Parenting struggles...

Well. Life is good - my back is clearly on the mend - 3 visits to the chiropractor and he had it completely in alignment - as evidenced by the wonderful relaxing stretches at tai chi class the other day. Health is great - eating well, keeping a daily food log (have been for the past 5 wks) and exercising regularly (I'll be rowing 7 kms today, about 35 mins, to make my goal of 100 kms for this month). All in all, life is great.

Having a bit of an issue with parenting, though, and if you can help me out here, I'd so appreciate it. One of my children quite regularly pouts if they don't get their way - things like slamming doors, stomping off, leaving the room, and generally displaying anger. It is to a point where it is affecting friendships, as in one of their friends no longer wants to play with them because of this behaviour (this particular friend bottles everything up inside, fwiw). I have spoken with other parents who know my child well, and none feel that this is a major issue, but some do recognize this behaviour in my child. I've been told from some parents that my child will outgrow this behaviour, but from personal experience, I'm shaken up. See, I feel like I was exactly like this as a child, so I can see what's happening here, but it's breaking my heart that the friends aren't willing to give my child a second chance. And furthermore, I feel like it took the greater part of my youth to really get a grasp on the rollercoasters that are my emotions. Only in the last, say 10 or 15 years, have I really begun to handle conflict and emotions well - oh, I still get my feathers ruffled occasionally, but certainly not on a daily or hourly basis like I recall in childhood. I don't want my child to go through their entire childhood struggling with this. I've talked about it with my child - the reason their friend has stopped calling - and it's really hurting my child's feelings. How can I help my child see the consequences of their actions, and help them to make a change (if they're willing to)? Also, when I look back at my own childhood, I wonder how the food I was eating affected my behaviour. And so I wonder if I shouldn't talk to my child about cutting out certain foods - certainly sugar, perhaps even wheat or dairy, and see if that won't help them somehow (off the top of my head I don't think sugar is a major issue, but wheat or dairy could very well be). However, I would certainly seek medical advice (probably both Dr & Naturopath) before doing this. Anyhow, your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Sighhhhh
~n~

Dreams....

yesterday my son told me he had a dream that i was lying in bed and had had a baby overnight, unbeknownst to me!! I laughed. he wondered what the dream 'meant' - that i won't have anymore children? that i will? i think it's probably something like a new project or interest or something will be created by me, and since i'm not planning on creating or starting anything today or anytime soon, it WILL be a bit of a surprise if i DO. LOL

last night i had a bizarre dream. i was out on a boat, apparently a coast guard boat (LOL) where i was working/volunteering. someone from my past (yes i know who it was) was in charge of the boat and so we were out on this boat (others as well) and this other boat we were following was in danger. it was a sailboat and had flipped underwater but the crew was fine - they managed to flip it back upright. i had a folder of papers and stuff with me so before i jumped into the water to help (wth?) i tossed my binder or folder onto the chair in the cabin and then jumped into the water to assist. turns out my 'assistance' actually ended up flipping the sailboat back underwater - i guess i wasn't as helpful as i intended, LOL - but the crew once again managed to re-flip it upright. pretty funny. but as i got back onto the boat, this person from my past had gone into the cabin and got my folder off the chair and was rifling through it!! i was shocked. he took something i was intending to mail to someone else (a gift my son had bought for someone with his own money) and opened it up and spilled the contents out into the water. i was so upset - i said, 'my son bought that with his own money! he's going to be so upset!' the dream continued on inside an army building (again, i'm LOL here), but nothing ever got resolved.

i woke up and spent a great deal of time thinking about relationships - about this person from my past, about relationships between people, between groups of people, between countries. As i lay there, i could see how i had something to learn from everyone who has come into and through my life and i reflected on many people and what lesson i had learned about myself from them. i began to think about the chinese & tibetans and the conflict there and a wellspring of compassion grew inside me for both the chinese and tibetan people. i kept thinking about various people and relationships and the meaning and growth they've offered to me. hmmmm... so that's how i started my day.

namaste
~n~

cREaTiVe jUicEs fLoWinG...

Oh yes, I've had a lovely, bliss-filled day... really feeling the support of the universe, just feeling like Everything is where it should be... that life is being guided... it's been wonderful. Smiling while going about my day, periodically, for no apparent reason at all, other than I am so filled with gratitude for this moment. I taught tai chi this morning and had a fantastic time - the students are great. We laugh, we have fun, we learn from each other. It's really cool. Then I picked my kids up from my friend, and wow, she is such an inspirational and kind spirit. I just have so much admiration for her. We chatted at length; I so enjoyed our conversation.

She had gone to Seedy Saturday on the weekend and found out that one acre will yield one metric ton (tonne?) of wheat. Isn't that crazy?! So then we started doing calculations in our heads - how much wheat do our families consume in one year?! Well, I'm guessing we go through maybe 300 lbs of wheat in a year between 4 of us (max 300, I'm thinking it's closer to 250). So I'm thinking... and correct me if my math is off here - that on one acre, you could feed about 3 families, each consuming ~300 lbs? So really, I'd only need to plant 1/2 acre to feed our family quite securely for a year with wheat. AND... there's a local mill (within 100 kms)! That's fantastic!! She and I were both so pleased. Although I am a committed raw vegan, the other 3 members of this household all consume wheat products, so it would be so nice to have a local, organic source of the grain - not to mention think about how much $$ we'd save over a year!! Our wheat/flour prices through our food co-op have TRIPLED this past year. It's crazy. My friend and I continued to talk about farming and our plans for this year.

Exercise:
I rowed another 6 kms today as well as doing tai chi for an hour this morning in class.

Today I've eaten/drank:

• 1.5L of green smoothie (I had 3/4L around 10 a.m. and 3/4L around 2 p.m.),
• 1/2 an avocado and a tomato diced up together with a little salt and nama shoyu on it,
• a few flax crackers,
• and 3 1/2 L of water with lemon (began the day with 48 oz (~1.5L) before making the smoothie).

In the super-packed green smoothie I put:

• 5 pieces of kale,
• 2 tbsp ground flax,
• 1 banana,
• 1c frozen blueberries,
• 1.5c frozen raspberries,
• 1 tbsp maca powder,
• 1/4 tsp camu camu powder,
• 1 tsp goji berry powder,
• 1 tbsp cacao nibs,
• 1 tbsp cacao powder,
• 1 tbsp agave nectar,
• 1 tbsp shredded coconut,
• 1 tbsp cashews,
• 2c of sesame milk and
• ~2c of water.

Why so many additions to the smoothie? Well, I guess I figure I want the most bang for the buck, as it were, the most nutrition in the smoothie. Read on to find out more about each ingredients purported benefits... and then go and make a green smoothie! ;)

Kale is obviously, a dark leafy green. The many benefits of dark leafy greens are well known:
Kale provides more nutritional value for fewer calories than almost any other food around. Kale has sulfur-containing phytonutrients, which are thought to prevent cancers. Kale is also thought to aid in detoxification and cleansing. The carotenoids kale contains aid in lowering the risk of cataracts. Kale contains vitamin A, promotes lung health, contains vitamin C, supports the immune system, protects against arthritis. Kale is a good source of fiber, a very good source of calcium, vitamin E (slowing the loss of mental functioning), and protects against many forms of cancer.

Ground flax seeds are said to be high in alpha linolenic acid, omega-3 (good) fat. Ground flax protects against heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It is rich in beneficial fiber and boosts the immune system, helps manage weight, enhances memory, mood and attention. Ground flax helps lower cholesterol, has anti-inflammatory effects, lowers the risk of breast cancer, fights constipation, IBS, and diarrhea. It reduces symptoms of menopause and helps with asthma, migraines and arthritis.

Bananas are full of potassium, which helps keep your heart and nervous system in good shape. They are good for your kidneys (minimizing the risk of kidney stones) and bones (reducing the risk of osteoporosis). Bananas contain the amino acid tryptophan (also found in turkey, it acts as a mild sedative and has a calming effect on the brain). Bananas are high in B6 (essential for antibody production, B6 increases immune functioning), and help the body make hemoglobin, as well as being a good source of fiber.

Berries are of course full of antioxidants. Berries contain folic acid, vitamin C, and other important minerals and phytochemicals. Blueberries protect against bladder infections and also lower cholesterol and are thought to be antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Blueberries improve balance, coordination and memory. Blueberries and raspberries (as well as other berries) may reduce your risk of cancer. Blueberries and raspberries contain lutein, important for good vision.

Maca powder is thought to increase energy, endurance, stamina, sexual functioning, libido and fertility. It's thought to alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome, regulate hormonal imbalances, aid in alleviating depression, giving a feeling of well-being, reduce anxiety and stress, enhance memory, learning and mental ability, reduce anemia, accelerate healing, and have a beneficial action on the circulatory system. It is good for healthy teeth and bones, gives the skin a more youthful glow, is non-addictive, and is antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogen, and antioxidant.

Camu Camu Berry Powder is a really concentrated source of vitamin C - 1/8 tsp a day is all you need. It is thought to protect the nervous system from degenerative diseases, protect the eyes from macular degeneration, aid in the prevention of Alhzeimer's and dementia, improve cognitive performance and mental focus, prevent depression, migraines, and infertility.

Goji or wolf berries are thought to help eyesight, protect the liver, boost the immune system, and increase circulation. The berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin in particular may decrease the risk of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Goji berries may also reduce blood glucose and lower cholesterol levels. Goji berries contain a good source of carbohydrates, protein, fat and dietary fiber, and also contain many essential nutrients and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, vitamin B2, selenium, and several amino acids.

Raw cacao contains a high level of flavonoids, which may have beneficial cardiovascular health effects. Raw cacao is thought to lower cholesterol levels, protect against heart disease and cancer. It may have important benefits for the brain in terms of learning and memory. Raw cacao contains large amounts of antioxidants (nearly twice as much as red wine and three times as much as in green tea). It also contains magnesium, iron, chromium, vitamin C, and zinc. Raw cacao may reduce blood pressure.

Raw agave nectar is a natural sweetener that is low-glycemic (meaning it doesn't spike blood sugar levels) and is safe for type II diabetics (only stevia and agave share this honour). It is recommended for anti-candida yeast diets.

Coconut is a stable source of dietary fat. It is thought to be thyroid stimulating and have anti-aging effects. The thyroid stimulation is said to aid in weight loss. Coconut is thought to be antimicrobial/antiseptic and also be an anticarcinogen.

Cashews are a good source of iron (improving red blod cell function & enzyme activity), magnesium (promotes energy release and bone growth), phosphorus (builds bones and teeth), zinc (essential to digestion and metabolism) and selenium (has important antioxidant properties, thus protecting the body from cancer). Cashews are also good sources of protein.
Of course cashews are also cholesterol-free. Cashews also contain phytochemicals with antioxidant properties that protects the body from cancer and heart disease.

Sesame milk is said to remove intestinal worms and pus formations (gross). Sesame seeds are a good source of vitamin E, helping to strengthen the heart and nervous system. Sesame seeds are also said to protect against liver damage and high blood pressure. Half a cup of sesame seeds has 3x more calcium than half a cup of whole milk. Sesame oil can be applied externally to babies to remove cradle cap, and can also be used externally to remove wrinkles.

On to the next book....

So now I'm reading Living Simply with Children and I am really enjoying it. I can't remember the author but I am really resonating with the concept of living simply - of living a life in accordance with one's values. This is very meaningful to me. :) I'll write more later - I am intending to get dressed today (lol - yesterday was a pajama day) and exercise and basically get the day going. So you'll forgive me for not writing more, but I'll edit this post later and continue on... And fwiw, my back is definitely on the mend... I was able to row 6 kms yesterday and will go to the chiropractor twice this week as well. A little sore/stiff when sitting for long periods (hence this short post) but feels good to keep it moving.

namaste'
~n~

Healthy Living

I was reading Udo Erasmus's 'Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill' this afternoon and wow, what a great read that is. What really resonated with me was what he wrote about longevity (p 379):

"A long life is the cumulative result of doing a lot of little things right. It results from a balance of the following factors:

• fuels that build the fire of life necessary to keep cells active and clean;
• antioxidants that provide spark control;
• avoidance of external and internal toxic influences;
• digestive efficiency;
• optimally functioning bowel flora;
• the right kinds of fiber that keep our colon clean;
• clean water to drink and bathe in;
• clean air;
• sunlight;
• physical activity that keeps our body fit;
• rest and relaxation;
• challenges worth meeting;
• good feeling about oneself;
• positive goals and constructive activities;
• mutually supportive relationships;
• a clean and natural environment;
• independence in thinking and livelihood;
• emotionally healthy beliefs;
• a sense of humour;
• faith in nature, life, and the human body;
• enjoyment of our own life;
• positive regard for life in general."

I wholeheartedly agree with him on every one of those points. And really, how many of those are we able to control or influence? So many. He goes on, a short while later, to discuss the concept of conscious living (p 403):

"Living consciously means being aware of our feelings, emotions, and thoughts; being aware of the actions that flow from emotions and thoughts; being aware of the consequences of our actions, and learning from these consequences. Living consciously is necessary for realizing today, in our life, what we imagine were the 'good old days' or what we hope will be the 'better future'. Living consciously has always required the effort of being aware, present, alert, and deliberate. While the circumstances in which we face the challenge of living consciously change, conscious living is simply a question of values, priorities, and commitments. Conscious living has always been, is, and always will be possible for any person, under any set of circumstances - a matter of deciding and choosing how we live."

I love that last sentence - conscious living is available to us all, in every moment. Are you up for that - for the challenge of choosing conscious living in THIS moment? I sure am. That one goal - living consciously - is what fuels me, is what wakes me up with a smile on my face every day - I think it's possibly the very best thing that I can aspire to - that I can role model for my children - to live consciously, responsibly, and in the present moment. After all, my life is good. SOOOO good. And I am SO grateful for every aspect of it. I'm not looking backwards at some 'good ol' days', nor do I spend time fantastizing about the future that is yet to come... sure I think about it, I make goals and plans and such, but it is not what my life is about. Life is here, now, and it's damn good. Even with a sore back, lol.

And check out this crazy statistic (p 405): "In 1815, sugar consumption was 15 pounds per person per year. In 1865, human beings consumed about 40 pounds of sugar per year. By 1900, sugar consumption had risen to 85 pounds per person per year. In 1970, sugar consuption was about 120 pounds per person per year, and today (1993) it stands at 135 pounds (61 kilos) per person per year." That is beyond incredible. It's a tad horrid, don't you think? I wonder what it is today - 16 years later?

Chapters 90 (The biological basis of natural therapies) and 91 (Health as Wholeness) really spoke to me, too. But I'll leave you with that... just check the book out sometime if you are so inclined. :)

namaste'

Musings on good health...

my back has been out since sunday night/monday morning.... after that stressful day. :( it was so bad i..... i.... i confess i took an extra-strength muscle relaxant yesterday (me, who can count on her hands how many tylenol she's taken in the last decade). BOY are those things ever strong!! i walked around in a muscle-relaxant-induced-haze for several hours, oblivious to the pain my body was in... until it wore off and i was in even more pain afterwards. Still sore this morning i opted for taking yet another MR and later spent over an hour in the local pool's hot tub. now i feel GREAT but don't want to count my chickens until they hatch... if i feel great tomorrow then i'll get back at rowing and tai chi. but whoowee i hope i don't ever have to take medication of any kind ever again. i am so grateful for my health and for raw food. i am certain i am recovering faster because i'm not consuming deadened, cooked food as well, expecting my body to heal and also use the enzymes which should be going towards healing for food digestion. Nourishing myself with living foods is certainly a major part of the ticket to good health.

Update on Thursday: my back felt fine last night, so of course I did housework, even rowed on the rowing machine. Woke up this morning very sore again... however a visit to the chiropractor today has me on the mend now, I think.

Isn't it funny how we take our health for granted? How we will eat whatever's in front of us - burger, fries, beer, whatever... because the effects of such a meal will take so LONG to become apparent that we are too slow to realize once our health goes awry what the connection between that meal was and our now ill health. It is so EASY to disregard the importance of regular physical exercise, or of eating well (and by that I mean raw, living foods & pure water). It's just so much easier to eat crap and procrastinate and make excuses why we can't exercise... why it's not so important. Well, it's preventative. Today the chiropractor said I should have no problems living 'til I'm 100. WAHOO. Whether he's right or wrong isn't the point; the point is that I'm on the road to good health. Good health is not a goal that you achieve; it's a journey, a process. You can always improve your health, but if you don't take those steps towards good health, you'll backslide and slip. Falling off the wagon isn't the end of the world, but it means you're going the wrong way on the one-way road to good health.

So what things do you do to ensure good health? Not smoking? Abstaining from drugs? From alcohol? From certain foods - be it meat, dairy, common allergenic foods like wheat, gluten, soy, corn, peanuts, from cooked foods, choosing only raw, live, vegan foods? Do you exercise regularly? What types of exercise do you do - stretches, aerobic, muscle building and strength training? Do you practise good dental hygiene (did you know doing just that can increase your life expectancy by a full DECADE?!?! So go floss!!!) Do you feed your mind the way you nourish your body - doing brain-building exercises like Sudoku or crosswords? do you read regularly, do you challenge your brain? Do you limit things like violent media images and shows and instead nourish your self with images of a world you are here to create - a peaceful, compassionate, loving world? Do you surround yourself with community - with the loving support of others and do you offer that to others as well? Do you spend time outdoors every day in the fresh air and sunshine? Do you spend time in nature? in solitude? in silence? Do you regularly reflect on your life, on your goals? Do you keep the big picture of life in mind? What do YOU do to ensure your good health?

If wishes were fishes...

...I can't remember how that ends. LOL Anyways I'm in a wishin' mood, so I'm gonna put this out there, into the Loving and Compassionate Universe:

I want a juicer. Not just any juicer. A Green Star juicer.
And I want a 9-tray Excalibur dehydrator.
I'd like to win the 6/49. It's $39 million, I think. Yes, I have a ticket. ;)
I'd like to be able to order the raw food items on my wishlist, the ones I'm out of.

Apart from that, I really can't think of too much I need or want. (Note that the above are definitely wants, not needs).
I am grateful to have my health and the health of those I love, a roof over my head, clothes, a loving and supportive family, and so much more.
I am grateful for a sense of stability and security and safety in my life.
I am grateful all my needs are met.
I am grateful to have access to all the clean pure water I can drink.
I am grateful for nourishing, healing raw foods in abundance.
I am grateful for my education, for being a literate woman in this world today. So many many people aren't able to read these very words.
I am grateful for the support of the Universe.
I am grateful for this moment.
I gratefully acknowledge that we, all the living beings on this beautiful planet, are all ONE.

Namaste'
~n~