Cancer: Cured

I am often asked to donate money, time, etc. to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Koman, etc. and have declined. This is sometimes difficult for me because I know the people who are trying to raise the monies think they are doing a great service...and I don't blame them for thinking so. Unfortunately, the reality of many organizations such as these is that they are searching for "cures" in the form of more drugs and more procedures. "Prevention" is a major focus as well, in the form of screenings. But, if we screen people for cancer and find out they have it, isn't it too late to prevent it? They already have it!

Well, this may be news to you, but we all have cancer cells in our bodies. When we are healthy, our body knows how to get rid of them. It is only when we have some toxicity (smoking, food additives, fluoride, pollution) or deficiency (water, vitamins, minerals) that our body is not able to fend off cancer cells and they begin to divide and multiply.

So...wouldn't it make sense then, that if we nourish the body and remove all toxic materials, the body could do its job? A man named Dr. Max Gerson found that this cured cancer (and many other dis-ease) back in 1928!!! Over 80 years ago!

Dr. Gerson found that by giving patients an organic, vegan diet, coffee enemas, juicing, and supplementation, a great majority of his patients (who had been given a death sentence by allopathic doctors) made full recoveries. If you visit the Gerson website (www.gerson.org) you can find a number of case studies in areas from melanoma to multiple sclerosis to diabetes to infertility.

So, if you aren't already wondering why this therapy is not being widely publicized and used, you should be! Cancer is big bucks and Gerson Therapy is not patentable and therefore can be used or performed by anyone with access to proper food and supplements. Dr. Gerson and his therapy is widely ridiculed by allopathy as being "unscientific" or as having "not enough research", but his results are far better than any studies in the areas of chemotherapy and radiation! Maybe he should have been ridiculed for developing treatment that did not have the capacity to make big money as that is the real issue.

"The Beautiful Truth" is a great documentary with some of the basic information, but if you or someone you love has cancer or any other debilitating or life threatening illness, I urge you to look into Gerson Therapy. It just may save their life.

Love and Gratitude~
Erin

Loving Your Self First

A friend contacted me last night. She has been trying to lose weight for the past few weeks and when things got tough in her personal life, she got depressed about her lack of motivation. She felt as if she had failed.



At that point, I encouraged her to go to the mirror and talk to herself. To tell herself she was proud of her accomplishments for the day, no matter how small or insignificant they seemed. I wanted her to find what temptations she had resisted for the day and applaud herself for that as well. Sadly, she asked me, "What if I don't feel proud or have anything I resisted?".



My response was, "You did. Find it." It didn't take her much longer to find those things in her life, but it was obviously difficult for her as she said, "Am I supposed to cry?".



"Crying is ok. Be proud for giving yourself permission to feel those emotions."

At that point, I told her to say, "(Jane), I love you."

"That is so hard to do!" she exclaimed.

We sometimes lose sight of the fact that we are not necessarily what we see in the mirror. We are so much more than that. Our bodies do not define us, our roles do not define us, our jobs do not define us. Learning to love the essence of your "self" is truly something we all need to work at.

Take some time to fall in love with the one person on the planet through whom all things are possible...yourself. Then, and only then, will you have the capacity to love others to the absolute best of your ability.

Love and Gratitude for Myself and Others~
Erin

Tipping the Scale

I have a confession to make. I do not know exactly how many pounds I weigh. I am happy to say I have not been on a scale in probably about a year. Given my profession, I am definitely an...oddity, shall we say. A lone soldier, maybe.

I am not afraid to step on a scale. I simply do not feel it is necessary to obsess over an obligatory number. When you think about it, if you are healthy (truly healthy), you will weigh less. Whether a healthy weight for you is 90 pounds or 200 pounds, it is all relative. You may be 6'7" and have a small frame and come out weighing about the same as your buddy who is 5'10" with a stocky frame. That's not to say that either one of you is unhealthy. You are just different.

In today's society, we have come to think of our weight as validation for how worthy or unworthy we are as people. Women especially, have fallen into this self-depricating trap. When we see that some actress tips the scales at a whopping 80 pounds, in the back of our minds we punish ourselves for being double that. And this is true no matter how unhealthy this particular person is.

In my experience, people who weigh themselves regularly actually tend to weigh more. I don't know whether it's because they weigh themselves that they weigh more because of the tendency to punish oneself for a an unhealthy weight or unhealthy habits or whether they weigh themselves because they are overweight. Regardless of the cause and effect cycle, one thing's for sure, in the majority of cases I have seen, weighing oneself regularly only serves to make someone feel disempowered, and not the other way around.

So...I would recommend putting the scale away for good and, if you are trying to lose weight, measure your inches instead. Take your weight at the beginning so you know where you are starting from, but do not weight yourself for several weeks, if not a few months, at a time. Just think of the sense of accomplishment that come out of losing 30 pounds versus the 1/2 pound or so you see on the scale daily. (Worse yet, if you get on the scale one day and find you have gained that 1/2 pound!)

Another tip I like to use is to think of your ideal healthy weight, write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the scale where the numbers read. Every time you look down at that scale, you will see your ideal weight. The brain does not know that you are playing a trick on it. It only knows that when you step on the scale, it says you weigh 120 (or whatever it is)!

The more you believe you are your ideal weight, the more the body will follow your brain's lead and take you there. Stop tipping the scale and start on the path to a healthy weight!

Love and Gratitude~
Erin

Calling All Diet Soda Drinkers...

Well, I don't think it takes a brain surgeon to know that drinking soda is really not the best choice. I would like to dispel the myth, however, that drinking diet soda is better than drinking regular. (Of course, in my ideal world, my clients would not be drinking either, but I realize that not everyone has the same priorities.)

First off, diet soda contains some type of artificial sweetener (Diet Coke and Pepsi both contain aspartame though coke also has some saccharin to extend shelf life), which has been linked to cancer, tumors, lymphoma and various other diseases in several studies (see "The Aspartame Experiment"). Diet Coke has now released a new version which uses sucralose (Splenda) in its formulation, which is NOT sugar nor does it resemble sugar (it is a chlorine compound) as the advertising will lead you to believe. Dr. Joseph Mercola has a great book entitled Sweet Deception which dispels many of the myths about these sweeteners and exposes the truth about their harmful effects. You can also visit www.thetruthaboutsplenda.com or www.sweetdeception.com


Taken directly from Mercola's website: "Perhaps even worse, aspartame acts as a neurotransmitter in your brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. But too much aspartame in your brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into your cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill your cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartame is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins". They "excite," or stimulate, your neural cells to death."

Secondly, if you are trying to lose weight, diet soda has been shown to potentially double your risk for obesity! Diet products, in general, will substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners, which usually does not change caloric value much, but instead fills your food with chemicals the body does not know how to process. This stimulates fat storage, increases appetite, and increases carbohydrate cravings.

Diet sodas increase the risk for metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms which include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart related conditions.

So, am I suggesting you drink regular soda instead? Well, it would certainly be a better option than diet, if you don't mind sacrificing your bones and teeth as phosphoric acid will deplete the body of so much calcium it will give you osteoporosis and rotting teeth.

In conclusion, soda will make you fat, make you sick, or make you die a slow death with many health ailments along the way. Am I harsh? Maybe so. The soda manufacturers might argue that I am amplifying the risks, but they cannot deny what some of the studies have shown.

I bring this to you with the utmost respect, love and gratitude~
Erin

LOST

So...I typed up a whole blog this morning and then my computer froze and I lost the entire thing. I guess it wasn't supposed to be published, so I am reworking my ideas and will post soon. Thanks for your patience with my technical difficulties!

L & G~
Erin

I'm a Diva!!

*CAUTION* The following contains information about "women's issues". If you are a man who just can't handle this type of discussion, please do not read the following. I promise, my next post will not be nearly as scary!

So, if you're still reading this, here goes. I just recently tossed all my tampons. Yes...you heard me right. (No, I am not pregnant!) I am also not on any of those scary pills they call birth control (more on that later). I have become a Diva! "What?!" you say?

I just began using something called the Diva Cup. I will admit, I was quite apprehensive at first. I'm not really sure if it was the idea of having to learn something new, the fact that I was reusing it, or the fact that I had trouble finding one that made me feel so, but I bit the bullet this go 'round with stellar results.

I will warn that it took a few tries to get it right, but once I got it, I can't imagine going back to tampons. This brings to light another important (and rarely discussed) topic. Tampons are associated with Toxic Shock Sydrome (TSS), which really is not something to take lightly. Trust me, I've experienced syptoms...twice. Though the manufacturers suggest not to use the cup if you have had TSS, I have read the FAQ's on the website and called the hotline and it just sounds like the reasons are simply for "CYA" purposes.

For more information please visit their website at http://www.divacup.com/

Happy menstruating, ladies!

Love and Gratitude from this diva~
Erin

Eat Your Omegas!

The Omega essential fatty acids are a point of confusion for many people. In layman's terms, here is my attempt to clear it up for you.

Our bodies were designed to function at an optimum level with the proper ratio (1:1) of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3's can be found primarily in cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, mackeral, etc. The body needs the fatty acids EPA and DHA contained in these Omega-3's. There are vegetarian sources such as flax seed and walnuts, however, they supply the body only with ALA and force the body to do the work and produce the EPA and DHA itself.

Omega-6's are found in seeds and nuts and the oils extracted from them. In the typical Western diet, these fatty acids are more than plentiful. Soybean oil, found in cookies, crackers, fast food, etc. is estimated to make up a whopping 20% of the typical American's caloric intake! Omega-6's are also found in corn, sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils.

So what does this mean exactly? Well, if you suffer from obesity, depression, dyslexia, hyperactivity and even a tendency toward violence, you may be experiencing symptoms of a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids. It is also believed that asthma, coronary heart disease, many forms of cancer, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which may stem from inflammation in the body could be symptoms of this deficiency.

What can you do about it? Start by getting a good Omega-3 supplement as you are most likely much higher in Omega-6's. You'll want to make sure the oil comes from a food source (i.e. fish or flax). Start to alter your snacking habits by choosing fresh fruit, veggies, or lean protein instead of crackers, chips, etc. Read your labels and start to understand what goes into the things you buy. Eat more cold water fish (think scales, not smooth skin) on a regular basis.

Once you have achieved a diet rich in Omega-3's without the excess of Omega-6's, supplementation may not be necessary. Like Mom always said, "Honey, Eat your Omegas!"

With Love and Gratitude~
Erin

"Gorgeously Green" by Sophie Uliano

OK...so I normally will not endorse a book until I have finished it, but I am so excited about this one, I can't wait! Those of you who know me know I usually have 2 or 3 books going at once and I plan to review many of them in this blog. "Gorgeously Green" is a fabulous New York Times Best Seller that espouses green living in every aspect of life. Uliano addresses how to "green" everything from your diet, to your beauty products, to your household, to your clothes. She has a fabulous list of resources in every chapter and has come up with answers to questions that even this mostly green gal had trouble finding a solution to.

For example, that really gross vinyl shower curtain was the bane of my existence as I do not use bleach to clean but couldn't find anything that seemed to remove the grime. Uliano points out that a bamboo shower curtain is not only better for the environment, but it is anti-bacterial and water resistant. (I have mine on order now and I'll keep you updated as to how it works.)

The skin is the largest organ we have, so I have always been conscious of make-up, lotions, fragrances, shampoos, etc. The difficulty with this, for me, was that I found it difficult to find many items that were truly organic. I live in a smaller town and don't have the luxury of a Whole Foods-type store with a huge selection. Uliano gives some wonderful product recommendations that can be purchased online, which is wonderful.

Uliano's next book "The Gorgously Green Diet: How to Live Lean and Green" will be available April 16th and I look forward to a review of this one. For more information about "Gorgeously Green" visit Uliano's website at http://www.gorgeouslygreen.com/

Happy Reading!

Love and Gratitude~

Erin

The Best Exercise

I often have clients ask me what the "best" type of exercise is and I just heard it again the other day. My answer is always the same:

The "best" exercise for you is the type you enjoy doing! If you do not enjoy running the treadmill or yoga or dance, it is not something you will stick with long-term. If it feels like a chore, you will most likely do it less frequently for less time and ultimately, you will feel like a failure if you just flat out quit.

I love yoga, Pilates, and dance (coincidentally, our studio offers all 3 ;) and I also love any outdoor activity in the sunshine (hiking, swimming, water skiing, etc.). It never feels like work to me when I exercise. Of course, I get tired after any sustained period of time, but I never stop having fun! It is because of this that I never dread exercise; in fact, I look forward to it!

Here's the deal...if you're not really sure what your particular cup of tea is, sign up to try as many things as you need to before you find something you enjoy. Heck, if you have trouble deciding, at least you'll get in shape while trying to figure it out! There are 3 main categories of exercise: cardiovascular, flexibility, and strength training. Start by trying at least one in each of these categories. Strive to incorporate all 3 of these in whatever you choose, but don't obsess over it. Many gym-type classes will incorporate them for you. (Think: Cardio dance class with weights and stretch cool down or power yoga using resistance bands and straps.)

Once you find something you enjoy, find friends who enjoy the same types of activities and I promise, you will never dread exercise again. Friends or family members are excellent motivators. Just ask my husband...I don't know that I would have done that crazy hike today if not for his enthusiasm!

"Do what you love and love what you do!" is a great motto for exercise and for life in general. Get out there and move your body and have fun doing it!

Love and Gratitude~
Erin

Dispensible You?

We live in a society where "quick and easy" seems to be the motto. Almost everything seems to be dispensible, disposable, or at best, recyclable. So our world is filled with paper plates, paper shopping bags, e-waste, old cars, disposable diapers, disposable this and dispensible that.

It is no wonder that we treat our body as if it is disposable also! The messages in our media state, "If you get too fat, just get the lap band!", "If you're too ugly, we can fix that, too!", "Heck, you didn't really need that body part anyway!" and if you are still hesitant, "We can give you a new and improved (insert body part here)!". But let's examine where this mentality has gotten us.

Our need for more dispensible things has put us in our current economic situation, has made humans (by far) the sickest species on the planet, has put our one and only planet in a state of crisis, and has given us a big pile of crap (pardon my French) in return.

You ARE NOT dispensible! You are given one physical body that is supposed to last for your 120 years! When you fill it with greasy hamburgers, alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, toxic cleaners, pesticides, antibiotics, drugs, soda, etc. and do not give it the things it needs (fruit, veggies, water, protein, sunlight, etc.) it will die! That is the harsh reality, folks. No amount of medical intervention can keep you alive if you do not do the things necessary for your survival. Period.

My plea is that you treat your body as if it is the only one you've got, because it is! The human body was created with a perection that is so beyond our comprehension we can only begin to understand the minute (yet vital) workings of it.

Think of your most valued possession...something that means the world to you. Think of that wedding gown, car, antique, piece of jewelery, etc. How would you feel if someone poured alcohol on it, blew cigarette smoke on it, broke off a piece of it, poured toxic chemicals on it...you get the picture. So why is it ok to do this to our bodies? Why do we deplore this type of behavior when it comes to our "valued" possessions and not when we do it to the one thing that truly belongs to us alone?

Treat your body as the indispensible thing it is.

As always, with Love and Gratitude~
Erin

What is the Wellness Paradigm?

The wellness paradigm is an ancient concept in comparison to the current health care model. I will put it very simply in layman's terms.

Healthcare practicioners consider a double-blind controlled study paramount to the proof of efficacy of any type of medicine or modality. For years, they have complained that holistic practices are "unproven" in these types of studies. Why? Holistic practicioners are asking different questions, and therefore reach different conclusions. Here's what I mean.

Say, for example, I want to know whether or not water helps wilting plants. According to a double-blind study, I would split the plants into 2 groups. One will receive water, and the other will receive "fake" water. At the end of my study, according to the health care model, I would look at all of my plants and see that they are still wilting. I would then reach the conclusion that water does not help treat wilting plants.

Let's say, however, that my question is different. I want to know whether or not the water helped bring the plants closer to homeostasis. Did it? Of Course! So, is it possible that just because the water did not stop the plants from wilting that it still could play a very important role in helping the plants to reach their full potential? Is it possible that if we give them other things they need such as sunlight we can help them to reach their full potential as well?

The goal of the wellness paradigm is to bring the body back to homeostasis. It is not to treat a symptom. The syptoms are just that...they are symptoms of some cause. That cause may be chemical, emotional, or physical, but it is ALWAYS just a symptom of the body falling away from homeostasis.

Here's to a life of homeostasis!

Love and Gratitude~
Erin

All Aboard the Blogging Train!

Hello all!
I am so happy to announce the creation of my new and improved blog. I will discuss topics ranging from food additives to farming, eating to cleansing, and cardio to meditation. I am so happy to bring you the latest, up-to-date information and archive it for you so you are able to access it at any time.

I look forward to hearing your questions, comments, and suggestions!

As always, with Love and Gratitude~

Erin