Is it your Turn to Wear the Ugly Sweater?

We all too often look at our dis-ease or life difficulties like a punishment. We wear them like an ugly sweater. All the time looking for understanding, some compassion, and the solution. However, desperation, depression, self-pity, anxiety, anger, fear can take root, deep in our soul. This is when we are open to listening, willing to change, asking for prayer, become laser focused on ourselves and our health. Pretty much willing to stop the merry-go-round single handed and get off to any destination other than where we find ourself.

I ask...Why wait?

Why wait for the difficulties? Why wait for a disease? Give yourself the permission to get off the merry-go-round right now. If this speaks to your heart, you know the one I am talking about. Or maybe there is more than one. We wait, thinking it will change. But things don't change, people change. We are only in control of ourselves. We need to change. When our body says it's tired, too tired, too stressed out, exhausted, do we listen to it? If we keep saying that we are sick, unhappy, financially broke, spiritually unfulfilled...we set ourselves up for dis-ease and difficulty.

Don't get me wrong, difficulty and disease do have a purpose. We do learn many lessons during those trying times. They are the "gifts" that we have been dealt. We don't understand that at the time of diagnosis or the day something drastic changes everything, but over time if we open our heart and mind, we see that it is all good. It was something we needed to happen. That the change would never have come about and the future could not unfold the way it was meant to. We discover our gifts that are given to us by God above and learn how to use them to help others. Our own experience, our ability to "make it through" our lessons can be used to guide others down the same path. It makes us more empathetic, sympathetic, compassionate to the same in others.

Again I ask...Why wait?

Today, turn your thoughts, your difficulties or diseases that cause you to struggle, back into the gifts that they are. Ask yourself these questions below and then email me with your thoughts about what you have learned. (truenorthholistic@gmail.com)

1. Before my dis-ease/difficult life challenge, how did I feel about someone with this situation?
2. How have my feelings about my situation changed over time?
3. At what stage of acceptance am I at?
4. At what stage of learning am I?
5. How has this situation changed me?
6. How do I feel about others in the same situation as I am now?
7. What lessons have I learned about myself?
8. What lessons can I share with someone else going through this?
9. How has this situation been of benefit (even in a small way)
10. Have I grown in some way from this?
11. Am I open to change?
12. Can I see this as a gift yet?

Holistic Nurse consultations are available at www.cornerstonetohealing.com

Summer is Naturally Healthy

Who can imagine what life would look like without what we are accustomed to?

Take for instance, what every season brings us. It's probably different depending on where you are located in the world, but we all get used to looking forward to certain things with each passing season.

Summer in New York means sunshine! Weather that allows us to plant our food gardens and our flowers. It's naturally healthy if you realize what it gives you the opportunity to do.

Summer brings people outside after the winter. We see our neighbors again. We venture to the stores, on vacations, the parks, the concerts, the plays, the celebrations that make life so special.

It's just naturally more healthy for us. Besides the tax rate, this is why many of us up north, go south for the winter. It keeps us moving and active instead of needing to hibernate. I know some of us have winter sports that keep us going. I just see the difference in people's attitudes when summer finally rolls around.

4 Keys to Safely Unlock the Power of Summer

1. Reminder-The risk for falling in highest- Don't even think, not me, because I said that until I fell. Consider that your hip muscles may have weakened over the winter months. We have been sitting down more and shuffling our feet, Pick up your feet. Spring is a time that we tend to fall because we forget that when we are outside we need to pick up our feet. 
2. Sunshine is great but you may get too much - If you are taking vitamin D in the winter, you may want to cut back if you go in the sun often. (ask the MD) We make our own when the sun hits our bare skin. Are you anxious to get started on that tan? While it doesn't seem too hot, it's alot of direct rays between 11am and 1pm. Only stay out 15 minutes at a time. Use coconut oil to tan or sunscreen to prevent overexposure. If you are golfing or doing other sports, keep hydrated by packing water (nothing else is equal to water)
3. Everything in Moderation-you may be tempted to overdo- All those "Better Weather" chores have been piling up from the winter, or maybe even last fall. Going great guns may be too much depending on your winter activity level. Ramp up slower if your winter was full of TV shows, puzzles and bowling. Get back into the gym and outside walking before you go breakneck speed on those projects. There is also no sin in paying someone else to do the things that you can't do or can't manage to do. Getting that "to do" list down to minimum relieves stress.
4. Eat some dirt- Either plant a few herbs, a little garden or visit your local farmers market. We lack good dirt in our diets. Ask if they are using any pesticides or if they are organic/non-GMO. Educate yourself on eating healthier for your blood type, how to eat to better control your medical conditions, what your symptoms are telling you are lacking in your diet, go to a local meetup group that supports healthy eating, serve fresh foods, not processed at this year's celebratory event at your house.  

Summer is here, see what you should be doing by visiting my website: Click Here to go to my website

Holiday Traditions and Making the Holidays Unexpectedly Healthy

What's Your Tradition?

Just thinking about the holidays gives me a childish grin. All those wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen and filling the house. All those fun dishes that we only see on special occasions come flooding out onto the meticulously arranged table with the special occasion dishes, silver, glasses, bowls, table cloths, napkins candles and more. It's so festive and fun.

But when we think of making those dishes healthy, a bit of dread comes over us. How could it possibly be healthy and still the same? 

Mindset matters. What is important about our longstanding family traditions? It's the reason we are gathering together in the first place. Focus on the reason behind the tradition. Make everything about that and not so much about the actual food. 

Make some little tweeks to the menu:

• Serve a few more fresh fruits and veggies by arranging them in decorative ways

Use your imagination to

create an amazing table.

Ask people to join in the fun and decorate a plate to bring to dinner.

But focus on what is really important...each other. If you spend the holidays alone and that is not what you prefer to do, get out of the house, go to the soup kitchen and serve the less fortunate, take something to the neighbor, appreciate that you have this day and you can do with it what you choose. 

What is naturally healthy for a holiday is not just about what you eat, but what may be eating you. I have a way of easing into and out of the day that gives me the best day I can have. But, it's up to me. I can be upset, ugly, stressed...or I can choose to be accepting, flexible, tolerant and approving with myself and others. 

FOCUS on what is good, happy, healthy and life will appear to give you more of that.

To you and yours, may all your holiday traditions have a little more natural health included. I want to see you next year and many years to come!

~Sandra

Simply Healthy

3011 Rochester Rd.

Lakeville, NY 14480

www.simplyhealthy4u.com

800-503-0483

The Doctor Says I Have Fatty Liver...What is it and What do I do?

• Fatty liver is literally a liver that is full of fat
• Sugar and starch will turn on the fat production factory in the liver
• sugar is the single biggest cause — #1 source of calories in the American diet
• Fatty liver creates inflammation, which in turn creates pre-diabetes and diabetes
• Causes high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease
• Fatty liver is a huge risk for heart attacks
• We are seeing children needing liver transplants due to fatty liver
• The root of the problem is what you are eating
• First step is to cut out all sugars including, high fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, corn syrup, artificial sugar
• Next, reduce or eliminate processed foods, white flours, white rice,white bread,rolls, cakes etc. 
• Add vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, lean animal protein, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and watch your portion sizes
• Exercise improves insulin resistance, weight loss, and reduces fatty liver
• Add detox foods, broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, garlic and onions for wellness inside and out!
• Get going with help and the support you need to get and stay well naturally  www.simplyhealthy4u.com (Look for whole30)

Back to School

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait until that last day of school? Remember all the things that you "got into" in that summer vacation?
Well, then I am sure you remember the butterflies that ran around in your stomach as that 1st day back to school became a reality.

Our kids, our future, are more stressed out than ever before. You probably have had to sit through at least one family story of "when I was your age" we didn't have a bus to ride, we had to walk miles to the nearest school house. We didn't have a hot lunch, we had to share a thermos of soup the teacher brought in. We didn't get new clothes to wear and we were just fine...all trying to point out that things have changed over time. Things are not what they used to be.

Things have changed, we have progressed, we have overcome much of what our ancestors had to endure. We live a pretty cushy life compared to them. But has this cushy life had drawbacks? What will we be telling our grandkids about the good old days? Well for me, it's telling my daughters, "I can't imagine trying to raise kids in this tech age. We didn't have cell phones, laptops or constant phone conversations with our friends and relatives and never with strangers on social media. We didn't have the stress that you have today. As women, we had the choice of working or not working away from home. "

As your kids or the kids you see out the window of your home or car are crossing the road, getting on a bus, congregating on the street corner, say a little prayer for them. Their world is much different. How they will evolve will depend on everyone that influences them.

Then if you are a teacher, a mom, a dad, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, big brother, volunteer, aide, principal, all school staff....realize that you have a big responsibility in growing, shaping and influencing each child within your reach. Take it seriously. Bring your "A" game every day. Remember how difficult it was to be a kid. Growing up is not easy. Be patient, kind, thoughtful, understanding, willing to listen, observant, serve with heart and stay well yourself so that you can be the best you, that you can be.

Blessings Always,

Sandra

Natural Treatments for a Better Life

Natural Treatments for a Better Life

1. Avoid Food Triggers

Diet plays a key role in both physical and mental aging Here are some foods to avoid to help prevent the development of cancers, diseases, and cognitive disorders.

• Sugar and processed foods — Eliminate sugars as well as processed foods. This helps to greatly reduce inflammation in your body. 
• Gluten — If you have celiac disease, IBS, brain fog,diarrhea, constipation, allergies, you may have a gluten intolerance. Cut it from your diet for 2 weeks and see how you feel.
• Aluminum — Aluminum is toxic, avoid foods package in aluminum and also make sure you’re not using any aluminum pans to cook with or any baking powder with aluminum. Check your deodorant for aluminum, they will say "has no aluminum" on the front if it's safe to use.
• Any food containing toxins or additives — These foods can possibly be neurotoxic. The best way to avoid toxins and additives is to completely avoid processed foods. Better to eat less good food than to be full of toxins.
  
• Alcohol — Best to avoid alcohol all together since it can cause brain cells to die faster than normal. Try other modes of stress relief.
  
• Tap water — Water often contains environmental toxins, some of which could be damaging neurologically, so opt for purified/filtered water, no plastic bottles please.

2. Eat Foods that Heal

Eat nutrient-dense real food, good fats and filtered water.

Here are some examples:

• Organic, unprocessed foods — You want to eat foods that are free of harmful, brain-damaging, inflammatory pesticides and additives like MSG, GMO foods (modified) processed and preserved with chemicals.
• Dark leafy greens — Consuming dark leafy greens like kale and collard greens can protect you from free radical damage. 
• Berries — A great fruit choice, berries are low in sugar but high in anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
• Wild-caught fish — Great sources of natural omega oils
• Avocados — The good fat found in avocados can help lower depression and anxiety. Avocados have wonderful oils with healing properties
• Ghee — Ghee’s levels of butyrate reduces inflammation in the digestive tract and throughout the body. 
• Anti-inflammatory spices — Make a point to use anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger on a regular basis.
• Green tea — Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants that help fight off free radicals that cause disease.

3. Take Beneficial Supplements

If you are eating whole, natural foods, you may still need some nutritional supplements. It's best to make an appointment with me to see what those might be. Each person is unique and the same supplements are not needed by everyone.

4. Exercise/Movement

I know you have heard that physical movement is a key part of fighting depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, diabetes and co-morbid conditions as well as improves our physical function. Research also shows that exercise can slow the progression of cognitive decline in people with dementia. Physical activity during the day is also a great way to prevent nighttime restlessness and allow more restful sleep.

5. Pet Therapy

Assuming there are no allergies present, animal therapy can be excellent for anyone. Especially those who live alone or are lonesome by nature.

6. Massage 

What’s sure to lift a person’s mood and also help them to relax? Massage! Additionally, massage helps with circulation and detoxification. Even a brief rub of the shoulders can make a world of difference in reducing tension and we all need that human touch!

7. Aromatherapy

The use of Doterra Essential Oils, like lavender, and sweet orange can be very helpful. Frankincense oil and rosemary oil are also great choices for Lewy body dementia since they both support brain function and neurological health. You can use these oils in a diffuser. You can also put two drops of frankincense oil on the roof of your mouth twice daily and rub rosemary oil into your scalp after a shower.

8. Music Therapy 

Listening to soothing music on a regular basis can help to reduce stress and promote wellness and healing.

9. Daily Mental Stimulation

To prevent and slow the progress of any kind of mental decline, it’s very helpful to find ways to stimulate the mind on a daily basis. Doing crossword puzzles and playing games that use thinking skills, computer work,reading books,magazines or newspapers, are great options. 

10. Peaceful Environments

Wherever we retreat to at the end of the day, should be relaxing and safe. Get uncluttered, organized enough, and make sure you enjoy your surroundings. Light a candle, infuse some oils into the air, cut some flowers, keep your favorite mementos within sight to increase your joy.

If you want to improve any of the areas above and would like someone to guide you ...call me 800-503-0483 to make an appt.

Stay well,

Sandra

INFLAMMATION - Friend and Foe

First, let's take a closer look at some facts...

TRUE: Inflammation in our body is a normal, healthy response to injury, or in response to a germ or a virus.
TRUE: You can often "see" it, as redness or swelling or "feel" it as pain and heat.
TRUE: The inflammatory response is to get more nourishment and immune activity to the area that needs it.

Now let's take a look at some things that are NOT true...

FALSE: We can ignore the signs of inflammation because they are usually a healthy response.
FALSE: We have to take a medication when signs of an inflammation appear.
FALSE: Our bodies never cause inflammation unless it needs to.

Inflammation can escape it's normal bounds, and potentially cause illness such as autoimmune disease (Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus). These affect the whole body and slowly damages it from the inside out.

So, what is the answer to capturing and stopping this escaped convict?
Well, you may not believe it...but it's what we are eating. Plain and simple...it's GMO foods. They are genetically engineered and our body responds with inflammation. This biochemistry is not what our bodies are made for. Whole foods that have not been altered, processed, preserved are the only things our body loves to consume.

How do we know what is GMO? The list keeps growing, but here are a few that I have memorized for myself and our family as "DO NOT EAT" foods.

• corn, corn oil
• soybeans,soybean oil
• animals that have been fed GMO food
• canola, canola oil
• sugar beets
• hydrogenated margarine/oil
• farm raised fish
• cottonseed oil
• packaged/processed foods
• papaya
• meat containing ractopamine
• flame retardant drinks (contain bromated vegetable oil- BVO)
• food with artificial color, dye or flavorings
• arsenic laced chicken ( fed arsenic laced foods)
• Bread with potassium bromate
• olestra,olean
• preservatives BHA & BHT
• Milk and dairy products with rBGH ( make sure they say theirs doesn't have it -read this statement carefully as they can say it doesn't make any difference instead of they don't have it in their product)

5 Poisons allowed by the FDA

• MSG (monosodium glutamate)
•  Sodium Nitrate (check meats)
• Aspartame ( artificial sugar)
• Hydrogenated Oils
• High fructose corn syrup ( check every label because you won't believe how they have included it in everything along with sugar. Sugar feeds cancer.

Don't be discouraged by this information. I know it can be overwhelming at first. But, I just want you to "awaken" to the fact that you have to read labels in order to stay healthy. 

Staying healthy takes time to master. I have been on my own journey for several years and I still haven't nailed it. It's learn and learn some more. Things keep changing. 

Here is my recommendation/suggestion. Start forming a small group of friends that are interested in getting and staying healthy. Get together for healthy meals, start conversations around health and gardening, activity and having fun. Make it a natural part of your life. It won't seem so much like work. Oh, and of course, get a naturopathic/holistic minded person in your life that you can see when you are stuggling with something, to help you sort it out. 

Can't find a holistic nurse? Contact me. 800-503-0483 (eastern). I do phone consults (take credit cards) for your convenience. I just want you to live long, healthy and happy. 

Let me know if this was helpful will you?

Sandra