Monthly Archives: August 2008

Optimism Helps Cancer Patients

Posted on August 28, 2008 by continuum wellness| 1 Comment

New research indicates that cancer patients who are optimistic can better manage pain. Having a sense of mastery enables a cancer patient to reduce pain. This however is not new knowledge. We all know intrinsically that the ability to smile and to face adversity with inner strength is ultimately an essential skill we all need. And such a skill will help one to master life’s challenges of which an illness may be one.

Anyone who can use their mind in a way to maintain optimism is wise indeed.

“These findings underscore the need for physicians and nurses involved in the care of cancer patients to recognize, encourage, promote, and take advantage of these traits in their patients to help them more effectively manage their cancer care, so that they ultimately can achieve a better quality of life,” Dr. Margot E. Kurtz and colleagues from Michigan State University in East Lansing, the study’s authors, conclude.

SOURCE: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, July 2008.

Posted in cancer, healthy mind

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Diverticulitis Research on Eating Nuts, Seeds and Popcorn

Posted on August 28, 2008 by continuum wellness| 2 Comments

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory condition of diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is the condition of pouches, like outcroppings, developing usually in the lower portion of the large intestine also known as the sigmoid colon. The inflammatory condition may produce abdominal pain. Pain in the lower left abdominal quadrant is suggestive of diverticulitis.

Who Gets Diverticulosis?

The condition is common for those over 40 and by the age of 60 at least half of the population has this complaint. It is more common in men than women.

Dietary Considerations

Patients with this condition are often advised to avoid nuts, popcorn, seeds. A recent study of 47, 228 men was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It showed that there is no increased risk of eating of diverticulosis as a result of eating the formerly forbidden foods. The report suggests that the recommendation to avoid these foods to prevent complications should be reconsidered.

Anthropological studies show that cultures where people eat high fiber diets rarely have gastrointestinal disorders. These disorders are more common in diets high in meat, white flour products and dairy.

Healing Suggestions

If your doctor informs you that you have this condition, get to work! Let the healing begin. Nothing comes out of the “blue”. Learn to listen to your body. How do you feel after you eat? Are you irritable, sluggish, weak or angry?

  • Examine your diet.
  • Move more.
  • Reduce the size of your waist. Several studies have indicated that a trim waist (waist-hip ration) is indicative of reduced risk of developing certain chronic diseases.
  • Whole grains
  • Vegetables
  • Legumes

P.S. Those in the natural health arena of all stripes were already aware of the causes of this condition and how to prevent it. It will be really wonderful when all healers will be able to work together to help heal the sick.

Posted in medical news, Uncategorized, Western diet

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Incense May Pose a Cancer Risk

Posted on August 27, 2008 by continuum wellness| 2 Comments

According to a recent study inhalation of incense over long periods may lead to cancer of the upper respiratory tract. The incense smoke doesn’t apparently lead to increased risk of lung cancer.
The type of incense used isn’t mentioned. Cheaper quality charcoal and incense ingredients should be avoided when one is purchasing incense. Some incense producers using inferior ingredients and extend their use adding various extenders, such as DPG (dipropylene glycol methyl ether).

DPG Signs and symptoms of exposure from Osha.gov

1. Acute exposure: Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat may occur and be associated with symptoms of burning, itching, runny nose, and nose and throat soreness. At very high concentrations, central nervous system impairment may occur with sleepiness, headache, inability to concentrate, and other symptoms of narcosis [Sittig 1991].

2. Chronic exposure: No signs or symptoms of chronic exposure to dipropylene glycol methyl ether have been reported in humans.

Potassium nitrate is another chemical that is often used in the manufacture of charcoal.

Incense is wonderful to cleanse your space to uplift the vibration and also useful to change your mood to a more tranquil state. Incense is also synonymous with religious/spiritual ceremony.

To make your incense experience healthy seek out quality blends made with quality ingredients.

Posted in Uncategorized

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Back to School: Feeding Children Healthy Lunches

Posted on August 26, 2008 by continuum wellness| Leave a comment

by Catherine Carter

No need to be overwhelmed with packing the kid’s lunches. Packing a healthy lunch doesn’t require one to be a dietitian or a nutritionist it just takes label reading and a little planning. You will save money and build your young one’s health.

One of the challenges of the mid-day meal is that if it is too heavy it interferes with mental work. After all, nodding off in the classroom will lead to other problems. Have the children start off with a healthy breakfast of a whole grain cereal, such as steel cut oats. It’s good for mom and dad too. The oats have plenty of fiber and b-vitamins which are excellent for the nervous system, the brain and emotional stability. Add a protein shake for extra nutrition. Eating a nutritious breakfast cuts down on cravings and will enable you to make it to lunch time with out feeling famished.

Less Healthy Lunch Options
For lunch avoid processed meats, the salt, the sugar, the additives, the source of the meat itself all lend it to be not a great choice. Avoid white bread and sugary snacks. Avoid items with artificial colors. Repeatedly these substances, although labeled by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe” , have been implicated in aggravating hyperactivity and mood disorders. One last thing to avoid are sugary drinks. Young people are developing diabetes at an astounding rate and even fruit juice has been implicated as a factor. Consider diluting fruit juice with mineral water for a tasty lunch beverage.

Healthier Lunch Options
Prepare sandwiches made with whole grain bread. Use a tasty home made spread. It is cheaper and you have better control over the quality of the ingredients. And of course nothing can substitute for the love you put into it. Slice veggies like carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower with a dip. Use delicious nut butters for sandwich spreads. Bean burgers are very easy to make and are tasty alternatives to meat as are grain burgers. Adding a few nuts and seeds or a home made trail mix to the lunch box is tasty and nutritious too.

Posted in breakfast, children, diabetes, diet, family, food, fruit, lunch, mood changes, nutrition, teens, Uncategorized, wellness

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Weekly Reflection #19

Posted on August 25, 2008 by continuum wellness| Leave a comment

“He who suppresses a moment’s anger may prevent many day’s sorrow.”
-unknown

While there are some who believe it is better to let it all hang out, it can be much more redeeming to forgive and overlook the faults of others, or remove ourselves from a negative situation. Speaking out of anger helps no one. Once it is “out there” it is difficult to take back. A little forbearance can go a long way.

Posted in anger, healthy mind, quotes, spiritual development, spirituality, thoughts, weekly reflection

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Components of Healthy Food

Posted on August 24, 2008 by continuum wellness| Leave a comment

By Catherine Carter

All food is not the same. Of course nutritional content varies, the quality of the soil the food is grown in, the growing methods, harvesting method. The love and intention of the farmer to grow nourishing crops also contributes to the quality of the food. Part of learning how to detox is learning what to put in the body and what is best avoided.

There has been a subtle shift from food truly being nourishing and life sustaining vs. food looking good. Consumer studies show that shoppers do not like fruits and vegetables with blemishes so into the lab we go, to create food (?) that is blemish free. It may look good, however it doesn’t decay and it is tasteless.

And so we get sucked in, to externals. Form with no content. It looks good but it doesn’t support you living a vibrant life. It may help you to save (?) a few dollars…but how many more dollars are lost if you develop a chronic disease? National health care coverage should begin on the farm. National health care coverage has begin with healers. National health care coverage has to begin with Mom and Dad…and real, healthy, nutritious food.

In your quest for healthier living avoid:

  • Irradiated food
  • Genetically modified food
  • the microwave
  • hormones
  • pesticides
  • refined foods
  • refined flours and grains
  • the meat of factory farmed animals.

Make a start today, to reclaiming your most, vibrant health and well being. Small steps will provide large rewards.

Posted in detox, diet, food, healing, healing philosophy, Health, health benefits of food, health care, healthy body, healthy eating, healthy mind, nutrition, Uncategorized, wellness, women, yoga

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Simple and Easy Almond Milk Recipe

Posted on August 24, 2008 by continuum wellness| Leave a comment
almond flowers

almond flowers

Almonds can be used to make a delicious ‘nut milk’. Almond milk can be used as a nutritious beverage, in cereal and as a base for smoothies. Here are a few nutrition benefits of almonds:

  • Eating almonds has been shown to lower serum cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
  • Almonds are a rich source of phenolic antioxidants and vitamin E and have a demonstrated anti-oxidant effect.
  • Alkalizes the blood.
  • Helps to build up the body.
  • 1 oz of almonds = 164 calories, approx. 23 nuts, 6.0 grams of protein.

The following recipe is very forgiving and you can easily adjust the quantity of nuts/water to your personal taste, as in if you prefer a richer flavor.

Almond Milk

1/2 cup of almonds (soaked overnight)
2 cups of water
vanilla extract (optional) to taste
honey to taste

Place all the ingredients in a blender. Liquefy and strain the liquid. The pulp can be used in other dishes such as muffins or added to gravy.

Enjoy!

Posted in healthy eating, nutrition, nuts, recipes, Uncategorized

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Health Benefits of Chanting

Posted on August 21, 2008 by continuum wellness| 2 Comments

The study cited below (Dec 2001) cites the benefit of reciting the rosary or chanting. The practices promote calmness and improve heart and lung function.
Reciting Ave Maria linked to a healthy heart
Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study BMJ Volume 323, pp 1446-9

Reciting the rosary prayer or yoga mantras enhance some aspect of heart and lung function and might be viewed as a health practice as well as a religious practice, finds a study in this week’s Christmas issue of the BMJ.

Luciano Bernardi and colleagues recorded breathing rates in 23 healthy adults during normal talking, during recitation of the Ave Maria and yoga mantras, and during six minutes of controlled breathing.

Normal talking reduced the breathing rate more irregularly. Breathing was markedly more regular during controlled breathing, the Ave Maria, and the mantra. Both the Ave Maria and the mantra slowed breathing to around six breaths per minute, inducing a favourable effect on the heart’s rhythm.

The benefits of breathing exercises in the practice of yoga have long been reported, and mantras may have evolved as a simple device to slow respiration, improve concentration, and induce calm. Similarly, the rosary may have partly evolved because it synchronised with the body’s natural heart rhythms, and thus gave a feeling of wellbeing, and perhaps an increased responsiveness to the religious message, suggest the authors.

As such, the rosary might be viewed as a health practice as well as a religious practice, they conclude.

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Posted in mind and body, spirit, spirituality

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1918 Flu Survivors, Still Immune After All These Years

Posted on August 19, 2008 by continuum wellness| Leave a comment

The body remembers. When our natural ability to fend off germs and viruses or other factors that may produce an illness is strengthened we become healthier, stronger, more adaptable. Vaccines do not strengthen the body in the same way is if one develops natural factors in an illness. That is one reason why they, meaning vaccines, have to be repeated. It is not “true” immunity. The influenza pandemic of 1918 was brutal. Some estimates say that up to 50 million people worldwide died as a result of the infection. Those who lived…by the way, there are many case records of those under homeopathic care surviving, still have immunity against those “superbugs”. (article here)

Posted in health beliefs, health care, healthy body, Homeopathy, vaccination, vaccines

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Homeopathy – What’s Your Story?

Posted on August 14, 2008 by continuum wellness| 1 Comment

by Catherine Carter

It is common to hear or read about the power of story these days. It comes up regularly in therapy groups. I read an article where a photographer spoke of the story that each photographed piece has.

Story is powerful, as we are all unique. It is stupendous that while 99% or more of us is just like everyone else there is this minuscule part that makes us all different. We feel separate from one another, even though ultimately we are all one.

The power of story is also evident in homeopathy. Homeopathy is not “new age” medicine, though some co-opt it. Homeopathic remedies have been used in a number of ways. However in its essence and pure form, the healing art of Homeopathy has always been about story and meaning.

Personally, I find power in consistency. I find reassurance and a palpable substance in it. Let’s say a proving was done of a homeopathic remedy, a polychrest. I didn’t put polychrest in my glossary page, but it means a remedy of many uses. These remedies have been used extensively for hundreds of years now and the essential properties are the same, even if today we repeat the experiment. How cool.

One’s personal story in homeopathy ties your personal view, presentation, thoughts and way of seeing the world into a pattern that resonates with another, similar part of nature. You have heard how sometimes one may feel so alone? Isn’t it wonderful to know that on a deep soul and pattern level that one is not alone? In sharing your story with a homeopath and finding your particular remedy, that is where the journey of story takes you, from isolation to oneness.

Posted in healing, healing philosophy, Health, health beliefs, healthy mind, holistic, homeopathic proving, Homeopathy, nutrition

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