Health Tips, Thoughts and Inspirations
The content of this blog will vary, dependent on the topic I feel led to share with you. My prayer is that it will be a blessing to those who choose to read it.
Making healthy choices is not always easy, even when we know what we should be doing to heal our body, mind and spirit. There are days I know I will feel better after a workout, but I honestly don't want to do it. I would rather lie in bed a little bit longer. Or maybe I tell myself that I have too many other things to do and need to forego the exercise. After all, company is coming! The house needs to be cleaned! School is starting soon and there is curriculum planning to do! I don't have time to plan and cook a healthy meal! I can come up with so many excuses. So what do we do about it? We may not always choose to invest in our health, but when we do, the rewards go past that one moment. It seems that when I do one thing that I know will enhance my health, it leads to other good choices. Starting my day with exercise, a protein smoothie, followed by prayer time is my favorite way to get going. Of course, there are days that I can't fit all of those things into my morning. Then I have to choose and do the best that I can. Maybe my exercise time will be shorter in order to have that precious one on one time with God. Or that quiet time might be shorter than I would like it to be. It is less overwhelming to change our lifestyle one small step at a time rather than looking at an overall big picture. It may not always be my ideal day, but I can do the best I can with what's available in the moment. This includes food choices, sleep, prayer, exercise, my thoughts. It is all equally important, with each decision affecting all the others. What areas of your holistic health need extra attention this week? And how are you going to nourish them? Take time to invest in your health. I promise that you won't regret it. "....I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10. Choose your abundant life, one decision at a time! First of all, you may be wondering what IS a pH level? Your pH is the balance of acid and alkaline in your body. If it is too acid or too alkaline, it will have serious affects on your health. Fortunately, this is simple to test and can be done in the privacy of your own home. Using pH litmus paper (available at most drug stores/pharmacies and also at Restoring Wellness), you can do both a urine and saliva test to determine your own pH level. The paper will change color to indicate whether your system is overly acidic or alkaline. A healthy pH level is between 6.5 - 7.5. Be sure to test before you eat a meal, rather than after. With our current SAD (Standard American Diet), being acidic is more common than overly alkaline. Why should you care about this? One of the biggest reasons is that cancer, along with other states of dis-ease, cannot thrive in an alkaline environment. Even if you are eating a basically healthy diet, your body isn't able to absorb the nutrients from your food if your pH level is off. Thankfully, you can bring your body back into balance with a change in diet which is great news! It doesn't require expensive medications! But it will require looking at your current diet and determining where the changes are needed. Some of the symptoms that may be experienced if your body is in a state of acidosis are: frequent sighing, insomnia, water retention, recessed eyes, arthritis, migraine headaches, abnormally low blood pressure, acidic or strong perspiration, dry hard stools, foul-smelling stools accompanied by a burning sensation, alternating constipation and diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, halitosis, burning sensation in the moth and/or under the tongue, sensitivity of the teeth to vinegar and acidic fruits, and bumps on the tongue or the roof of the mouth. What should you eat? Raw foods maintain the correct acid/alkaline balance in the body and are also richer in nutrients and easier to assimilate. Increase your raw food consumption to at least 50%. Limit protein intake to no more than 80 drams a day and grains to 8 servings or less. Slow down while you are eating and chew your food to aid digestion. Digestion can have an impact on your pH level also. If your body cannot process your food intake, it will strain the digestive system and in turn your entire bodily function. In this case, enzymes are a must along with probiotics. Both are available in my on-line store and at my office. /store/c1/Featured_Products.html Alkalosis (less likely) can create symptoms such as sore muscles, creaking joints, bursitis, drowsiness, protruding eyes, hypertension, hypothermia, seizures, edema, allergies, night cramps, asthma, chronic indigestion, menstrual problems and a calcium build up in the body, as in bone or heel spurs. It is often the result of excessive intake of alkaline drugs such as sodium bicarbonate (Tums) for the treatment of gastritis or peptic ulcers. It can also be caused by excessive vomiting, high cholesterol, and osteoarthritis. If this is the case, you will want to adopt a diet that is 80% whole grains and includes beans, breads, brown rice, crackers, lentils, and nuts. Do not use antacids! They are masking the problem rather than healing it. To deal with heartburn or acid reflux, consider trying Gastro Health Support from Healthy Reflections, listed in my store. /store/p3/Gastro_Health_Support.html If you find that you need to balance your pH level, consider printing out a list of the foods that will help your body return to a more healthy state found at Energise for Life. http://www.energiseforlife.com/acid-alkaline-food-chart-1.1.pdf It's worth it to put in the effort now and avoid more serious health issues later! Is it possible to eat healthy within my budget? The answer, thankfully, is YES! It can be done! It takes planning, but it is possible. Here are a few tips to get you started: 1. Eat food in season and check our your local farmer's market. Foods that are in season are less expensive since they are more easily accessible and also more healthful for your body. When possible, shop at your local farmer's market. It will cost less than the same item in the grocery store. Why? The produce you find at your farmer's market hasn't traveled hundreds (or more) miles. The costs and environmental issues connected with food that has been shipped a great distance are eliminated. It supports your local growers, rather than the "middle men," keeping the money in your area. And of course, it has been allowed to ripen naturally, which also increases its nutritional value. If you have children, take them with you to help pick out their favorite vegetable. When it's something they have chosen, they are more likely to eat it. If you visit the market towards the end of the day, you may be able to get whatever is left for a lower price because the farmers do not want to pack it up and bring it home. But remember to be fair! This is their living! 2. Shop the sales and buy extra. For food that has a longer shelf life, watch for sales and buy extra when it is on sale. This will work well for frozen vegetables or fresh foods that you can freeze yourself. If you don't like the prep work, watch for frozen vegetables that are on special. 3. Plan your menu around the weekly specials. Before planning your menu for the week, check the current items on sale. Are they things your family will eat or be willing to try? It's can be fun to try new things and it will also help you to be creative! Planning your menu may seem daunting, but it will save you money and the nightly stress of "what's for dinner." Overwhelmed by the idea? Check out the Plan To Eat app at www.plantoeat.com. You can download your own recipes, plan them out, and it will organize your grocery list for you. I love this tool! 4. Make a shopping list and stick to it. Again with the planning....I don't know how many times I have gone into the grocery store without a list and ended up coming out of there with a big bill and nothing to make for supper. It's frustrating, isn't it!? I have been amazed at how much less waste there is when I do the planning beforehand. Throwing food away is throwing money away. 5. Try less expensive cuts of meat or compare the cost of getting directly from a local farmer. Meat can be expensive. The less expensive cuts can still be prepared in a way that makes them tender (and delicious!) using the slow cooker. Skin-on chicken thighs will cost less per pound than skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Not only is it better for you to get it with the skin and bones still intact, it also has more flavor! Don't be afraid of healthy , natural fat. If you can find someone local to buy your meat from, you can ask them if it has had any hormones, antibiotics or other drugs. 6. Modify leftovers. Not a fan of leftovers? Alter them a bit and it's something completely new! For instance, you can remake leftover chicken into salads, soups, or wraps by incorporating more vegetables, greens, a side of rice, stretching that chicken into lasting a few meals. 7. Meatless Mondays (or any day that works). Change things up! There are plenty of meatless recipes that could fit into your budget! Search the internet for something that looks appealing and easy. Beans and whole grains, like quinoa, freekeh and brown rice are an inexpensive and tasty way to bulk up meals, and can even be a meal in themselves. Eggs are also a great source of protein and can be eaten at times other then breakfast. 8. Grow your own food. This may not always be a possibility depending on where you live, but it is inexpensive and rewarding to grown your own food when you can. Greens are easy to grow! Check this website for more easy to grow veggies. http://www.sunset.com/garden/fruits-veggies/easy-edible-plants/easy-edible-plants_7. Square foot gardening has also become a popular concept, making it possible for more people to grow their own produce in a small area. 9. Eat at home. Making homemade meals rather than eating out or ordering in will not only save money, but you will be eating healthier since you control what is put into the food. Oftentimes, when we eat out there are also beverages ordered along with it that add to the cost quickly. 10. Focus on nutritional value per dollar. When you factor in the vitamin/mineral content of a fresh avocado, apples, and sweet potatoes versus a bag of chips, 12-pack of pop, ramen noodles, or whatever packaged food it is, what are you really getting for your dollar? However, there are some fruits and veggies that can be more cost effective than others. Some of your best "deals" in the produce section can be kale, broccoli, leafy greens, spinach, carrots, watermelon, plums, bananas, and pears. What are your tips for eating healthier on a budget? Please share in the comments below! I would love to hear from you! Recently, I went through a time in which I was tired of trying to live healthfully. I was tired of planning healthy meals, tired of being concerned about my family's choices, tired of attempting to help them to make better ones, tired of searching for local food options, scheduling (and doing!) workouts, researching the latest health news and supplements. To sum it up, I was tired of the fight. I even began to think that it wasn't worth it. The cost, the planning, and even (at times) the stressing over it. As He often does, the good Lord reminded me of why I'm on this path. I remembered the sight of my husband hooked up to tubes that were pumping chemotherapy into his body. The news that he had cancer, having to tell our children, the surgery, treatments, the emotional and mental toll it took on not only him, but our entire family. Although it was "only" two rounds, the lasting effects on his body that we are still dealing with have been something I wouldn't want anyone to go through. Healing continues through detoxing and nutrition, but it has been a long road. I am thankful beyond words that he has been cancer free for 5 years, and I want to do everything I can to make sure this continues. I hear many comments about the high cost of eating healthy. "I can't afford produce." "The organic stuff costs too much money." "It's too much work to change." "It's too hard." "My insurance won't cover a natural health practitioner (or supplements), but will pay for a visit to the clinic." Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do about insurance companies. However, what does it REALLY cost when our health takes a nose dive? Medical bills, prescriptions, missed work and/or school, the worry and stress of it all. It counts up quickly. If our bodies have been out of balance for a longer length of time, it leads to more serious health issues which can be devastating in ways that extend far beyond the financial. Are there unhealthy habits (and the costs that go with them) that we can replace with healthy ones? We can spend more at the grocery store (or with a local farmer) now, or we can spend it at the doctor's office later. I know where I want to invest my money. What will you choose? What is it your health worth? Remember to count the cost. Next week: Eating healthy on a budget Our gut health determines the health of our entire bodies. It can effect mental and emotional health as well as physical. It is something that many people don't want to talk about, but it is of utmost importance. If your digestion isn't working properly, it leads to excess toxins in our bodies which in turn leads to inflammation and disease. Whether it is constipation or diarrhea, or vacillating between the two, we need to focus on healing this vital part of our health.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) does not typically provide what our bodies need to digest food properly and enhance our health. Unfortunately, it is quite the opposite. Much of what is consumed is processed, packaged, and full of chemicals that our body does not recognize. It doesn't know what do with these foreign substances. Imagine putting garbage or water in the gas tank of your vehicle instead of gasoline. Would it run effectively? Would the parts last very long? That may seem like a dramatic and somewhat ridiculous comparison, but it is exactly what we do to our digestive system and other organs when we consistently consume man-made, manufactured items rather than the whole foods that were created for us. There are two ways to approach this and work on healing the gut (digestive system). Implementing both avenues will increase the total healing and help things to move in the right direction faster. If you come to see me with digestive issues (or other challenges that are rooted in digestion), the first thing we would look at is your diet. By diet, I don't mean what we eat to lose weight. It is your day-to-day lifestyle of food and beverages. The second is by supplementing with quality enzymes to aid your body in digesting and absorbing the nutrients from the food you are consuming. Most of us need assistance in this area. Past medications, current medications, immunizations, and processed "foods" all contribute to destroying our gut bacteria. Cleaning up the diet, along with including enzymes and probiotics, can go a long way in the journey of healing your body and get it back to a balanced place. Your energy and overall health will benefit! This journey is not for the faint of heart. It takes determination to change what may be long time habits, learn what your body needs, listen to what may effect your system negatively and what it loves. However, it is worth it! Improving already existing issues and preventing later, more serious ones is an easier road than dealing with the consequences of not addressing the root issues now. You are worth it! The people who love you would most certainly agree! "Enervation: to reduce the mental or moral vigor of; to lessen the vitality or strength of; a feeling of being drained of energy or vitality; fatigue." Many times, the cause of imbalance in our bodies is due to enervation, which is brought on by stresses, junk foods, and lack of rest, to name a few of the ways we harm our bodies (and as result, our health). If we want to live the lives we were created for, we need to address the root cause of common health challenges. Behold, we have met the enemy, and he is us. This is a difficult realization to come to in a society that is quick to blame others for our pain. Taking responsibility means that changes need to be made and that they need to begin with ourselves.
When the body is enervated, elimination is hindered. When we are not digesting well, toxins build up in our system, resulting in a condition called toxemia. Toxemia does not occurred until after poison has entered the bloodstream, meaning that the normal elimination methods fail to carry away the toxic waste in order to maintain balance in the body. When we are in this state, our body cannot fight off germs that it normally would take care of. Eventually, this will result in what is called "disease." This is a natural process in which your body is working to get rid of the toxins that are overloading the blood. It may manifest as a fever, vomiting, and infections - to name a few. If we don't address the cause of this, getting to the source of the problem, it will result in much more serious (often deadly) health issues. Sometimes, one of the hardest things to do is ask for help. I've always struggled with this and perhaps there are others who can relate. This is especially challenging when you are used to taking care of everyone else and being independent. It is humbling. What led to this being a necessity in my life lately? Let me tell you. It starts with a horse....
My husband and I have enjoyed going horseback riding together for the past 5 years. Unfortunately, my faithful and mellow gelding who was 25 years old, died this past winter. The spring has been spent in search of a new "ride" for me. Unfortunately, I am not very confident on a horse, even after riding for 5 years. Quincy (my first "horse love") was calm and not much of a runner which was perfect for me. Mother's Day weekend, Duane and I took a new horse out to the local county park to go trail riding. Bad idea. When the mare started to run, twisting her head back and forth, I couldn't stop her. I tried the emergency stop I had been shown, but it wasn't working. I was freaking out and so was the horse which is a dangerous combination. I ended up getting thrown off, landing on my back and hitting my head. I am thankful for the riders that came along to help my husband load the horses into the trailer and my body into the truck. A trip to an ER revealed that nothing was broken according to the X-ray. Another thing to be thankful for! But now I needed help. Help standing up, walking, using crutches, sitting down...everything. And I was traumatized from the whole experience. Unless you know me personally, you would be surprised how stubborn I am about NOT wanting to ask for help. Have I had to help other members of my family when they were injured? Yes, of course. But now I was on the other end of things and I didn't like it. Now that a bit of time has passed, I have been thinking about how difficult it is to accept assistance when we need it. It doesn't matter what it is. We can be worn out, stressed out, exhausted from everyday life, a traumatic life event, or what may seem like a never ending circumstance, at the end or our rope. When these times come, can we reach out and ask for someone to hold us up? Maybe what is needed is someone to listen without judging or offering advice, but loving us where we are. In this world, may we reach out to each other in times of need, whether we are the one on the giving end or the one that needs to receive. This path was not meant to be walked alone, isolated, hurting. It is to be lived side by side with love, compassion, and acceptance. We know that our bodies need sleep to restore balance and heal. However, we live in a society that does not value resting, rejuvenating, or "being still." It can be seen as lazy or a waste of time. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our lives are busy, hectic, and demanding. Some of these demands are put on us by others or situations, but we can be the most demanding of ourselves, placing unrealistic expectations on our day to day lives, trying to accomplish more than we are meant to do. If we are willing to listen, our bodies will tell us that is time to slow down, to rest from the hustle and bustle we try to live in. If we choose to ignore these signs, sooner or later, rather than give us subtle signals, our body will scream at us, forcing us to stop! I experienced this first hand the past 2 weeks. Usually, I am in the habit of having one day of rest during the week, in which I do not do any work. For those of you who are familiar with keeping the Sabbath, this is what I have gotten in the habit of doing. In the winter, when it is cold and dreary, I found this an easy thing to do. Taking that one day off resulted in having more than ample energy the rest of the week. Now that spring is finally here, I am finding it a bigger challenge. There are things I felt I "had" to get done both inside the house, with my business, at school, and in the yard. Not to mention taking classes from 2 different places and trying to get caught up with that also. I knew that my body was tired, that I was trying to do too much, but rather than taking time for that day of rest, I kept pressing through, priding myself on how much I got accomplished over the weekend. You have heard it said that pride goes before the fall, and that is true! I ended up worn out, sick, aching, miserable, with no energy. The choice of not listening to my body resulted in over a week of suffering, not only for myself, but also for my family since I wasn't able to do my every day tasks. I am still not up to my usual energy level, which is frustrating, but I'm listening now because I was forced to. How much easier it would be if we would stop, rest, and enjoy our lives before sickness comes in! The value of "being still" cannot be over stated. Whether it's a specific day for you, or a portion of time every day, it is an important element in being healthy in our body, mind and spirit, increasing your energy, patience, and peace.
As I begin to enter the world of blogging, my prayer is that this website will not only be a source of health and wellness tips, but also place of compassion and unconditional love for all human beings, since there is much too little of this in our world today. When I finally took the leap of faith and opened Restoring Wellness in October of 2014, my desire was (and still is) that when people come to see me or encounter me anywhere in this world, they will feel valued, listened to, and cared for. We all have the need to be heard, accepted and loved unconditionally. While this may be an unrealistic ideal in the natural limits of our humanness, it is my experience that when we learn how our Creator sees us, who we are in Him and that His opinion is what matters most, we will live in a new state of peace and acceptance of others.
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14 |
AuthorWelcome! My name is Tami Gabrielson. I help women with IBS find relief through a whole foods approach, simple lifestyle changes, and supplementation. I am a Board Certified Naturopath, Digestive Health Professional, Certified Health Coach and a Certified Natural Health Professional. I am passionate about holistic health which involves nurturing body, mind and spirit, each of which are intricately intertwined with each other. Archives
December 2023
CategoriesUA-62084947-1
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Restoring Wellness
Tami Gabrielson Board Certified Naturopath Digestive Health Professional Certified Health Coach Certified Natural Health Professional |
tamig@restoringwellness.org
320-841-0225 |