Cured

They will tell you to be realistic.  They will tell you to manage your expectations.  They will tell you to set reasonable goals.  Refuse treatment.  Remain irreconcilably, incorrigibly infected with hope, and you will see things beyond your most impractical dreams.

I see it everyday.  Clients come to me with their various diagnoses and labels that have been put on their symptoms.  It is so important to remember that it's only a label.  It's not you, you don't have to own it, and you don't have to claim it to be part of your life.  You see, we are more than a physical body. Each of us is made up of a mental body, an emotional body, a spiritual body and a physical body.  When dis-ease shows up, the majority of the time, it is our emotional body that is out of whack.  Long-held emotion causes disease.  So, when some dis-ease shows up for you, thank it.  It has come to bring awareness to your conscious mind that something you are doing is not good for your body.  Let's start with the physical body today.  This seems to be the easiest for people to wrap their head around.  It was for me, anyway.  It takes an acidic body for disease to set in.  It is a scientific proven fact that cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline body.  Neither can arthritis.  An alkaline body is a body that can repair itself.  So, lets take a look at the top 4 things that contribute to an acid environment in the body. 

#1.  Smoking
#2.  High Fructose Corn Syrup
#3.  Caffeine
#4.  Refined Sugars  (fake sugars "diet" are even worse)

Now, here are some facts that will scare you into giving up these acid forming substances:
High Fructose Corn Syrup put a slimy film around the cells in your body.  This film makes it so that the cells cannot uptake nutrients.
Caffeine consumption drops your adrenal function by 50% for 3 days!  If you are going to attempt to give up this habit and are worried about headaches, try switching to the Green Tea form of caffeine in the meantime.  The body can handle plant based caffeine a little better.
For every teaspoon of sugar consumed, your immune function drops by 85% for the next 24 hours.  If you or you little one keep getting ill, evaluate how much sugar is being consumed.
If you drank just one can of diet soda everyday for 3 years, your chance of breast cancer increases by 78% and it makes you feel hungier.  The artificial sweeteners in diet soda messes up the receptors in the brain that tell you when you feel hungry and full.  So obviously, this messes up your appetite.

When a sweet craving hits, try this alkaline treat.  It really hits the spot!  Tastes so naturally sweet, you will never believe that is doesn't have any sugar in it.

Almost Fudge

 

1 cup raisins

1 cup walnuts

Juice from 1/2 fresh lemon

6-7 Mejool Dates

 

 

First, get your dates soaking.  Place dates in shallow dish and cover with water.  While dates are soaking, place raisins and walnuts in a food processor.  Turn on low and let the two ingredients mix together, until a fudgey ball forms.  Remove and place on a smaller size plate.  Pat down and form into 1 inch thick, circular shaped "fudge".  Now, without even rinsing out the food processor, drain off excess water from the dates and put dates in the food processor, along with the lemon juice.  Blend until pretty smooth.  This makes your "frosting".  Use a rubber spatula to smooth the date mixture over the fudge.  I like to cut the dessert into little pie-shaped pieces for a yummy treat!

 

 

The most alkalinizing food there is?  Lemon.  Pushing a tough second is watermelon.  For a complete list of all the alkaline foods, search the web for "Alkaline Diet" and an entire list will come up for you.  It's a big change that creates big results in optimal health!

Perservered

It takes a glacier about a year to move as far as you can walk in a few minutes.  Eventually, it carves out canyons and slaps up mountains.  It permantently changes the world.  Just by keeping at it.  So can you. 

Completed 19 weeks of college.  Have about 96 more weeks to go before I have finished what I started.  Each school day I can mark off the calendar is another day that I showed up, did my best and survived.  It is likely necessary to experience some difficult days.  These are the days of opportunity to figure out who we are and what it is we want badly enough.  I have had some of those days.  Here are some of my favorite smoothie recipes for a clear mind and energy.  Both are required for successfully finishing whatever goals we have set for ourselves.

 

Calm the Spirit and the Mind
Who couldn't use some of this to help with a busy schedule?

10 Large Strawberries
1 small ripe mango
10 oz Orange Juice
Handful of ice cubes

Wash and hull the strawberries.  Peel and roughly cop the mango.  Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.

Energizer

1 frozen banana
9 oz coconut milk
1 tablespoon ground almonds (put in blender first to make a powder)
Pinch of Cardamon
Honey to sweeten


Get Going Smoothie

5 strawberries
Handful of blueberries
Handful of raspberries
1 banana
1 tbsp plain yogurt
Handful of pumpkin or sunflower seeds
10 oz apple juice


Low Cal Pick Me Up

2 celery sticks
Handful of watercress
2 cups green grapes
crushed ice

Juice celery sticks through a juicer, followed by the watercress and the green grapes.  Pour over crushed ice.  A real pick me up after sitting at the computer too long.


Remembered

That's the question.  What do you want to be remembered for?  It's not really about what you made with your life, it's about how you made your life.  How you made the world.  Maybe just a little bit better?  Then you're doing fine.

I am the room mother for my 3rd grader.  This meant that I got to be in charge of the class Valentine's Day party.  Other mother's helped out by organizing and carrying out a couple games for the students to play, and I was in charge of the Valentine's craft.  The class was divided into 3 groups and I started with the first group of kids that came to my craft table.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself.  The kids seemed to be enjoying my activity and it was going smoothly.  Several of the children asked who's mother I was.  "Jordan's", I told them proudly.

A little girl looked up from her project and announced, "You probably don't know about me, because Jordan always tries to keep me a secret, but my name is Majestic.  Me and Jordan like eachother."  The other little girls snickered and I smiled at the cute grade-school love that was in the air this Valentine's Day.  I sat back for a moment and observed the kids using their creativity. .    Ughh.  Look at all the dirt under the fingernails of these kids.  This one looks like he tried to comb his hair with an eggbeater this morning.  This kid over here, just totally picked his nose and then reached for the community glue stick that all the other kids were using.  Remind me to wash my hands when I am done here. 

It came time to tie a knot at the end of our yarn to complete the project and make it "hangable" in the classroom.  I was amazed that the majority of the children did not know how to tie a knot.  My Jordan is in scouts. He knows how to tie a knot.  Why don't these other kids?  So, I asked the question out loud, "Aren't you in scouts?"  One boy spoke up and said, "I don't do scouts.  My mom has to work so she can never take me."  Another boy stated, "I do sports, I do not do scouts." So, I reached over and began tying a knot in the end of each string. One boy called out to Jordan across the room, "Hey Jordan, your mom knows how to tie knots!"  Then, that same little boy looked up at me and said, "My mom doesn't know how to do anything. All she cares about is her cell phone and Facebook." 

When all was said and done, I gathered up my supplies and was headed for the parking lot when one of those thoughts crossed my mind.  Good job Cara.  You are a wonderful actress.  Look at you putting on the "Mother of the Year" act today.  But what about yesterday when you screamed your head off at him?  Or the day before that when you totally forgot him and left him at church?  Or when you throw your hands up and walk away when he just won't listen to your way of solving his story problems for math?  You are a crap mom.  By now, I had reached my parked car.  I was climbing in and putting on my seatbelt when another thought came.  Cara.  What is wrong with you?  You are being a good mother in this moment today.  Your child is happy.  He has his hair combed, he had a bath, and you are caring for him and assisting his entire class in creating a happy Valentine's day memory.  He knows how to tie his own knot for hecks sake!  He was the only child who used his manners and said the word 'please'. He is going to turn out just fine.  Do not rob yourself of this moment's joy because of what you failed to do yesterday or what you might not do  tomorrow. It started me thinking of all the good things I do, all while beating myself up for the times that I haven't been perfect. 

Sometimes we scold and criticize ourselves because we believe it might help to improve our lives.  Yet, criticism hasn't improved any of us over the years.  In fact, criticism seems to make it harder to change and progress.  So listen to your inner dialogue and when you find that your are being critical or think that you are not good enough, stop immediately.  Choose to nourish yourself with praise and approval.  Know that you are on your way to becoming consistently loving.  Praise yourself for all the little things you do each day to make the world better.  Support yourself during this learning process.  You are a wonderful being.

Honored

Smile at you when I feel like it. Smile when I don't.  Find the time for you when I have none.  Respect.  Complete acceptance.  Guard your reputation.  Celebrate the everyday hero in you.  Honor is a simple gift that has moved mountains and is inside us all.

Today is Valentine's Day.  My FAVORITE holiday of the year.  I am so blessed to have an amazing Valentine in Andrew.  During the almost 8 years that we have been married, he has never even raised his voice at me. Ever. Seriously.  He does every stitch of laundry in this house, and sent me love notes every day for 6 six years.  He did it until I believed him when he said that he adored me.  I'm not even going to tell you everything that he does, because I fear that it will make you want to go home and throw rocks at your own Valentine. Ha. :)

Each year on January 1st, I record in my journal my top five goals for the new year.  Today was the perfect day to reflect on what I had listed for my number one goal for 2013.  This year, I wrote my goal down as if it were a letter to my husband, Andrew.  I dug out my journal so that I could quote it for you word for word:

"Above all else, my  number one goal is to honor you.  Regardless of whether or not I agree with your position, my highest priority is to honor you.  In my conversations with you, in my conversations about you, to your face, behind your back, and in front of our children, my goal is always honor you.  I want to listen to your wishes, accept you 100% unconditionally.  Today, I make the conscious decision to give you the merit that you deserve.  You chose me to be in your life.  I want to make waking up to me, the best part of your day."

I love being married to Andrew.  Loving him comes easy to me. Thank God for second chances.     Happy Valentines Day Sugar!  XOXOXO



Savored

Savor the morning.  This is your chance at another day.  Let your appreciation linger.  Experience the emotion, sensation, and passion touch you as you hold your arms out wide, as far as you can reach, and say "thank you".  All the abdundance the universe has to offer is yours this morning.  Reach out and take it.

Breakfast is likely the most controversial food topic that I encounter.  Some say it is the most important meal of the day, others don't eat it all.  Remember the days when you were a child and your mother would let you have a chocolate if you finished all of your cereal?  Now, chocolate is one of those cereals.  There really is a lot of junk being served for his most important meal of the day.  So, as my clients and students embark on their new "let's get healthy" adventure, they always get stuck on what to eat for breakfast.  I did too.  Here are a few ideas for you to try.  While preparing, try turning on classical music.  Blare it!  It's fun!  It helps me to get in touch with myself and with life for my start to a new day. 

Fruit and Nut Quinoa

 

1/3 c. Quinoa

1 c. Water

10-12 Almonds

2 Tbsp. Coconut

1 1/2 Tbsp. Dried Cranberries

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 c. Coconut Milk

Drizzle of pure maple syrup

 

When you are working with Quinoa, it is always prepared 3 to 1.  Three parts water, to one part water.  Usually, you need to pre-rinse quinoa.  If you buy the organic pre-washed kind from Sam's club, you can eliminate this step.  Otherwise,  I put my quinoa in a fine strainer, and run it under water while I give it a little "knuckle brush" washing.  Bring your water to a boil, add quinoa and then reduce heat to a simmer for about 20 minutes.  When quinoa is done cooking, the little "tails" will come down from the grain.  Watch for tails, but it is usually about 20 minutes. 

Put your cooked quinoa in your cereal bowl, top with nuts, fruit, cinnamon, syrup and cononut milk. Yum.

 

 

Here is another Quinoa recipe.  I like to use quinoa because it is the highest source of protein for a grain.  It is also high in Manganese, a mineral that is trickier to come by.  I praise it for it's good source of fiber, B vitamins and iron.  A great gluten free option!

 

 

Quinoa with Toasted Almonds and Blueberries

 

1 c. quinoa

1/2 c. sliced blanched almonds

1 c. broth stock

1 1/2 c. boiling water

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 cinnamon stick

1 bay leaf

1/2 c. blueberries

 

Over medium heat, stir and toast the slivered almonds until golden brown.  Add the quinoa and toast a few more minutes.  Transfer the toasted quinoa and almonds to a 2 quart saucepan and add the remaining ingredients (except berries).  Bring to a boil, covered, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork, top with blueberries, and serve.

 

 

 

Yes, I eat eggs.  I have my own hens, so I eat organic eggs.  We will do omlets too.  I keep chopped onion, peppers, tomatoes, etc. in the refridgerator ready to go for a quick omlet.

 

The other thing our family often has for breakfast is a smoothie.  We will throw in frozen berris, bananas, flaxseeds, almond milk for a quick breakfast. Add avacado to it for a creamier texture.  Spinach can also easily be added and surprisingly, does not change the taste. Kids brains need the fruit sugar to be able to function correctly at school.  Make sure your kids get a little fruit in the mornings.

 

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

 

"What's for breakfast", said Pooh.  "What do you say, Piglet?"

 

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

 

Pooh nodded thoughtfully.  "It's the same thing" he said.

 





 

 

 

 





Aspired

Sunflowers get their name because they turn their faces to the sun.  After a long time of doing that, they start looking like the sun itself.  So keep looking up.  You are already becoming the person you wish you could be.

Missing the sunshine so badly after what has been some of the "worst snowstorms since 1993".  I want to feel the sun on my skin, I want to squint, I want to smell it, I want to wake up to its earlier rising and retire later because of it's late setting. I want to sweat.  I crave the sunshine!  I am painting my back entryway yellow this week.  That's how desperate I am for some rays.  When is Spring Break?

In my 9 years of footzoning experience, I have come to believe that sunshine is as important to our health as nutrition itself.  It fascinates me that people naturally feel better in the summer and health always declines in the winter.  For some, it declines just a little.  For others, it declines dramatically.

In ancient times, people made use of the sun when they noticed any kind of discomfort in the body.  The ailing person lay in the sun and exposed the bare skin of those parts of the body where he experienced weakness, discomfort or pain, and in a very short time, he felt better.  No one drank water that wasn't exposed to the sun.  It was believed that the sun had the closest relationship with the human soul, and the health of the body is solely dependent upon a soul that has ample strength. 

It has been proven that sunlight is necessary for our mental health, our bones, our blood and our immune system.  So what is a person to do when they live so far away from the equator?  Either book a few nice vacations, or.....you can get by with some "Sunshine Water".

You see,  water will hold the sunshine's charge for about 24 hours.  Drink Sunshine Water daily to literally "drink" sunshine into the cells of your body.  Here's how:

 

SUNSHINE WATER

Large Glass Container (plastic will not work)

Spring or Filtered Water (No tap water)

Set out in the Sunshine, (even if there is only a little) for 2-3 hours

After a few hours, feel free to bring the water in and drink it. 

Water will hold the sunshine's "charge" for 24 hours

Any water not consumed in 24 hours needs to back into the sun.



 

Committed

You wouldn't believe how many amazing things happened right before the person trying them was about to give up entirely.  Really. Some of the most amazing things ever!

Commit to 128 days.  Whatever the change is that you are making, commit to 128 days.  It might be your decision to go off of sugar, to exercise daily, to take a new supplement, get enoough sleep, think more positively or drink more clean water.  You see, our body goes through a cell recycling process that takes a full 128 days to complete.  After the first 10 days of cleaning up your diet, or implementing your new change, your blood has made all new cells.  Now your new, cleaner, stronger blood can begin traveling to the various organs and tissues and begin regenerating and repairing those organs. 

So don't give up at the 2 week mark and think what you are doing is not making any difference.  Give your body a little time.  Dig a little deeper, keep going, and watch your efforts begin to pay off.  I was able to learn this first hand as I began taking a new supplement called Laminine.  It is a full chain of amino acids in their perfect form.  Amino acids have the ability to rebuild or repair anything in the body.  I wanted immediate results.  Changes did start to happen within the first two weeks, but the biggest payoff came after I had been taking it for the minimum of 128 days.  The same thing happens with exercise.  I notice the biggest changes in the way by body looks and feels after I have been faithfully exercising for a few months.

What were your New Year's resolutions?  Have you stuck with them, or did you give up by January 11th?  Our body is the greatest miracle ever given to us.  Be patient.  Keep working to take good care of it.  It takes a conscious effort to do so.  The payoff is worth it!

To Order, please visit my website at www.mylifepharm.com/caracash