Holistic United would like to thank Melissa Cokas for sharing the following article with our readers.
Over the past several months my eyes have opened to the carefully crafted lies we’ve all bought into about our food, our water, our consumerism, our energy consumption and our ‘health’ system. Our entire culture has been brainwashed over decades by a system based on greed and suppression. For a time, we didn’t even notice it was happening. However, now the math is beginning to sneak into our psyches. The calculations have been running quietly in the backgrounds of our minds, beginning to make us uneasy, even when we didn’t consciously know why. The stuff from which our stuff is made is running out. The soil is dying, we’re running out of forests, we’ve devastated the landscape and destroyed the water. All of this ecology is also habitat and the life within each has been direly impacted. The bottom line is, it’s bad, it’s really bad. There is a reason that we are looking for sustainable answers to today’s problems, because the way we have been living is not. By definition our UN-sustainable lives, practices and energy sources [oil] are seeing their limits and, it seems, they’re just beyond the horizon. The sun is about to set on this illusion and we are running out of daylight.
Waking up to all of this knowledge, seems overwhelming. We feel powerless and we want to put our blinders back on. We stare straight ahead, afraid of what else we may uncover if we begin to believe the editorials of the horrible crimes that have been perpetrated against us. We lose hope knowing that in turn, we perpetrated horrible crimes against other cultures, innocent beings and the earth through our support of this system. I am guilty. It feels bad and I’m sorry, but instead of dwelling there, I want to fix it. This is an opportunity.
I am ready to do what it takes to end this war on life. It doesn’t have to be a difficult process. We can have grand plans about a perfect system that seems impossible to employ, but it can be much easier than that. We can worry individually about the things that we don’t want to do and the skills that we don’t have, but when it boils down to it if we embrace unlimited compassion within our hearts and let our egos dissolve, the world will begin to right itself. By this I certainly don’t mean we all sit around with our fingers crossed waiting for some magic fairy to come, wave her wand and restore everything. When we begin to rebuild from a foundation of love, things have a way coming together. It means we all do the things we LOVE and we commit to them. It means we put forth honest effort. Instead of slackly doing something you dislike for someone you don’t respect (which will inevitably wrap you in a downward spiral of discontent), figure out what you love, stop worrying about money and just do it. Do it morning and night, with passion, for days until the brilliant ideas start forming in your head. Don’t be scared along the way by what the television says, or by what the billboard says or even by what your friend or relative says. Just keep moving steadily forward. Trust yourself and listen intently for your intuition. Don’t be easily discouraged and maintain flexibility. One of my favorite pieces of advice from the Dalai Lama is this:
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Instead of immediately complaining about how you didn’t get what you wanted, be open to the possibility that this is the best thing that could have happened. This could be clearing a path to an amazing future. Let go of your grasp on how things should have been and unlock your potential for progress. Be honest and loving with others and you’ll no longer have to worry about others’ being honest and loving with you. Drop your ego and it won’t matter what anyone else thinks of you. You become free. When you become free, you become happy. When you become happy you become more productive, more creative and more resourceful. We are beautiful spirits, capable of amazing things, all we need to do is trust ourselves.
Here are some important changes to make in your life (if you haven’t already) that can make this transition flow more smoothly:
Look behind the scenes to see where things are originating and the processes that created them.
Eat nutritious foods; source (non-genetically modified (GMO), no pesticide) whole foods from real people. Talk to the farmer about how the food was grown. Eat healthy saturated fats like coconut oil and/or grassfed butter & raw milk and avoid unhealthy vegetable, canola and hydrogenated oils. Taste the difference and feel the changes in your body. GMO foods do not have to be labeled. If it’s in the grocery store, has corn or soy in it and it isn’t labeled ‘organic’ or ‘non-GMO’ then it’s a pretty sure bet that it is GMO.
Cut as far back on sugar as possible. This is easiest to do by eliminating all sugar (including most fruit) for at least a week. Then stay away from all processed sugars including (GMO) high-fructose corn syrup as much a possible.
Seek out clean water. When fluoride is artificially added to our drinking water it is a toxic poison. It is not helping our teeth and even if it were, topical applications would cover us – we shouldn’t be drinking it and bathing in it on a daily basis. Harvest spring water from a local spring (check out www.findaspring.com to see if there is a spring listed near you, even if there isn’t that doesn’t mean you don’t have one locally). Install a Reverse Osmosis filter or if well water is clean and available switch over.
Enjoy the outdoors, take a little time each day to appreciate all the beauty and wonder that nature has to offer.
Make more connections with people. This can be as simple as striking up a conversation with the guy standing next to you in line.
Limit mass consumerism to the best of your ability. Fill the void with love instead. When you are about to buy something ask yourself if it is really something that you want or need and how long it is going to be of use to you. When you do shop seek out local, independent retailers. If you need a gift for someone else consider lessons or classes, purchase them rights to a streaming movie from Amazon, some used books you know they’ll love or buy or make something handcrafted & from the heart.
Avoid chemicals whenever possible. Read the ingredients on everything and research alternatives. A simple example of an eco-friendly alternative to the toxic soaps we use in the shower – try a local soap from a farmers market or Dr. Bronner’s available at many natural food stores.
Melissa Cokas, a former Environmental Engineer, graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island where she met her husband. Now a mother of three beautiful children, Cobe, Kai and Naiomi, she spends much of her time getting back to the essence of life and seeking ways to bring joy to her family. Always in hot pursuit of her dreams, she has become a certified yoga teacher, opened an award winning organic and fairly traded coffeehouse and roastery with her family (www.bean-leaf.com), created a graphic design business, become a performing dancer and started a burgeoning blog (www.bareinboots.com). Her latest ventures have been collaborating with a local Montessori school to provide and avenue for an excellent education for her children and developing a plan for a sustainable homestead, complete with event space, a wellness studio, tree houses and a permaculture garden which she hopes to see fully realized over the next two years. Her passions include studying the Tao, movement and breath, looking for truth in a world that has become extensively veiled, optimizing nutrition through responsible food and pure water and sharing information and solutions at a grassroots level. She is an eternal optimist with a touch of fire at her core.
A big thank you to the Centre for Spiritual Living for organizing the successful Human Summit event that took place during the G20 summit in Toronto. Be sure to visit our Facebook page to view photos from the event.
Thanks again to the Centre for Spiritual Living and all who participated!
If you are in or around the Toronto, Ontario area on June 27th, 2010, be sure to check out the Human Summit’s celebration of peace and prosperity at Woodbine Park. Sponsored by the Centre for Spiritual Living, the focal point of the Human Summit event is an hour-long meditation that will be “joined in consciousness by tens of thousands of people simultaneously around the world.”
This event aims to remind people of the power that they have, even in silence, to effect positive change, and that these changes in ourselves can have a ripple effect throughout the world.
We appreciate the Human Summit’s efforts to provide people with a peaceful means of civil engagement during the G20 summit.
Healthy Child Healthy World is a nonprofit agency that educates parents and raises awareness in communities about protecting children from the harmful chemicals they encounter on a daily basis. The site is packed with helpful shopping guides and informative articles to help you make well-informed decisions about what products to choose and what ingredients to avoid, and offers non-toxic alternatives to the unsafe things you may be using now.
Healthy Child Healthy World has created A Wake-Up Story, an inspiring video that shows how small changes have big impact and demonstrates the power of grassroots movements. Please take a moment to watch this video and learn about how the small changes you make everyday can add up to a safer home and a healthier child.
I would like to thank Andrew Facca and the participants of the documentary Voyage to Betterment.
This film follows a small group of “healthy” and “unhealthy” men and women embarking on a life-changing 30-day challenge. A source of inspiration, education, and truth! I loved every minute of this film’s edgy, straight up approach.
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution premiers tonight on ABC. Be sure to watch! To help make sure that kids get good, fresh food at school and to in turn improve their health prospects, sign Jamie’s petition here.
There are over 100 types of arthritis. The most common, affecting over 10% of the population, is a degenerative arthritis also known as osteoarthritis (OA). Due to hormonal imbalances which make the joints more vulnerable to injury, women suffer from this painful and debilitating disorder three times as often as men. Osteoarthritis rarely develops before the age of forty, but it affects nearly everyone over the age of sixty.
Osteroarthritis involves deterioration of the cartilage protecting the end of the bones; it is sometimes caused by injury or an inherited defect in the protein that forms cartilage. More often than not, it is a result of the wear and tear or aging, diet and lifestyle. Joints that are most often affected are the hands, knees, hips and spine. Symptoms are characterized by pain, swelling and stiffness, especially in the morning or at the end of the day. Some sufferers find that damp weather and cold intensify their symptoms and simple activities that one would take for granted such as dressing or walking can be a challenge as the joints are inflamed and distorted.
Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended for pain and swelling, their long term use can cause stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding. According to a study reported in Annals of Internal Medicine, the use of NSAIDS can lead to serious health problems if you have even mild kidney dysfunction. Employing a natural approach incorporating, diet, lifestyle and supplements can enhance the repair and processes within the joints, with no side effects.
Diet – eat an alkalinizing diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains and that is low is sugar and saturated fat. Fruits and vegetables are highly alkalinizing and contain antioxidants which protect against cellular damage, including damage to the joints. Be sure to include foods that are rich in sulfur such as eggs, garlic, onions, cabbage, brussel sprouts and asparagus. Sulfur helps with the absorption of calcium into the bones, which help to repair and rebuild the bone, the cartilage and connective tissue. Berries (blueberries, cherries, blackberries) are sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. These compounds are very helpful in relieving pain and inflammation.
Nightshades – some people are sensitive to the alkaloids found in the nightshade family also known as solanaceae. According to Dr. Childers, these alkaloids inhibit normal cartilage repair in the joints or promote the inflammatory degeneration of the joints. He conducted an informal study with over 5,000 arthritis suffers and reported a 70% improvement from aches and pains when not ingesting any nightshades which include: white potatoes, eggplant; tomatoe , peppers. Tobacco, although not a food, is part of the nightshade family.
Food allergies – allergies or sensitivities to certain food can trigger inflammation and make symptoms worse. It is best to work with a qualified nutritionist or natural health care provider who can help you with an elimination diet. They might also recommend you go for food sensitivity testing.
Exercise – walking, swimming and bicycle riding are the best choices as they put the least amount of strain on joints. It is important to exercise daily as it strengthens the bones, muscles and cartilage and helps with pain.
Helpful Supplements (blueberries, cherries, blackberries) are sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. These compounds are very helpful in reliving pain and inflammation.
Type
Recommended Dose
What it does
Contraindications
Glucosamine Sulphate
500 mg, 3 times per day.
Improves joint motility and slows deterioration of cartilage.
None.
Essential Fatty Acids
1 Tbps per day.
Can take capsules as well. Preferably fish oil. If vegan or vegetarian opt for flax oil. Decreases joint tenderness, enhances effects of anti-inflammatory meds.
Do not take if you are taking blood thinners such as Warfin.
Vitamin D
400-1000IU
Increase enzymes that destroy cartilage especially in the hips.
None.
Antioxidant with Vitamin C
As recommended on the bottle. Prevents further deterioration and reduces the risk of cartilage loss.
Too much Vitamin C can cause diarrhea.
Alternative therapies such as chiropractors, acupuncture and hydrotherapy are beneficial and seem to improve joint function.
Arthritis does not have to take over your life. Employing a healthy lifestyle and pain management techniques, will help you lead a healthy, happy life.
Dini Cohen BA, RHN holds a degree in Psychology from York University and is Registered Holistic Nutritionist from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and is a First Line Therapy Lifestyle Educator. She began her career in advertising and migrated into various IT Channel Marketing roles with large Vendors and Marketing organizations. Her career took a change when she decided to go back to school and chase her dreams as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Today, she is busy running corporate wellness programs, is a contributing writer to several leading health magazines, is a corporate presenter and school Ambassador for the Heart and Stroke Foundation does one on one consultations and is a cooking instructor. She is the owner of KickStart Nutrition, co-founder of Kick Start4Life and Hockey4Life. Dini’s passion is to educate and inspire people to make healthy life style changes and to be the best that they can be. Find out more about Dini at Kickstart Nutrition.
Many people have chronic inflammation and aren’t aware of it. As a nutritionist, I see people with a myriad of symptoms that can be attributed to chronic inflammation – difficulty losing weight, chronic stress, degenerative disease processes. Simple changes to their diet can often help make enough of a difference to reduce inflammation and quell their symptoms.
One of the things I am asked about most by my clients is weight loss. Evidence suggests that inflammatory compounds (such as C-reactive protein and prostaglandin E2) may be related to the inability to lose weight. When your body is inflamed you will have difficulty feeling full due to possible damage to your stomach lining, where serotonin is produced.Serotonin, an effective anti-inflammatory, helps us feel satiated.
Excessive inflammation also triggers blood sugar imbalances by effecting insulin receptors. The cell is not metabolizing sugar effectively and the body perceives this as starvation, making you crave sugary foods, which leads to weight gain and other health related problems.
What’s more, chronic inflammation not only damages our cells but it increases stress on the body. When we are under stress the body produces a stress hormone called cortisol, a fat storing hormone that puts fat around your abdomen.
Luckily, there are many simple dietary tweaks that can help to reduce inflammation:
Increase your daily intake of fibre
Take probiotics
Go to your doctor to get checked for any chronic infections such as H.pylori
Reduce stress – try exercising, deep breathing, yoga
Eat a healthy variety of phytonutrient foods. When choosing plant-based foods, think about a rainbow – having a mixture of fruits and vegetables of every colour in a rainbow will ensure you’re getting your antioxidants Phytonutrients can also be found in garlic, ginger, red, green, black teas, legumes, turmeric.
Eat healthy sources of fats for their anti-inflammatory properties:
Olive oil
Avocado
Walnuts and almonds
Seeds
Seafood, such as salmon
Dark leafy vegetables
Whole grain foods
Sulfur containing foods, such as garlic and onions
High-antioxidant foods such as berries
Equally important is avoiding pro-inflammatory foods, such as:
Saturated/unhealthy fats (high-fat meats and meat products, like sausages and lunch meats)
Sugar (soft drinks, candy, foods that convert rapidly to sugar)
Fast foods and junk foods
Lisa Chilvers BA, RHN, RhAis a registered allergist, nutritionist, professional speaker and co-founder of Holistic United.
When contemplating a supplement routine, always think food first, supplements second. Unfortunately the daily stresses of life, prescription medication, soil depletion, processed and irradiated food, environmental pollution, they all take a toll on our bodies, depleting vital nutrients. With the plethora of vitamins out there it is very easy to get overwhelmed. Which vitamins should you take, which brand, how often, and do you really need it? So here is the lowdown of what you really need to know to be vitamin savvy.
Advise your physician - always let your physician know which supplements and multi-vitamins you are taking. With the intake of fortified foods and multi-vitamins you could be overdosing. While water-soluble vitamins might not be a problem, overdosing on fat soluble vitamins can be. To make sure you are taking the vitamins that you need, engage the services of a nutritionist or natural health care provider that can point you in the right direction.
We are all different – we are all biochemically unique, so while your friend might need supplemental zinc, your levels might be fine. The problem lies when friends recommend vitamins without knowing your health history. For example, fish oil is fantastic. It is wonderful for lowering cholesterol great for arthritis and skin. It is one of the supplements I highly recommend. The only problem is if you are taking a blood thinner like Warfain, fish oil can thin your blood too much.
Timing is key – most vitamins are best taken with food. Some are better taken in divided doses throughout the day like calcium supplements, while some like vitamin B should only be taken in the morning. So if you are wondering what is keeping you up at night, it might be something as simple as the timing of your B vitamins.
Quality vs. Price – when choosing vitamins you have two choices: buy according to price or buy according to quality. If you just buy according to price, you could be ingesting products that contain PCBs, heavy metals, mercury, coloring, binders, fillers and additives that could make you worse . In essence you could be throwing money down the drain.
Quality Control – make sure you are getting the best quality. In the United States look for the USP Verified logo. Look for a Natural Product Number (NPN), from Health Canada and GMP, Good Manufacturing Practices, certified on the label. GMP is an overall quality standard enforced by the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada that includes raw material and product sourcing and testing requirements, record keeping and product tracking, manufacturing facility sanitation, personnel qualifications and more.
The bottom line, supplements alone are not the answer. For optimal results, work on fine-tuning your diet and your supplements will enhance your program, giving you the best bang for your buck.
Dini Cohen BA, RHN holds a degree in Psychology from York University and is Registered Holistic Nutritionist from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and is a First Line Therapy Lifestyle Educator. She began her career in advertising and migrated into various IT Channel Marketing roles with large Vendors and Marketing organizations. Her career took a change when she decided to go back to school and chase her dreams as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Today, she is busy running corporate wellness programs, is a contributing writer to several leading health magazines, is a corporate presenter and school Ambassador for the Heart and Stroke Foundation does one on one consultations and is a cooking instructor. She is the owner of KickStart Nutrition, co-founder of Kick Start4Life and Hockey4Life. Dini’s passion is to educate and inspire people to make healthy life style changes and to be the best that they can be. Find out more about Dini at Kickstart Nutrition.
Holistic United aims to make information about holistic healthcare available to all, empowering the healthcare community, practitioners, and people pursuing holistic treatments. Sign-up for your own listing or search the directory to find a holistic practitioner near you.
Blog Contributors
We are excited to have the following contributors for the Holistic United Blog. Contact us if you would like to join our blogging team.
Lisa Chilvers, registered nutritionist and licensed holistic allergist
Melissa Cokas, a former Environmental Engineer, graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island where she met her husband. Now a mother of three beautiful children, Cobe, Kai and Naiomi, she spends much of her time getting back to the essence of life and seeking ways to bring joy to her family. Always in hot pursuit of her dreams, she has become a certified yoga teacher, opened an award winning organic and fairly traded coffeehouse and roastery with her family (www.bean-leaf.com), created a graphic design business, become a performing dancer and started a burgeoning blog (www.bareinboots.com). Her latest ventures have been collaborating with a local Montessori school to provide and avenue for an excellent education for her children and developing a plan for a sustainable homestead, complete with event space, a wellness studio, tree houses and a permaculture garden which she hopes to see fully realized over the next two years. Her passions include studying the Tao, movement and breath, looking for truth in a world that has become extensively veiled, optimizing nutrition through responsible food and pure water and sharing information and solutions at a grassroots level. She is an eternal optimist with a touch of fire at her core.
