Fukushima FALLout . . . The unimpeded outflow of radioactive material from 5 nuclear power plants has not abated, so if you have stopped thinking about it – it’s time to think again as contaminated debris and marine life is pervading the Pacific west coast.

Step-up your cellular protection in the following ways:

• Avoid foods/drinks/products from Japan and Eastern China.  Stop eating tuna, pacific cod and taper off fish consumption in general (especially true for children).
• Drink carbon-filtered water or a combination of reverse osmosis-carbon filtered water (note that many bottled waters are NOT filtered and clean).
• Wash vegetables in water with a pinch of borax powder.  Consider growing veggies in covered greenhouses using filtered water that you can recycle. Most fallout arrives as rain/fog/dew.
• Reduce or cut out dairy products, especially cows as bioaccumulation from rainwater continues to raise cesium levels.
• Eat naturally occurring antioxidant-rich plants: fresh berries of all kinds, raw fresh vegetables, sprouted/naturally fermented foods and super-greens like grasses (oat, alfalfa, barley, wheat), spirulina, chlorella etc.
• Use adaptogenic herb that contain Nrf- stimulating phyto-chemicals on a daily basis (see What’s Hot below).
• Do seasonal bowel cleansing with substances that are known to draw out radioactive elements: clay, charcoal, and apple pectin.
• Eat sweeping fibers like flax, apples, chia, okra and some seaweed daily.
• Send out positive healing energy to the ocean and the earth and your body everyday.  Bless your food/drinks with your intention to heal yourself before you consume it.  Connect with nature in gratitude and listen for natural intelligence to guide you

 Here's some more information . . 

http://www.change.org/petitions/west-coast-senators-investigate-the-ongoing-danger-from-the-fukushima-nuclear-reactors

 

http://www.wakawfarmersmarket.org/0-24809-radiation-in-the-food-supply-still-a-serious-threat.html

and
http://www.themindunleashed.org/2013/08/at-very-least-your-days-of-eating.html

For more health tips on what you can do, go to my website: www.rainbowconnection.net and click to Holistic Health to read the article; Flourishing Through Fallout

This is truly the time to learn and practice the art of transmutation and transformation back to balance.  Nature has a lot to teach us in this regard so don't rule out what might look impossible.

 

July 2013

 

July means . . .it’s summer! . . . in the northern hemisphere where long days of sun bring us some of our hottest temperatures. If you live where it’s sweltering, you may also be living where air-conditioning is the primary way to stay cool.  In the interest of reducing greenhouse gases and avoiding the unhealthy transition from hot to cold and back, there are natural ways to stay cooler without missing the benefits (yes benefits!) of hot weather.  Heat that brings on a sweat can: cleanse the pores of your skin, burn fat and detox substances held in fat, increase overall circulation, relax muscles and help them stretch further, make it easy to eat more raw food, which is enzyme rich and strengthens digestion. 

Cool off naturally by . . .

Planning your outdoor activities in the early morning/early evening hours when it’s cooler.  Take short rests in shade if you are out mid-day.

 

Wetting your hair under your hat or helmet  if your are biking or hiking.  You can also wet your T-shirt or a thin cotton scarf that your wring out and wear around your neck.  Keeping head and neck cool is the most important.  Cooling the feet (standing in cold water) helps cool the entire body down.  Keep a hydrosol (distilled plant water) of rose or lavender in your refrigerator to spay on sunkissed skin.

Drinking more cold water and adding electrolytes like lemon, lime, apple cider vinegar, Celtic or unprocessed sea salt.

By adding hydrating plants to your water so your intestines can more readily absorb it.  These would include: chia seed, aloe vera juice, coconut water, flaxseed, marshmallow root. 

Make a tea of one or more of the seeds or marshmallow root by soaking 1 part of plant to 4 parts room temperature water.  Soak overnight, then strain and add the demulcent ‘tea’ water to your drinking water throughout the day.

Eating or drinking herbs that are naturally cooling diuretics:

Mints (all of them), cardamom, blue and black berries, rose petals, rosehips peaches (the fruit and tea of the leaf), melons, cucumbers, cayenne/chili, raddicco, dandelion leaf (bitter greens) and parsley and celery. 

You can make a Cucumber Cooler by . . . Peeling and coarsely chopping a large cucumber and putting this in a blender with 3/4 cup cool water, 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut water, a Tb of fresh squeezed lime juice and about a half cup of fresh peppermint leaves.  Frappe on high speed, then pour over glasses with ice - enjoy!  This refreshing diuretic is safe in pregnancy.

What’s Hot, What’s Not

What’s not hot is when bowel movements are irregular and less frequent as can be the case in travel, dehydration, unusual food combinations, etc..  What’s Hot is the 3-fruit, Ayurvedic (traditional medicine of India) herb combination called Triphala.  Triphala is an effective laxative that also supports the body's strength and has been a favorite herbal formula for thousands of years.  Because of its high nutritional value, Triphala uniquely cleanses and detoxifies at the deepest levels without depleting the body's reserves. This makes it a valuable herbal preparation for balancing the entire digestive system that can be used over an extended period of time.  It contains lubricating linoleic oil along with bitter anthroquinones that stimulate peristaltic action and promote the release of bile from the liver/gall bladder.  Constipation or irregularity is often caused by liver/gall bladder congestion, dehydration and poorly digested food.

Each of the 3 fruits are high in vitamin C and help to tone all levels of the alimentary canal; stomach/liver/pancreas, small intestine and large intestine.  Used over time, Triphala has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol, improve circulation and can help reduce blood pressure.  It has also been shown to improve liver function and has

anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties.

Here’s some more info at http://www.planetherbs.com/specific-herbs/the-wonders-of-triphala.html

The Short Answer . . . .

I used to be able to eat red meat, but now I seem to be allergic to it.  Hours after eating a hamburger I break out in hives and feel like my throat is closing – what is going on?

First I would ask you if you’ve have had any tick bites that caused a reaction of redness, swelling and itching or hives.  Research has shown certain tick bites can cause an allergy to alpha-gal (short for alpha-galactose), which is a sugar that ends up in the bloodstream after ingesting mammalian or red meat (cows, pigs, sheep, goat, etc.). The Lone Star tick, which originated in eastern USA injects alpha/gal sugar which triggers the body's immune system to produce antibodies to alpha-gal as a reaction to the proteins from the tick bite.   Then when you later eat meat, which naturally contains the alpha-gal sugar, the antibodies respond with a release of histamine, which can cause anything from mild hives (irritating) to anaphlactic shock (dangerous).  This reaction to red meats is becoming more common in the USA and is spreading west. The reaction is delayed because the sugar is in the animal’s fat cells and these take longer to break down. Another reason for histamine reactions to meat are the antibiotics, growth hormones and chemicals found in animal farming practices.  By only choosing to consume meats that are grass-fed, free range and hormone/antibiotic free, this reaction usually subsides.  Even for those who have the alpha-gal sensitivity, doing some blood and bowel cleansing and eating healthy meats, has shown to reduce or eliminate the reaction. 

Read more at

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/06/red-meat-allergy-likely-caused-by-tick-bites/#.UdGVGlOkDR0

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339642/Meat-allergy-caused-tick-bites-extremely-common-Hamptons.html

Theta Healing

Tap into the power of theta brain waves to facilitate spontaneous healing.  If you are familiar with lingering in those precious moments between waking and sleeping – that is the theta brain state. Our brain produces electrical frequencies, which change according to the state we are in. In deep sleep, our brain produces very slow delta waves, while in another sleep state and the time between waking and sleeping the brain produces theta waves. During meditation and deep relaxation, the brain broadcasts alpha waves and when we are in full activity, focusing on our tasks, beta waves. Our ability to easily shift from one brain state to another ultimately means mental flexibility and good functioning capacity in all aspects of life.  Children under 13 who exercise their imagination and creativity spend lots of time in theta state, as do those practicing or receiving shamanic healing or energy healing, or when losing sense of time (“zoning out”) on a long distance drive or engaged in a task. This ‘waking dream’ state (you can still hear/ have a physical awareness) coupled with the belief/faith in a universal loving power has been the root of countless spontaneous healings for centuries, but now folks are consciously learning to apply it to themselves.   

If we over-stimulate our brains with caffeine, sugar and stress, we get locked into the beta brain state.  While this state facilitates intensive learning, it also causes rigidity in behavior and reduces our ability to heal.  Taking some time out for day-dreaming, relaxing the mind in play, listening to music and chants (drumbeats) that move your mind to a deeper state is important to do. The theta brain state accesses the 'body-mind' which is the brain behind out cells - the subconscious.  This is where the body stores memory from trauma, past events and cellular impressions from before conception (remember you were also and egg in your mother's body throughout her lifetime).  Sometimes our body-mind is still operating under old beliefs, perceptions and understandings that no longer apply to our current state of conscious mind or life.  Working in the theta state can allow us to release and reprogram our cellular intelligence.  Read more at: http://healing.about.com/od/theta/a/poweroftheta.htm, http://thetahealing.blogspot.com

A Common Question . . .

I have high cholesterol – isn’t the cholesterol in egg yolks bad for me?

Well, not egg-actly!  It turns out that dietary cholesterol is NOT the primary influence on our blood cholesterol levels.  Our cholesterol goes up when we eat foods rich sugar and saturated and trans fats, especially those that are processed or low in essential fatty acids.  This is especially true if we skip healthy fats like olive oil, sunflower oil nuts/seeds and healthier monounsaturated fats.  Many people still associate eggs with poor heart health, but research has proven that regular egg-eaters (2 eggs per day) have normal cholesterol levels.  The yolks of eggs contain vitamin A, D, E, B12, choline, beta carotene omega 3 and lecithin, whereas the whites contain protein but no additional nutrients, so best to eat the whole egg.  Lecithin, omega 3 and choline are damaged when the yolk is fully cooked (hard).  Those 3 ingredients are also what helps the body process and manage cholesterol levels.  

Studies have shown that eating, even two-dozen eggs a week (something I am not advocating) will not influence cholesterol levels as long as the yolks remain soft.  My favorite way to eat cook them is on a bed of greens (nettles, kale, arugula or chard), after the greens have been cooking in the skillet with water and are soft, break the egg open on top and cover.  Cook low and slow Please note that free-range chickens produce eggs that have six times the amount of vitamin D, four times more vitamin E, eight times more beta carotene and three times more omega 3 fatty acids – chose wisely and practice moderation! Here's the nutritional analysis of eggs: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/111/2

And here are some fun facts http://www.incredibleegg.org 

My favorite morning eggs:

Place cleaned greens (nettle, chard, kale, spinach, arugula . . .) in skillet with water to cook gently.  When they are soft but not fully cooked, break the egg in the middle on top of greens, keeping yolk in tact and cover to cook on low heat.  As it is cooking, add crushed garlic to the outside on the greens and any other herbs of choice (oregano, marjoram . . ).  When the white cooked but yolk still soft.  Remove from skillet and put on plate.  Sprinkle with flaxseed, pepper and sea salt and a dash of virgin oil.  This is a nice recipe for cooking eggs without oil.  Adding the un-cooked oil at the end keeps it highly antioxidant!

Summer Skin

Our days of longest light – what a delight!  Summertime is a time of celebration and a time to feel the sun and fresh air on our skin.  Our largest organ synthesizes vitamin D1, is a barrier to pathogens and can release as much acidic waste as one kidney!  It is also vulnerable to damage by ultraviolet light, which is more intense on the planet at this time, so remember a little exposure of the skin can go a long way.  Here are a few ways to honor your skin during the summer months . .

1. Dry Brushing – all those dead skin cells that are still clinging to the top layer (epidermis) of skin can be helped off with vigorous short strokes using a natural bristle dry brush.  This accelerates detoxification and stimulates collagen production in the lower layer (dermis).  Try this before stepping into a bath or shower.
2. Salt or Sugar Scrub – you can buy a ready-made product or make your own (see below).  Massage the salt or sugar-plus-oil mix onto your skin (have a friend do your back) and leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.  Do not use soap afterwards, so the remaining oil nourishes.  On a hot day, refresh yourself by doing this procedure outside and hosing off!
3. Cover-up – protect your skin from UV exposure by using a natural sun block (uses zinc oxide or titanium oxide particles that reflect light back) or clothing that covers.  Avoid cancer-causing chemical sunscreen and watch out for the intensified rays when light mirrors off water (swimming, skiing and yes, foggy weather).
4. Nourish inside and out – eat anti-oxidant-rich foods that naturally protect skin and help with repair from sun-damage (all those summer berries, cherries and greens from the garden!).  Feed your skin topically with pure aloe, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, comfrey salve, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, rose or lavender hydrosol and essential oils that restore (rose geranium, sweet range, blood orange, lavender and carrot seed). 

Recipe for salt or sugar scrub:
Chose sea/pink/dead sea  salt (more detoxifying and drawing)  or brown sugar (more soothing and softening) and use 1/2-3/4 cup.  Add 1/4-1/2 cup jojoba or almond oil or the amount it takes to make a slop (about consistency of very wet oatmeal), add essential oils of your choice - some examples: lemon, grapefruit and lavender for stimulating, or rose geranium, ylang ylang and carrot seed for repair and mix well.

Chronic Poison Oak?

The Short Answer . . . .from Karin

I get re-occurring poison oak ever since I had a bad case of it – it may be systemic, how do I keep it from spreading?

Whether it is poison oak or ivy, the oils hunker down into the pores of skin and are easily spread by contact, moisture and heat.  It is possible for certain compounds in the oils to get into the bloodstream (termed ‘systemic’) although the mechanics of this are not well understood.  Treat any contact aggressively by washing well in warm (not hot) water) with a drying soap – Dr. Bronners peppermint soap works well and soothes itch.  Pat dry with a clean towel (all towels exposed to oils must be washed each time).   Make a paste of green or bentonite clay and tincture or tea of manzanita leaf, plantain, sage, oak bark, lemon or apple cider vinegar (or a combination).  Cover all rashes with clay and leave on as long as it stays on.  Do not use any lotions or oils on your body at this time – you want to draw out and dry up any oils in the rash. If you can keep skin exposed throughout the day that helps.  At night rashes can spread easily by unconscious scratching and heat.  Before bed, re-apply clay and cover area with loose, light clothing.  Never use the same clothes twice until rash is gone and do not touch the rash!  Stay out of hot tubs, baths and shower after perspiring exercise.  Once the rash is gone, you can take a sauna (as more oils may come out), but wash off well and do not use any body oils or lotions afterwards.  Monitor for the next few days to be sure rash is gone. Be sure to wash your free-roaming pets – they are a great vector of poison oak!

Homeopathic Rhus tox or Hylands Poison oak/ivy combination taken internally help decrease the tendency of rash to spread systemically and helps treat systemic cases.  Even better, take the homeopathic remedy before you are exposed. Calming teas like lemon balm, catnip, and linden help soothe and reduce the inflammatory response.  To move it out of your system use a combination of detox herbs that target lymph and skin: burdock root and/or seed, violet leaf/flower, red clover flower and yellow dock root.