I'm often on the go and don't always want to have to sit and eat a meal but I know I'm getting masses of goodness and will feel full for ages.

So really my aim is to empower people to feel confident to make these wonderful additions to their diets and to achieve their goals.  If I can just start you off on the path to this I'd be really happy.  Do get in touch for more information if you'd like.

20th March 7.30-9.30pm in Embsay (exact location tbc).  £15pp including tasting sessions and a juice/smoothie to take away (please bring a flask).  To book call 07734 861297 or email em@homeopathyskipton.co.uk

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 :-)

Low Cost Clinic Success

It was fantastic to have a full session at my turn with our new low cost clinic run by the homeopaths at Craven Clinic.  My January session is nearly full whilst there are still a couple of places on my session in December.

It's great to be able to offer this service through the clinic and I would ask as a favour that you are able to share the information about the clinic with friends and family so that as many people as possible can get to know about us, that we're there and that the low cost service is available should they need it.

Low Cost Homeopathy Clinic opens in Skipton

It feels like it's been ages in the pipeline but am excited to say we're now running our low cost Homeopathy clinic from Craven Clinic, Skipton.

Currently available the first and second Tuesday morning of the month between 9.30am and 1.30pm and one Friday afternoon a month 1.30-5.30pm. The cost is £25 for an initial consultation and £20 for a follow-up appointment.

The low-cost homeopathy clinic has been set up by three experienced homeopaths: Linda Gartland, Jonathan Coles and Emma Colley, and aims to make homeopathic treatment available to as many people as possible. The clinic offers our usual high quality service, but at a reduced cost, to make it more affordable to people who might not otherwise come for treatment.   

A holistic, non-toxic, non-addictive form of medicine made from natural sources, homeopathy helps the body rebalance and strengthen itself both physically and emotionally and can be used alongside conventional medicine.

The clinic offers consultations to people of all ages for a wide variety of short and long term conditions, including asthma, eczema, arthritis, migraines, digestive disorders, hormonal problems, sports injuries, stress and anxiety related conditions.

Patients will always see the same homeopath for their treatment and will be offered up to six sessions (more by negotiation), generally on a monthly basis. 

For more information call 01756 796690 or email info@cravenclinic.co.uk

Skipton Triathlon to Ironman: the Alternative Way

Ever since I joked in with a coach after a swimming session that I'd go from a sprint distance triathlon to an ironman distance it's been something I've come back to - I call it my 'Em does Ironman fantasy', and so far each time a member of our Triathlon club does an Ironman Tri I've had it... fortunately there's not been too many competitions as yet...

The fact I've not run for years, not ridden a bike for longer and am not competitive at all haven't quite put me off as yet - I am hooked on the swimming element (particularly in open water - although maybe I have to get beyond the enjoyment and drinking in the views and get on with doing it properly now and again).  I'm planning Skipton Triathlon next year which'll be at least a start...  Listening to other athletes did get me thinking about the alternative bit - could you do it without resorting to conventional medication for aches, pains and strains?  Doing what I do, I'm confident you could and thought would share a few of the remedies I'd put together in a kit for this sort of thing...

Arnica often features highly which you'll realise if you've read any of my other blogs.  This is probably the most well known homeopathic remedy of all and is wonderful for helping to ease bruising and soreness.  As a quick aside I've had times on a night I've dropped something on myself and been convinced I'd have a great big sympathy inducing bruise the next day - taken an arnica and there's been nothing to see in the morning - it really is amazing!  It is also brilliant to help with tiredness - great if you're travelling to an event to help with jet lag, and also good to just help you find that bit of extra energy at times when you're really flagging.  Great as a first remedy to take in cases of shock or accidents too.

Hypericum is most well known as being useful in injuries to nerve rich areas - such as trapping the fingers in a door, falling on the coccyx or lacerations from sharp instruments.  Pains are extreme and feel to shoot along the nerves - they're better for warmth.

Ledum is great for puncture wounds such as from insects, the area is swollen, blue and cold but feels worse for heat and better for cold.  It's also particularly useful in black eyes - great for those swimming mass starts.

Ruta grav is an excellent remedy for pain in the joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilidge and bones and can be really useful for injuries to the wrists and knees.  It's helpful for weakness in the joints or tendons and has been beneficial in cases of tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.  Also can help to relieve low back ache and painful bruised feeling in the bones.  Worth remembering in repetitive strain injuries.

Rhus Tox is useful in sprains and strains with stiffness accompanied by restlessness.  The pains are usually around joints which ache and feel stiff and sore.  Pain is worse on first movement, with a tearing or stitching sensation but eases after continued movement.

Silica is the first remedy to think of where you need assistance in helping out splinters or other foreign bodies.  It can be helpful to assist in forcing out hard plugs of ear wax (especially after swimming) but do remember not to use if if you've metal pins, grommets, pacemakers or the like. It can also be used in helping painless wounds that are suppurating and slow to heal.

Last but not least, I thought I'd mention Aconite, not as a recovery but can be handy as a preventative for colds - if you take one tablet at the first sign of cold symptoms you may well be able to head off the cold - thus making competing more enjoyable.  It's helpful too for coughs and colds that come on quickly after being exposed to cold dry winds.

Taking remedies is a bit of an art in itself and I think an important thing to remember is that homeopathy works with the law of the minimum dose - take a pillule and wait, listen to your body - you may not need another tablet or you may wish to repeat once symptoms return.  If you've tried 3-4 doses of the remedy with no effects it's probably worth checking that the remedy is well indicated, it might be another would help you more.  Check out alternatives or speak to a professional homeopath to get more guidance. 

Olympic flag, Athens

Serious injuries and illnesses should never be treated without seeking expert advice. Use your instincts and common sense, if you are worried then call for help first and you can give the appropriate remedy whilst you are waiting for help to arrive.  If symptoms show no improvement or return always seek professional help.   

Happy prescribing!

Emma Colley RSHom BSc(Hons)

Craven Clinic, Skipton  01756 796690 or 07734 861297 www.homeopathyskipton.co.uk  em@homeopathyskipton.co.uk