HAPPY GUT BUG FEST!

No, this isn't a blog post about some weird German festival, although it may be a reason to celebrate.

Man's got new best friends! Together they weigh approximately the same as your brain, that's 1.5kg! I am making a wild assumption here that you, dear reader, are in fact human and not mountain beaver, because your brain would only weigh 465g and my comparison would no longer be valid. Yes, apparently there is such a thing as mountain beaver, but I am led to believe they are not nearly as aggressive as mountain lions.

mountain beaver

mountain lion, photo taken by National Park Service         

Your new best friends actually live inside you right now. There are billions of them.  I am referring to your intestinal flora.  Half the weight of your poop actually consists of discarded bacteria and yet I bet you never even said thank you or goodbye.  How popular or, more accurately, populated do you feel right now?!  More friends in your own gut than you've got on facebook, eh!?

acidophilus can't hold a selfie stick, so this group photo was kindly taken by Josef Reischig

This is hardly a new discovery as Hippocrates (Father of Medicine) declared that 'all diseases begin in the gut' some time between 460-377 BC.  We just muffled ol' Hippo out with modern medicine and science to treat our symptoms, but sadly not the root cause of the dis-ease.  Now everyone expects to be healed after a ten minute moan at a doctor and a quick-fix miracle prescription.  

Healing myself didn't happen overnight, required me to listen to my body and make positive changes to my life.  But it was sooo worth it.  Good gut health helped me heal issues including anaemia, depression, eczema, insomnia, menorrhagia and stress, to name a few! It is my hope that by sharing this old news, you can benefit by adding beneficial bacteria and also invite better health and happiness into your lives.

* Anterior view of male figure with intestines exposed

What part do these yeasts and bacteria play in my intestines, anyhoo?  Having a party in the Gastrointestinal tract, they communicate with the immune and nervous systems that assist our ability to manage stress and stay healthy.  In fact, according to Dr David Perlmutter, author of Brain Maker, 'the gut is your biggest immune system organ.'  The gut microbiome produces and releases enzymes, neurotransmitters and even vitamins needed for the body to function effectively, prevents infection, aids removal of toxins and helps control chronic inflammatory conditions.  But too many unwelcome gatecrashers at the party may compromise immune health and kick off an inflammation response so someone really can become a grumpy guts.

Inflammation has a part to play in more disease processes than you can shake a stick at and lack of bacterial diversity is correlated to alzheimer's, arthritis, asthma, autism, cancer, coronary artery disease, crohn's, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, malnutrition, multiple sclerosis, obesity and parkinson's... 

So the thinking goes that if you ensure have a variety of more friendly bacteria, you can protect yourself from a whole host of Nasty!  Evidence screams that processed food, stress, lack of exercise and little sleep all negatively affect our bacteria and therefore our physical and mental health. Other gut antagonists include anti-biotics, oral contraceptive pill, NSAIDs and GMO foods. 

Diets high in refined carbs, fats and sugars also trigger inflammation. Fortunately (for me) cacao, coffee, ginger and turmeric all help reduce inflammation and improve gut health. We know that psychological stress and anxiety negatively affect gut health but, because it is the gut bacteria that is largely responsible for our response to stress, we can improve our mental health by improving our gut health - Bonus!

The good news is that we can take action to heal ourselves right now if we believe we deserve to be healthy and pain-free.  We can choose what life-affirming food to put in our mouth, how we react to life, whether we allow ourselves to feel saggy and flabby or exercise to feel fit and fab, meditate and be mindful and create a healthy sleep routine.

It's not just fast food junkies or obese people at risk from inflammatory diseases, either. Even skinnymalinks can have a blood sugar imbalance that can trigger an inflammatory response.  I thought I was fit and healthy. I eat an unprocessed wholefood diet, drink plenty of filtered, re-mineralised water, enjoy daily yoga, meditation and cardio exercise, yet I was still suffering from energy slumps, blurry vision, brain fog, depression, anaemia and bouts of candida.  I couldn't sleep and was unable to function effectively, which only stressed me more as I could not find anything obviously wrong with me or my lifestyle. But due to my stressed out gut I was unable to absorb or use the nutrients from all the healthy food I was eating. I was malnourished!

Fortunately I discovered the root cause of my dis-ease and stress was a toxic relationship, so I took action to remedy that imbalance in my life.  But my gut balance was also upset by eating delicious fresh fruit, dried fruit and raw honey and this was also spiking my blood sugar and pooping on my gut party!  When I gave up fresh and dried fruit and other sources of natural sugar, wheat, grains and dairy my health and happiness increased steadily.  I don't miss fruit now because I have more stamina and energy throughout the day than I have for years! I can now happily go between meals without eating or craving food, which is a whole new experience for me.

Cutting out sugar and gluten helped me feel heaps better and health professionals also recommend low sugar, gluten free meals for people on the autistic spectrum (but aren't we all on the spectrum somewhere?!) I am successfully incorporating a sugar free, gluten free, high protein, healthy fats diet with my youngest daughter.  The results in her emotional behaviour and ability to concentrate are remarkable to see and she also feels that she is 'more in control of myself.'

Dr Perlmutter, in his book Brain Maker, recommends 6 steps to happy gut health and a happy new you:

1. Eat foods rich in probiotics:  live yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut
2. Eat low carb meals and enjoy good fats: leafy greens, broccoli, onions, garlic, ginger, avocado, peppers, courgette, squash, coconut oil, ghee, soaked nuts and nut milk, protein from eggs, fish and poultry, plenty of herbs and spices
3. Drink wine, tea, coffee and chocolate in moderation. The plant based antioxidants called flavanoids protect against cell damage.  Green tea increases bifidobacteria and reduces harmful species.  Cacao increases bifidobacteria and also lactobacilli
4. Pre-biotics feed friendly bacteria. Good sources include chicory, asparagus, onion, leek and garlic
5. Drink filtered water.  As David 'Avocado' Wolfe says, 'Buy a filter or be the filter.'  Chemicals in unfiltered tap water aggravate gut balance.
6. Try fasting intermittently. 

I would also add that exercise is imperative for both mental and physical health.  We were meant to move, otherwise I don't think we'd have quite as many bendy bits as we do!  I love yoga and Jessica Smith's workouts and I can definitely recommend Loving Yourself to Great Health by Louise Hay, Ahlea Khadro and Heather Dane. There are also plenty of wonderful recipes available at your local library or on your local PC to help you on your journey to fab health.

To super-boost your bacteria intake, Dr Perlmutter recommends a probiotic including lactobacillus plantarum, acidophilus, brevis, bifidobacterium lactis and longum as they have been most widely researched.  Jill Thomas, in Healthy Gut Guide, recommends a dose of at least 20 billion twice a day, as not all of the bacteria reaches its destination alive.  I currently use Bioglan Biotic Balance. In Loving Yourself to Great Health they suggest Custom Probiotics and GutPro and I've just ordered Dr Mercola's fantastic probiotics too.  Ooh, spoilt for choice! ;op

So, if you've made it to Santa's Nice List this year, ask for some probiotics and give yourself the gift of great gut health!

Wishing you gut health and happiness in your life,

Smiles and Sparkles

xXx

My youngest daughter cannot swallow capsules, but she is all too willing to devour this pud to get her probiotic fix:

CHOCOLATE CHIA PROBIOTIC PUDDING
Grind about 3 tablespoons of chia seeds.
Add 1 heaped teaspoon of cacao powder. 
Sweeten with stevia, raw honey or maple syrup.
Season with cinnamon, nutmeg or chai spices.
Empty probiotic capsule and mix. 
Add water, coconut or almond milk to desired consistency.  
Set aside for chia to absorb liquid.
Enjoy!



* "Anterior view of male figure with intestines exposed Wellcome L0010687" by http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/15/7f/fe69de6f48ad30e60ffbd2662327.jpgGallery: http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0010687.html. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Sniffletember

Facebook abounds with status posts from snot-besmeared friends.  Metaphysically these seasonal snotfests could be due to a feeling of having too much going on in our lives.  Then we get all panicky because we simply can't afford to get sick, right now.  There is too much we have to do.  Summer is over.  The academic year has just begun and Winter is already peeking through the dancing golden leaves. We push ourselves to keep going, whereas we know we would be better off enjoying some precious duvet time to rest and rejuvenate.  Then, when we feel all perky again, we'll be able to accomplish heaps without putting ourselves under extra stress.

Prevention is always better than cure, but whatever your status right now, you can always benefit from boosting your immune system.  There is a high correlation between healthy living and an happy immune system, so here's some helpful hints to keep you vibing high:

In addition, be sure to enjoy hot baths, meditate and invest in treatments such as yoga, massage and reiki to improve circulation, release endorphins and aid detoxification.

Sending you bliss and blessings in abundance and remember that good health and happiness are yours xXx

Never ever get married

Never ever get married.  It'll only end in tears.  Nothing lasts forever.  Why bother getting married when it's so expensive to get divorced.  For all the congratulations we received, we also received a whacking amount of commiserations.  Maybe they have a point.  This is my third marriage, after all.  You'd have thought I might be resistant to the proposal, having already vowed and twice revoked till death do us part.  What a hypocrite?! At one point I vowed NEVER to get married again, but then another of my philosophies is NEVER say never.  So, ooh, imagine the dilemma.

We could ponder repeatedly whether a relationship will work, or endure, until we're wrinkly, old raisins, holding each others hands not only for affection but to help prop each other upright.  But then again the goal of any relationship isn't to endure a lifetime.  In my mind a relationship is mutually satisfying and enjoyable for as long as it is co-created.

Based on previous experiences I'd surely be bonkers to marry again, but I decided not to let my past pester my present.  I am very glad. A commitment to any relationship is a journey, whether legally recognised or not.  Love works in the present, and by deepening my love in my present relationships, I am creating loving relationships in the future and also healing the past.  And if the relationship ends, then it is because we co-created la fin.  An end merely signifies a new beginning so I won't regret a thing, because I know I enjoyed creating every moment with this man I adore.

You don't avoid making new friends just in case you might not be friends in future.  You simply enjoy every moment you are blessed to share and create together.

So I forgave and (very easy to do with my memory) forgot past experiences.  I learnt from them and vow to myself not to make the same mistakes again, as long as I remember what they are!  When you can permit yourself to forgive, you allow yourself to feel the awesome aliveness that comes when you love and are loved once more.

How to achieve more by doing absolutely nothing

If I were to tell you that you could get more accomplished by doing absolutely nothing, then you would probably think I was bonkers.  Well, I have never been certified but I practice this paradox daily so I know that it really works!

When we live at breakneck speed, fuelled by adrenaline and caffeine, convinced the world will stop spinning if we so much as even consider thinking about having a rest, our muscles are in such a state of constant contraction that we tend to overcomplicate things because of this muscle tension.  I used to think that I had to live at full throttle and fill every moment doing something.  Then I realised the benefit of doing nothing more often.

Your body goes through different cycles during the day and one of these is the ultradian rhythm where, approximately every 90 minutes, you switch from left brain logical and linear thinking, to the right brain relaxation and dreamy state for about 20 minutes.  Our furry friends seem to be experts at optimising the amount of rest they enjoy, so maybe we should take some advice from them for a change, instead of thinking that we know better.

Ernest Rossi (1991) discovered that if we use these 20 minutes to take a break, we can convert stress into the Ultradian Healing Response which minimizes accidents, improves creativity and productivity and even alleviates depression, stress and anxiety.  Rossi claimed this 20 minute period can allow the body and mind to rejuvenate, boost the immune system and allow for clarity of thought.

But, as taking a 20 minute break every 90 minutes might get the boss a bit miffed, you can always take a five minute break in the morning and one in the afternoon, and maybe one in the evening or whenever you get home, before you start the next part of your daily adventures.  Even these little rest-bites can make a big difference to your productivity and energy levels.

You will find yourself feeling more refreshed and chilled out and it is in this state, when the body is relaxed and free from tension, that we have awesome ideas and revelations that could make our lives even more joyful. Yippee!

I usually totally zone out, or focus on my breath, during my daily ultra-naps.  As I inhale, I say to myself: 'I smile at myself.'  As I exhale:  'I am at peace with myself.'  

Alternatively you could simply count the in-breaths you take, up to eight and then start again at one. If you fall asleep for hours during an ultranap then it is a sign that your body is desperate for rest, so please listen to it!  If I have to be somewhere at a certain time I make sure that I set a lovely, gentle alarm to rouse me in good time.  Rushing is no fun.  Once I had a 5 minute meditation that lasted 45 minutes, because I forgot to set an alarm.  Oops!

Happy ultranapping and good luck getting more accomplished by taking time to do nothing.

Self Hugging

There is more than one way to hug oneself.  There is the snugly kind of hug, like being swaddled in a fluffy, toasty towel after a relaxing bath.  The other kind of hug is uncomfortable and restricting like a self tightening strait jacket.

I used to self-hug in the less than lovely way.  I would squeeze myself to do more, achieve more and get more until I squeezed the joy out of everything and I was exhausted.  No matter what I did, it was never good enough.  No matter what I had, I was never satisfied.  I had everything I had dreamed would create the perfect, picket fence lifestyle, but I was empty.  

Then my world came crashing down and I was left with nothing but my two young daughters.  It put everything into perspective and made me realise that, actually, I was very lucky indeed, even though I had no material possessions.  In fact, having nothing brought with it a welcome sense of liberation.  I was no longer burdened by stuff that I thought would make me happy.  That was the time when I discovered feng shui and the delights of de-cluttering.  I was forced to be creative and do things with my girls that didn’t cost a penny.  I couldn’t buy them toys, so we played more together instead.  We would paint and draw together, sing, skip and walk together and it brought us all closer – the power of 3.  In fact every morning we’d hug and sing: 

LET LOVE AND FUN AND LAUGHTER BE

TO UNIFY THE POWER OF 3.

When I had nothing it made me appreciate what I actually did have and that I was more abundant than I ever knew: my daughters, good health, friends, a passion for living and ability to bounce back and stand up for my truths, silly sense of humour and wacky ways of looking at the world.  Nature gifts us with so many giggly and gorgeous moments that cost absolutely nothing and bring priceless joy, happy sighs and achy cheeks.  In fact, after I have written this, we are going on a lakeside family bimble, to watch coots and swans and smile at the peach melba sky as the sun goes to sleep.

It was also when I had nothing that I slowly learned to self-hug in a healthy way.  I praised myself for every little effort and was grateful for the opportunity to make the most of each new day.  I slowly acquired a sense of self worth and started to believe I could make a positive difference to others.  It took me many, many years to reach the state of love and compassion that I enjoy today, but I believe that if I can do it, then anyone can.  You don’t even have to wait for worlds to crumble or years to pass.  You can start loving yourself right here, right now.  In fact, go on, give yourself a gentle squeeze and smile and notice how good it feels.  Acknowledge yourself for all that you are and if there is anything you don’t like about yourself, simply accept it and be willing to change.

 When you stop beating yourself up for what you haven’t done or haven’t got and instead give yourself a gentle hug simply for being you and what you have actually achieved so far, life seems heaps more lovely.  Everything you have ever done has mattered, regardless of how little or great you perceive it to be.  You are alive and every morning you wake up alive, you are blessed with yet another opportunity to be grateful for the life you are creating for yourself.

Heaps of hugs xXx

Who The Fudge am I to Judge?

When driving home in the rain, I observed a woman holding an open umbrella over her partner's head as they walked in sombre silence.  As I do with everyone I pass, I blessed them with LOVE and continued to sing my favourite rain-themed tunes that seem to tumble out of my mouth in such soggy weather.

 

Then the voices interupted the music in my head, 'She is doing her duty, like a good wife should,' said a gravelly voice.  'That's so sexist,' a shrill voice snapped. 'She is caring for him, that's why she keeps him dry,' assured another.  'She doesn't value herself.  She is drenched!'  The hullaballoo was unacceptable as I couldn't hear myself sing (like an angel, I might add! ;op)  I suggested to the voices that they were simply two people walking, one holding an umbrella.  The end.  Whatever judgments the voices made about these folks were irrelevant, a waste of time and energy and more importantly distracting me from singing Barney the Dinosaur's song If all the raindrops...

When we judge we are usually projecting our thoughts of our reality onto others and their situations.  But these thoughts might be a gazillion miles away from their truth, which is all that matters to them.  For example, if you see a parent yelling at a child, don't condemn them as a child abuser.  Who are you to judge another? It is healthier to bless and forgive them.  You don't know what is going on in that person's life for them to react that way.  They, obviously, are not in a state of peaceful awareness and able to create a more compassionate scenario, otherwise they would. 

 

When you offer love and forgiveness, you dissolve that grumpy cloud of judgment that skews your vision.  What you send to others returns to you and so you are also sending love and forgiveness to yourself - Bonus! Judging others, however, achieves nothing and actually stops you from seeing things as they really are.  Love and forgiveness, on the otherhand, frees everyone.  YEAY!

So if we can look beyond the roles people play and not judge a book by its cover and all that, we feel free, able to accept people for who they are, rather than obscuring them with our expectations and judgments and blaming them for the way we feel about them, which only serves to make us feel blah.

 

So today's mantra is: 

Who the fudge am I to judge?  I love and bless instead.

  PS. I think I found a solution:

 

Muzzle-scoff

"Biologists have yet to discover any wild carnivore that cooks its food."  ~ Kymythy Schultze

The only way to know exactly what is in the food you eat is to prepare it yourself.  The same goes for the food you feed your furry family members.  The food packaging may claim to be beneficial to your pets health, but then why do domestic animals seem to suffer more and more from common 'human' allergies and conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and arthritis?  While the list of ingredients and nutrients on processed pet food may look impressive, often tests are not done to check bioavailability and quality after processing.

Dried pet food only appeared on the market about 60 years ago but has been big business ever since.  Before then, pets ate what their guardians offered and what prey they could find outdoors. 
   
Dr Karen Becker recommends we find out exactly what is in our pet food and check it is fit for human consumption.  You could also switch to a fresh frozen BARF diet, which has bones mixed in, or even prepare your own food with fresh ingredients.  

The changes in your pets' health will lick you in the face.  I highly recommend researching the topic before you embark on this life changing diet for your beloveds.  Have confidence and faith and surround yourself with people who support your decision, those who have done it themselves and have seen the benefits with their own eyes.  Buddha said something along the lines of never believe others, but discover truths from your own personal experiences.  We are all different and must find what is right for us, not what other people think is right for us.

While we cannot determine the longevity of our pets, we can still do our best to ensure they are happy and healthy.  We decided to invest in our Muzzles' nutrition, by following Kymythy's species appropriate diet and have since created our own MUZZLESCOFF based on Kymythy's 'prey model' recipe below, including meat and bones to ensure the animals get all they need for optimum nutrition.

Pet’s weight: 10 lbs/4.5kg
1. Raw meat: ¼-½ cup muscle meat (plus organ meat or egg) 
2. Raw bone: 1-2 chicken necks 
3. Veggies: ½-1 tbl, pulped 
4. Kelp/alfalfa: ½-1 tsp 
Cod-liver oil: ¼ tsp 
Essential Fatty Acids: ½ tsp flax oil
Vitamin C: up to 500-1,500 mg 

Pet’s weight: 50 lbs/22kg
1. Raw meat: ¾-1 cup muscle meat (plus organ meat or egg) 
2. Raw bone: 1 turkey neck or 6 chicken necks 
3. Veggies: 3 tbl, pulped 
4. Kelp/alfalfa: 2 tsp 
Cod-liver oil: 1 tsp 
Essential Fatty Acids: 2 tsp flax oil
Vitamin C: up to 3,000-6,000 mg

Schultze, Kymythy (1999-10-01). Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats (p. 5). Hay House. Kindle Edition.

The physiological and mental changes in our Muzzles, Henry, Hugo and Kevin, have been amazing.  Henry's always been a bit on the podgy side and even managed to collapse our neighbour's fence once, by climbing up it.  On a species appropriate diet, he is more spritely, has toned up his jelly belly, sports a waistline now and is even graceful, on occasions.  Kevin de-toxed heavily, having been on a processed diet for 14 years.  He lost weight and fat before gaining muscle, which is all part of the de-toxification process.  Kymythy tells you how to comfort your pets through their healing process :o)  

Kevin's dry, scaly 'elbows' cleared up and are now smooth and lovely.  He lost his 'turkey neck' and acquired a gorgeously glossy coat.  In fact, all three of the Muzzles have luscious, soft fur. Kevin's cheekiness and energy levels are constantly increasing and people compliment him on looking fabulous for 14 years old!  The vet even commented on his improved hind limb flexibility, so yeay!  We also give Kevin glucosamine with chondroitin as well as massages and Reiki to help him feel fabulous. The bonus is that whatever the cats don't eat, the Lab-Retriever obviously will, so there is no wastage and every one is a happy bunny...or kitty...or puppy.