On The Menu Today: Stressful Eating

Generally speaking, most of us can make healthy choices when it comes to choosing our meals. But what we all tend to forget is the importance of how we eat our tasty cuisines. Eating when we are stressed has a BIG impact on digestion, and our digestive system, is of critical importance when it comes to maintaining our health.

I’m sure we have all turned to a bowl of ice cream, a bag of chips or a giant chocolate bar in a time of emotional upset. Or maybe it’s more common for you to grab lunch on the go. Either way, eating when we are under stress or emotionally upset will have a negative impact on how our cells absorb the nutrients in our meals. Even what time of day, how often and the amount we eat can play a part on how our food digests.

Fortunately for us, we do not to have to fight for our dinner these days. However, our body still functions with the “fight or flight” response that is designed to help us survive as if we are still “on the hunt”. When we are stressed out, the blood in our body rushes to our skeletal muscles so that we can either fight off our attacker, or run like hell. Because of the withdrawal of blood, our digestive system goes into game off mode. This makes our body think that digestion isn’t a priority at that time. Then guess what? That turkey dinner you just ate, sits in your digestive tract, decomposes, causing physical pain and then provides a dinner for the microbes in your belly, that release their waste, producing gas. Mmmmm.... ready for dessert??

What we really need to do is take the time to relax and enjoy the food we eat. Obviously, this can’t always be the case but those who suffer from digestive issues should really give it a try. If we eat when we’re relaxed, our bodies will be better prepared to process and absorb the wonderful nutrients in our food. The body also functions best if we give ourselves a daily fasting period. A 12 - 14 hour period without food will let our digestive system rest and repair itself. ( The cells in our digestive tract renews themselves every 1 - 3 days! ) When we have late dinner or midnight snack, our body has to work when it really should be resting. Breakfast is the very important time to.... wait for it..... “break the fast”!

Another important tip for good digestion is to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eating small frequent meals, helps us to avoid over eating and is also easier for our system to digest. In a perfect world, we should be eating three meals and two snacks daily and we shouldn't go longer than five hours between meals ( unless it is your overnight fast ). Going without food for too long can cause our blood sugar to drop, which will make us want to seek comfort in that chocolate bar or salty bag of chips for that quick fix.

Here’s another tip: think of your digestive system, like the engine of a car. If the car is running (digesting food) you wouldn’t pour a bucket of ice cold water onto the engine. When we drink cold liquids with our meals, it shocks our heated digestive system, which can cause cramping and gas pains. So, if you suffer from digestive woes and love to drink ice cold beverages when eating, try switching to something that is room temperature with your meals and you should notice a BIG difference.

These are just a FEW tips that are easy to incorporate into your eating routine. I promise that by treating your body with this care, not only will your meals be more enjoyable, you will suffer from less digestive issues. You may even loose a couple unwanted pounds from the smaller meal choices! So relax, enjoy your meal time and put the “OM” back in ST-OM-ACH! ;) Bon appetite!

( If you consistently suffer serious digestive issues, always seek the help of your trusted Physician, Nutritionist or Naturopath.)

Reiki Treatments

So, many of you have asked me personally about Reiki and what a treatment entails. Many give me crazy looks when I go into detail about this practice and that's ok, because Reiki isn't for everyone. Reiki is the practice of channeling energy and using it to balance the clients own energy on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual . ( Please refer to previous entry Our Energy Bodies )

During the actual Reiki Treatment, a series of hand positions are held over and on the client's body. Often people describe their experience as being very relaxing, comforting and loving. Many feel sensations coming from the Practitioner's hands in the feelings of heat, pressure, tingles, vibrations and can even experience a shift in consciousness. When the session is done, the results are often a drastic reduction in stress, a feeling of relaxation that is profound and that lasts a long time, a feeling of calmness, balance and centeredness. These results are almost always experienced in one session. More profound healing results such as in the case of a chronic disease, addiction or emotional scars and negative thought patterns, are rarely attained in one session, but addressed in the same way that many of them manifested -- over time. Drastic results may occur within three to four treatments.

Again, please remember that Reiki treats the body as a whole. Meaning that it works on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. If there is a DIS-EASE on one of these levels, then all of the levels will suffer. Reiki helps to restore balance to these levels so that the WHOLE body may achieve healing! This enables you to release and heal the cause and the thought pattern that may have created the condition in the first place.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. Scientists are even doing studies that prove the beneficial healing effects of Reiki and it has even been introduced in many Senior Facilities, Hospitals and Hospice Care Homes.

Anyone who reads my blog and would like to try a treatment session, please feel free to contact myself. All clients who read my blog will receive half price treatments : $25.00 for a one hour session. Appointments can be made by email: staysweetxo@hotmail.com

The Sweet Scent of Healing: Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for the Winter Season

Essential Oils are an amazing natural addition to any medicine cabinet. By using essential oils in aromatherapy, you can ease many ailments, including those aches, pains and sinus troubles that are very common during the upcoming Winter months.

HOW AROMATHERAPY WORKS

Our brain responds to odours by producing electrical impulses that directly affect our digestive system, emotions and our sexual system. ( The human nose is so sensitive that it can detect a fragrance diluted to one molecule per every 10,000 BILLION air molecules! ) And that's just the beginning, the super small molecules in the oils are able to penetrate our skin and pass through our capillaries, into our blood and then finally into our cells.

The amazing healing power of these oils are commonly used to treat many problems such as stress, digestive issues, colds, flu, skin problems and nervous issues. Considering these oils contain natural hormones, vitamins, antibiotics and antiseptics, you can now understand how beneficial they can be to our health!

You can put a few drops in a bath, use them in a massage oil, or even mix them up to create all natural household cleaners.

( To learn more about essential oils, please feel free to contact myself )

ESSENTIAL OIL MIXTURES FOR WINTER

These are just a few of my favourite oils that I use commonly in the Winter:

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) : This oil is a great decongestant and is great for colds, respiratory problems, allergies, flus, aches and pains. You can also get Lemon Eucalyptus which I LOVE to put in a diffuser at home and at work. In a diffuser, it gives the air a great clean scent and also provides relief to anyone around suffering with any respiratory issues.

Tea Tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia): This oil is a powerful antiseptic and has antifungal properties. You can use it to treat sore throat, cold sores, cuts, acne, athlete's foot and help stop the spread of your cold or flu.

Lavender ( Lavendula angustifolia ) : A great antiseptic and soothing oil. This ones helps to relieve headaches, insomnia, indigestion, colds, flus, depression, premenstrual pain, bits, burns and stings. Lavender has to be one of my favourite oils. I commonly rub a few drops on my temples when I have a headache, or put a few drops on my pillow for a great nights sleep. I even sometimes use it to chill out our dogs when there's company over. A drop on their forehead really relaxes them in stressful situations.

MIXTURES:

BREATHE BETTER BLEND
To relieve sinus congestion, respiratory problems and
to clear a stuffy head, combine the following oils:
5 drops of Eucalyptus
3 drops of Lavender
2 drops of Tea-Tree

Add drops to a bowl of hot water and breathe in the goodness! This makes a great cold remedy by being a powerful decongestant for those unwanted colds. You can always put a few drops in the shower or in a bath and breathe it in that way!

THROAT THERAPY GARGLE
To soothe a sore throat and combat infection:
2 drops of Tea-Tree in a cup of warm water and gargle, gargle, gargle! MAKE SURE NOT TO SWALLOW, many essential oils should not be taken internally.

These are just a couple ways to use Essential Oils. There are almost unlimited ways and combinations to explore. Always use caution when using oils, especially if you are pregnant or have serious health issues. Aromatherapy is a great natural health practice that is EASY to incorporate into your winter routine. I encourage everyone to explore it and take the time to enjoy some scent therapy!

Meditation - Hygiene for our Mental Wellness

I have seen first hand how an unhealthy lifestyle, especially STRESS, effects our bodies. Not only does it do numbers on our physical health, but I believe it does even worse damage on our mental health. Most of us try to live healthy lifestyles, by eating fairly healthy and exercising, but many seem to lack the information necessary on how to maintain a healthy mental body. We know how important it is to wash our bodies, brush our teeth, exercise, ect... but what do we do for our mental hygiene??

Meditation is an AMAZING way to give your mental self some well needed rest and relaxation. Meditation can provide us with time to allow us to clear our minds and focus on what is most important in our lives. Did you know that anxiety, stress and depression develops not from external situations, but from how we respond to them? Recent scientific research indicates that only 10 minutes of meditation daily can result in significant changes in the way we conduct our lives.

Scientific studies are also using magnetic resonance imaging and shows that meditation strengthens the neurological circuits that calm a part of the brain that acts as a trigger for fear and anger. These studies are also proving that people who meditate exhibit an increased activity in the left side of the frontal part of the brain that is responsible for a more positive emotional state!

These studies are showing amazing results that prove that our brains are not as hard wired as we once thought! Meditation is actually proving that we have the ability to control our emotions and thoughts!

Now, how about our physical health? Have high blood pressure?? Try meditating! One of the the single most reported physiological benefit of meditation is the effect it has in lowering blood pressure. Meditation also enhances the immune function of the body, with research showing increased defense against tumors, viruses, colds, flu, and other infectious diseases. How amazing is that?!

Scientists are also learning what Buddhist Monks have known for centuries. Meditating allows ourselves to calm our undisciplined thinking mind that jumps from thought to thought and is fueled by negative emotions and desires. By practicing the art of turning into oneself and experiencing the stillness and silence of our mind, we are able to control the constant pulling and pushing of our thoughts. This allows us a greater awareness of our emotional states, which helps us to understand and cultivate them, instead of running in circles allowing our emotions to control us.

Meditation for beginners:

If you are anything like me, you may find that in the beginning sitting still and in silence seems really unappealing. I can assure you though, if you stick with it, you will learn how enjoyable and relaxing this practice is. It really gives you the opportunity to sit within yourself, and it allows you to get to know yourself better than you have ever known. Also, don’t get stuck in the stereotype that you MUST sit cross legged, in the lotus position with perfect posture. Many people find this completely uncomfortable, and if you are uncomfortable. you will not be able to sit still for a minute, let alone ten. Just remember, there is NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY to meditate. Here are some tips for all of you beginners out there that I found helpful when I started:

1. Get comfy!! Get a blanket, a pillow, sit in a comfy chair, whichever position makes YOU feel comfortable. Keep in mind that if you do lie down, you may fall asleep, so it is best to find a position that allows you to sit upright.
2. Put on some relaxing music. Whether you put headphones on or not, I find it always helpful to have some soft, relaxing ambient music playing to help relax. You can also find yourself a good guided meditation cd! These always help!
3. Burn some incense or oils. Aromatherapy has proven to trigger neurons in the brain that help you relax! Go pick out some sweet scents and light em up!
4. BREATHE! A good breathing rhythm is key! By focussing on the inhale and exhale of your breath, you will find it easier to dismiss the little thoughts that travel in and out of your brain!
5. Don’t worry if your mind wonders, the important part is that you acknowledge your thoughts, then allow them to float away. If you are constantly worried that you are thinking too much, you wont relax! It doesn’t matter that thoughts come in and out, just let them be and try to regain your chill by focussing back on the repetition of your breathing pattern.
6. Sometimes it is even helpful to recite a mantra or a phrase over and over. One I like to use is the ever popular “OM MANI PADME OM”. By focusing on the repetition of the phrase or mantra, it will help keep your mind from wandering and soon you will find yourself going deeper into a meditation. ( Guided meditation cds are great for mantras as well )
7. When you’re done, you’re done. Don’t force yourself to sit longer, you won’t be able to. Even if you just sit for 5 mins, be proud of yourself for those five minutes. Many of us can’t even be alone with ourselves for one minute!

These are just a few tips I found helpful when I first started “sitting” on a regular basis. Remember, once you start meditating on a regular basis, you will find what works best for you and what doesn't. You know yourself better than anyone. Do try your best to take 10 mins out of your day just to relax and breathe. I promise if you continue to do this, you will feel amazing and your body will thank you. Please don’t think that you don’t have the time to do this either. You deserve to give your self a mini vacation from the stress of your day! I try to start everyday off with a little sit for at least 10 mins every morning. It is a fantastic way to start the day! Enjoy and Namaste!

Our Energy Bodies

I'm sure many of you have heard of our "Aura". But what makes our aura.....???

We are more than just a physical body. We have mental, emotional and spiritual bodies that extend from our physical body. Highly sensitive people have always been able to perceive one or more of these nonphysical bodies.

Our energy body is composed of various energies which have been known as electromagnetic waves, chi, prana, vitality, etc. It is also composed of subatomic particles, which vibrate at different frequencies. Our body contains numerous energy channels called nadis or meridians ( if you are familiar with acupuncture, you actually receive the needles on these meridian points). There are also seven major energy centers, called chakras, that are connected to our endocrine glands. All of this energy that flows through us, vibrates and that vibration creates the energy field of the body!

Recent advances in science and technology are verifying their existence. Our day to day experience also confirms their reality. Maybe you've even heard of when someone loses a limb and receives "phantom pains" like the limb is still there?? Even though we may lose a limb, our energy meridians are still there. That is what creates the feeling of the limb still being there! Here's another example, have you ever met someone or had someone walk into your "personal space" and you instantly don't like them, or perhaps their presence makes you feel great for some unknown reason?? Maybe you just get "bad vibes" from them. This is because their energy bodies are actually coming into contact with your own. Everyone's own energy body is highly unique, just like a fingerprint. The energy body can almost be seen as a map and will reflect our inner thoughts, intentions and perceptions. If we carry negative intentions or thoughts, these actually stay in our energy field. Having them contained in our energy field disrupts the flow of energy and actually makes our bodies more susceptible to DIS-EASES.

An Energy Worker can actually feel and determine where our energy needs to be balanced. By clearing and bringing balance to the body and the Chakra systems, our energy will be able to flow in harmony within the body, which will promote health. This is how energy medicine works!

( Actual Diagram of Meridian Lines Used In Acupuncture )

NAMASTE.

Good afternoon everyone!

My name is Sarah I'd like to thank you for visiting my blog, which is going to providing tips and information on how to keep the mind, body and soul in tip top condition. I am a Reiki Practitioner, which is an Energy Healer. As well, I am also in school pursuing a diploma in Holistic Nutrition. I spend my day studying and implementing the numerous holistic ways to help people achieve their best health.

My goal with this blog is to provide knowledgeable information that can be easily implemented into your lifestyle. Much of the information I will be writing about, will probably seem absolutely crazy or “new age” to many of you. And that is fine if you think that. However, much of the information I will be providing has been in practice for over thousands of years and belongs to some of the oldest healing modalities in Eastern Culture. I’m not trying to twist your arm into believing something that you aren’t interested in. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. :)

“Minds are like parachutes.... they only work if they stay open”