The Joy of Detoxing: Miracles Can Happen

My mom went through a three year detox.  When I first started health coaching her my mom was very sick with an aggressive form of cancer and other health problems and was heavily medicated taking 13 or 14 different medications.  She complained of the worst kinds of body aches and pains, pains even worse than labor pains.

My family and I have seen her in and out of hospitals.  We were with her during some critical, close calls as well.

I am incredibly proud of her!  As of December 2019 my mom no longer takes any kind of prescription medication.  She’s no longer diabetic and her cholesterol levels are normal.  

My mom was on Lipitor for 20 years and was on diabetes medication for more than 20 years.

Today she’s able to do things she couldn’t do before.  She’s even able to travel to the other side of the world. She’s so much more healthier, vibrant and energetic than ever before.

Going from 13 or 14 different medications to zero medications is truly a miracle.  Thanks be to God!

If you’re looking to detox this year now is the time.  The Joy of Detoxing launches this Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in time for Lent.  Check out the details at http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-joy-of-detoxing.

If my mom can do it you can do it!  What’s holding you back from becoming your healthiest, happiest and most brilliant self?

The Joy of Detoxing: Detoxing with a Good and Experienced Health Coach

It makes all the difference in the world.

Most people need to be under the guidance of an experienced and certified health coach or wellness practitioner when they decide to make dietary changes. Why? It’s smarter and safer and people usually get the results they are looking for. When people go on some type of diet, cleanse or detox, they end up following a yo-yo pattern. They’ll starve themselves with shakes and a whole bunch of supplements and then after the program they “reward” themselves by eating poorly again gaining the weight that they lost plus adding even more pounds. This treatment on the body is downright abuse.

When people realize how sick they really are they might think that doing a detox is the answer. A detox is not always the best solution. You have to get to the root cause. If you’re already deficient and you go on a detox you’re just going to keep dragging and become even weaker.

I explained this to a friend last night who is dealing with chronic fatigue. She recently went on a detox, felt great and lost a good amount of weight afterwards but eventually feels tired again and gained the weight back.

Another friend that I’ve been health coaching told me a while back, “I am afraid.” I told her that she needed to face her fears even though it may be difficult and painful. If you don’t then nothing will change. People choose to escape their reality in different ways. One way is through food. Many people are eating all kinds of junk that causes them to be fearful, weak, and sick. The junk that people eat on a daily basis is not fit for human consumption. When you start eating real, clean, organic food everything changes for the better. Your body, heart, and soul change for the better.

The Joy of Detoxing starts this Wednesday, February 26, 2020. There are three detoxes that I will be discussing in the video modules in all levels - easy, medium, and challenging. In the program I will explain how each one is done. You choose which plan you are comfortable with. For the 45 day detox I will guide you through the program with exact specifics and offer delicious healthy recipes to be cooked at home. To join me click here: http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/the-joy-of-detoxing

If you are dealing with chronic or debilitating fatigue The Joy of Detoxing is NOT for your condition. At least not at the present time. I recommend one on one health coaching sessions to address the issues that are causing the fatigue. You can check out my program here: http://diostiagngina.com/favorites/1-month-coaching-program.

What if now was the time to really listen to your body and to finally get your health in check and possibly be your healthiest and happiest self? 

The Joy of Sleep: Let's Talk About Snoring

A few years ago my son and I were video chatting with my dad. After several minutes we saw my dad fall asleep sitting up.  And then he started to snore.  

My husband also used to snore.  That meant that I too had trouble sleeping because the snoring would bother me.  

The fact of the matter is when someone in the family snores sleep quality gets disturbed all around. Everyone’s sleep gets affected.

Snoring is the body’s way of saying that the body is not happy and it is not being honored.  It means that the body is struggling to get good quality restful sleep.  But most people just ignore the issue and don’t think anything of it.

Recent studies show that poor sleep is linked to the following:

~ Memory issues

~ Weight gain

~ Mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder

~ Weakened immunity

~ Higher chances of cancer, diabetes and heart disease

~ Being accident-prone

~ Stress in relationships

~ Shortened life expectancies

After I started health coaching my dad and husband everyone’s sleep started to improve and my dad and husband stopped snoring.  

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  

What changed?  They started following my recommendations and more importantly they started honoring their bodies.

What would it take for us to just start honoring our beautiful bodies every single day?  

What changes and possibilities can take place?

A friend and client messaged me a couple of days ago.  He’s been using three of my five favorite sleep solutions.  He said, “I’ll continue with the recommendations. It is helping me a lot!  I observed my sleep is more deep.”  And this is the result of following my protocol the last couple of weeks.

Getting messages like this make my day!  And I just feel like singing, “Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!”

The Joy of Sleep is now available at a special promo price in celebration of the new year.  It may not cost a lot but from my interesting point of view the program is priceless.  Getting good restful sleep is the foundation of good health.  

How does it get any better than that?

The Colors of Fall

Isn't this pasta gorgeous? I got this from Williams Sonoma. It's all organic, all natural without the fake artificial colors or flavors and it's made in Italy.

I love that it's from Italy because glyphosate is illegal there. What's glyphosate? It's poison and it causes cancer. It's in Roundup and in many of the foods in our local grocery stores.

This meal is loaded with organic mushrooms specifically cremini and shiitake. Mushrooms are super awesome because they make cancer cells commit suicide. How does it get better than that?!

If you don't like the texture of mushrooms, there are a number of alternatives to get the anticancer benefits. Mushroom teas, mushroom powders, and mushroom vitamins are all available. Organic is best.

Rigatoni with Creamy Mushroom Sauce by Giada

1 lb rigatoni pasta (if gluten free I like to use Jovial brand, penne, it's made in Italy)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb assorted mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, button) cleaned and sliced
1/2 cup white wine (I just use about 1 or 2 tbsp)
1/2 cup vegetable, mushroom, or chicken stock (homemade is best)
1 cups (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives (I use Italian flat parsley a lot)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook till tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. While the pasta is cooking heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook till soft about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook till mushrooms are tender stirring occasionally about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat to high. Add the wine and cook for 3 minutes till all the liquid evaporates. Add the stock and simmer till liquid is slightly reduced. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese. Stir till creamy. Drain the pasta reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the mushroom mixture and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well to coat pasta adding the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the chopped chives. Serve immediately.

5 Things My Dad Failed To Do When He Suffered From High Blood Pressure

I've been thinking a lot about heart disease and how it's greatly affected so many families including my own. Everyone is connected to someone who's suffered from heart disease.

My dad suffered from high blood pressure and it was problematic on a daily basis.  I am thankful that he was able to reverse his high blood pressure and get off the medication for good.

Here is a list of the top five things that DID NOT help my dad when he had hypertension.  I thought that this list could help those who are currently suffering.

5 Things My Dad Failed To Do When He Suffered From High Blood Pressure 

1. He didn't quit coffee and caffeine. He easily drank more than a pot of coffee a day. At the time he wasn't aware that caffeine was affecting his heart condition. 

2. He refused to give up the junk. My dad loved Krispy Kreme Donuts, cream and sugar in his coffee, cereal, and all kinds of frozen novelties and coffee cakes. Fast food was easy to grab at McDonald's, KFC, Wendy's, etc. especially when my mom and dad owned a beauty salon. And table salt (including Morton's salt), the chemicalized crap with no minerals, was used in all the home cooking. All the crap and junk were addictions that he thought he couldn't live without.

3. Regular exercise was not a priority after my dad retired from the Navy. My dad enjoyed a relaxed, slow paced lifestyle like some retirees but he did not exert himself physically. He knew something was the matter when he was in NYC visiting family and had trouble catching his breath. Like everyone in his shoes he saw the doctor. What was the result? The dosage of his HBP medication increased. End of story and no questions asked. 

4. My dad never read the side effects of his HBP medication, Losartan. My dad just shrugged off the visible bruising that suddenly appeared all over his body. He never noticed it until my mom mentioned it. He had tightness in the chest area, anxiety, problems urinating, fatigue, and other issues. All of these are current side effects of the drug Losartan. 

5. My dad took everything too seriously. He always kept checking his blood pressure. He was quite stern, hardly smiled or laughed. How could he when he was scared and anxious all the time? 

We make things way too complicated. There is an easier way. People keep taking their meds hoping that these things are the cure and miracle to make them get better. That's fine and all if you want to live the hard way and continue to struggle.

The good news is that I've got something really cool cooking!  I'm hoping to launch it very soon.  If you or someone you know would be interested in reversing their high blood pressure, heart disease and/or high cholesterol, you'll want to stay tuned.

This is a picture of my dear dad when he was in active duty more than three decades ago. He wasn't on HBP medication then but it was to come and he ended up being on medication for ten years. My dad chose better and greater for himself. And that's truly awesome! How does it get any better than that?! 

Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts, Major Depression, Anxiety, Spousal Abuse, and a Tsunami of Health, Relationship, Money and Spiritual Problems

Nearly two years ago I reconnected with a friend on Facebook.  We had been looking for each other for close to 15 years.  What a blessing to be able to find each other on social media!  It took us some time to catch up but as we talked I started to understand my friend’s situation.  She was bombarded with unbelievable baggage.  So I decided to help her help herself.  She wanted to make changes and she wanted to be healthy and whole again.  

We started health coaching sessions in December 2017.  At the time my friend was on various medications for diabetes, heartburn, depression (two kinds), urinary incontinence, and high blood pressure. She was living day in, day out with chronic pain from heartburn and osteoarthritis, chronic sinus problems, vertigo, panic attacks, driving phobias.  The list went on and on.  Frankly, I had never seen a health history like hers before and I was seriously concerned for my dear friend!  She also spoke candidly about her suicide attempt which had happened two years prior.  

As with all clients I like to start the healing process with food.  It’s how I healed my own autoimmune conditions and it’s the basis for achieving a healthy lifestyle.  But I quickly realized that her struggles with food was just the tip of the iceberg.  We had to dive deep emotionally for our health coaching sessions and I mean really, really deep.  

Let’s fast forward to present day.  My friend is off all of her medications.  According to her doctor all of her blood tests came back normal.  My friend was proactive in dropping all of her medications early in our health coaching program.  She said that she felt numb with the medication and she wanted to be free from it.  In the beginning she found herself crying a lot more without the anti-depressants.  She felt loneliness and sadness and moments of intense emotions.  This step is so important.  No one talks too much about this.  The fact of the matter is anti-depressants suppress one’s emotions.  To heal and I mean to completely heal, one must feel his or her own pain.  There’s no shortcut or magic trick around it.  

In the relationship department my friend and her family have done a lot of healing and forgiving.  Things are so much better for them now.  She better understands her children. She’s present and is there for them. And they are able to talk and work things out as a family.  She and her husband are civilly able to discuss the upbringing of their children together.   

After almost two years of coaching sessions my friend has a job and a promising paid internship.  It’s an encouraging first step for her.  And I know that only more good things are to come her way.

I believe that my friend’s saving grace is Our Lord.  She depends a lot on prayer especially attending frequent Adoration and Mass.  When we first started sessions together she was spiritually weak and had quit going to church.  Her faith is blossoming beautifully.  Her daughter recently asked, “How do you overcome your depression, Mom?”  My friend lovingly told her, “I talk to God all the time.”

September 10 is Suicide Awareness Day.  There is help available for anyone who is struggling.  As a holistic health coach and Access Bars practitioner I advocate Access Bars sessions for physical, emotional and spiritual issues, and for really any problem.  Why?  Because it can work quickly and it gets to the root problem.  Free Access Bars clinics are available worldwide.  For more information visit www.accessconsciousness.com/suicideawareness.

William and Mary: The Nation's Suicide Capital?

A family friend encouraged me to attend the College of William and Mary because of its prestige, rich history, and rigorous programs. I was enamored by that as well as motivated in getting my parents and family to be proud of me. William and Mary is the oldest university in the United States and it still ranks as one of the top universities in the country (ranked # 38 in 2019 according to U.S. News and World Report).

I attended the College of William and Mary from 1994 and 1998 and had a wonderful learning and social experience. I had my share of academic lows but I sucked it up and persevered. However, during my time there the Alma Mater of a Nation was also known as the nation’s suicide capital. It seemed that toward the end of every semester my roommate and I would find a letter slipped under the door of our dorm room. Each letter addressed to William and Mary faculty and student body announced the tragic death of a student. I seem to recall that the reason for at least two of those deaths was suicide.

September is Suicide Awareness Month. My son and I along with other Access Bars practitioners worldwide will be offering free Access Bars sessions to those interested in looking for change, hope and possibility. Everyone is welcome to try it out. Absolutely, getting a Bars session can help those with deep depression, suicidal thoughts, addictions, PTSD, trauma (happening now or from years back) and other struggles and blocks.

I have been an integrative nutrition health coach since 2016. I know for certain that food is medicine but I can honestly say that Access Bars changes people’s lives for the better and so quickly. There is nothing like it. It is without a doubt the best holistic modality that I’ve come across in healing on all levels - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How does it get any better than that?

Sharing is caring, friends! So please share. Let’s help make this a happier and healthier world. Let’s help everyone get to the root cause of their struggles. Access Bars can save lives. (Direct message me with any questions.)

For more information about Access Bars go to www.accessconsciousness.com. To find a list of practitioners participating in free clinics around the world for Suicide Awareness Month go to www.accessconsciousness.com/suicideawareness.

How To Get Off Your Meds

Last night I got a call from my mom. She said, "I saw my doctor today." I paused and asked, "What's wrong?" She said, "My doctor gave me a clean bill of health!" I said, "That's good, Mom." I asked her, "How are your cholesterol levels?" She said, "They're good. They're normal. My doctor was so surprised. He couldn't believe it!"

My mom had been on Lipitor for over twenty years. I urged her five months ago to get off Lipitor and there's a good reason for that. She did what I suggested and now her cholesterol levels are good. 

My mom's a very smart woman. In the last few years she's been really listening to her body. Second, she has a good holistic health coach. That would be me. And she follows my advice. If she has questions she calls me up. We talk and I make suggestions. But I always tell her that she's the one that knows her body best.

If you want to get off your medications get with a good holistic health coach or wellness practitioner. That's really how it's done because most people aren't able to heal on their own. They need someone who's been there and/or who has the knowledge and experience in helping others to heal.

My mom's doctor's response is a funny one. Yes, it is possible to reverse disease and get off medications. It's really very simple. But if you're content taking all of your medications just keep doing the same old same old.

17 Year Old Diagnosed With Fatty Liver

Over the weekend my family and I visited some good friends in our old stomping ground. My friend was telling me that she had decided to get a blood panel done on December 31 for all three of her teenagers. She was frightened for her oldest child. The doctor reviewed his liver test results and told her son that 70 is within normal range. His levels were off the charts at 270. He diagnosed him with fatty liver and said that he needed to change his diet pronto. The boy was very scared after hearing this. My friend had told me years back that the only food that her eldest would eat was chicken and he never ate vegetables. So he started eating less fatty foods and more vegetables. He tried spinach, lettuce, carrots, and cabbage but didn’t like those so well. He ate them anyway. Surprisingly he learned that he liked kale. On top of that he lost about ten pounds from the long hours of dress rehearsals and dance practices for his high school production. Recently he got tested again. He still has fatty liver but his levels are not as high. He surprised the doctor and is still determined to get healthier.

Why are we waiting till there’s a health issue to teach our children proper nutrition? Why are we waiting for a health scare to happen? The truth of the matter is that the parents aren’t eating healthy so the children aren’t eating healthy. The end result is sickness. Doctors aren’t trained in nutrition. They barely have time to eat healthy themselves with their demanding schedules and the number of sick patients waiting in the waiting room.

In ancient China if the doctor was not able to help a patient heal the patient was NOT obligated to pay the doctor. Umm, hello? Our society has it all backwards. Patients continue to look to conventional medicine and accept everything that they are told. They’re told that they have to have their thyroid radiated and so they take thyroid meds for the rest of their lives. They’re told that they need to be on high blood pressure medication for the rest of their lives despite the dangerous side effects. They’re told that they need to be sliced open to remove a part of their intestines. They’re told that there’s no cure for this disease and that disease. They’re told there are no other options whatsoever. All lies. And the people get sicker and sicker every day.

If only people started to question, think for themselves, and get with a good health coach or wellness practitioner to get to the root cause of their condition people would have less health problems and be less dependent on Big Pharma. Because people need the help. They need to learn preventative medicine, which is taught by health coaches, in order to heal. Preventative medicine is the best way to prevent disease. Well maybe it takes a whack on the head and a real health scare for people to start realizing the lies they’re being told every single day.

Yup, my friend’s son is seventeen years old and has fatty liver disease. True SAD story.

The Body Never Lies

My dad retired from the Navy in the summer of 1986 when I was ten years old. From that point my dad prepared the breakfasts. I remember hearing sounds in the kitchen first thing in the morning. I heard the sound of my mom’s Salad Master pans being placed on the stove. I remember the sound of eggs sizzling on the pan and the scent of freshly brewed coffee. And I can still hear the sound of my dad sneezing incessantly echoing throughout the house. One time I counted. He sneezed at least twenty times without pause.

I remember my first autumn in Central New York. Our neighbors invited us over for a bonfire party. They had wine and beer and I was offered a pinot noir. I remember having two and a half glasses. Well, that tipped my alcohol limit. The next day I didn’t feel so well. The alcohol was indeed poison. I believed that I had cold-like symptoms so I treated the symptoms with natural herbal and food remedies. After a while I thought it was strange that I wasn’t getting any better. Then finally after two weeks I realized that I didn’t have a cold. I had allergies. The alcohol was poisonous to my system which triggered an autoimmune response and an imbalance in my body which caused my allergy symptoms. So I made myself the proper natural remedies and in three days I was all better.

The body never lies. It is that smart. It gives us signs all the time but we refuse to listen. When someone sneezes uncontrollably the body is actually alerting us and screaming, “Help! Help!” But instead we succumb to our pitiful existence and do nothing to change our diets and bad habits.

No, it’s not normal to be sneezing twenty to thirty times straight. It’s not normal to have to wipe a runny nose ever. We try to shush our bodies with alcohol, cigarettes, prescription medications, over the counter drugs like Benadryl or NyQuil but as I’ve mentioned the body never lies. And you can never cover up the lies.

Community And Longevity

Orestis Portelos, age 97 from Greece, was interviewed for the Human Longevity Project (https://humanlongevityfilm.com/). He said, “‘Panigiria’ (a Greek festival celebrated during the summer months) is a tradition found from our ancestors. At that time, we had good ‘panigiria’, they were not as crowded as today. We were also organizing them for financial reasons. All the money we were gathering was used for the village’s needs. Even today, all these ‘panigiria’ are organized for this purpose. We are also having fun. We meet with people from other villages. I still go. As I told you earlier, I used to go with friends my age. Nowadays, most people going are young people. I meet with few people now, but I still go.”

It was nice to have good friends over this past weekend as we reminisced the warm, sunny weather we enjoyed in Florida. They shared with us all about the community of their second home. The wife described the close knit community of just a hundred homes. She said the ladies meet pretty much every week and even on the weekends. They have so many fun activities like cooking, exercise, and dancing classes. They even have frequent luau parties. The neighbors are so close that it’s common for neighbors to visit each other’s homes to help with any issues. It truly sounded like a wonderful community of living, learning, laughing, and loving.

This is what the elder Orestis Portelos was describing. Close bonds formed in communities are such commonplace for centenarians living in the Blue Zone areas. Human relationship is such a vital part of life and one of the primary foods that was taught at my nutrition school. You can be successful in health, career, spirituality, and other things but if you lack in the relationship department, you will struggle. It will be like trying to drive a car with a flat tire. Isn’t that what the human condition is all about? The human spirit begs to be loved, adored, and embraced.

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your relationships? And if it’s taken a back burner what can you do to improve it? It would be wise on our part to model our lives and indeed how we view our relationships after the people living in the Blue Zones. To your health and happiness!

The Consequence Of Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disease is the consequence of bad nutritional science.

Last month I started health coaching a lady who wanted help with severe environmental allergies. Not only had she been suffering from allergies for a while she was overweight and had a family history of heart disease and diabetes. She was worried about her A1C levels signaling a high sugar diet and perhaps diabetes in the horizon as her health history suggested. I asked her what her diet looked like. She told me she didn’t eat breakfast or lunch. If she had anything it was a cup of coffee. For snacks she ate candy. And for dinner she ate very little, maybe rice and a little protein. She paused for a moment and then stated that she didn’t cook at all. She said that a lady would come to cook for her husband on the weekends. I asked her what I would find in her refrigerator if I were to come over to her house. She said that there might be some beans and maybe some fruit.

This is the SAD diet, the standard American diet. Not only is it sad in a literal sense, this is people’s reality on a daily basis. There should be joy in partaking delicious, nutritious food rather than people rushing to grab fast food or standing up to eat their meals. For many people home cooked meals is a thing of the past. I felt so bad for this woman and her family. She confided that she had anxiety issues and she was worried about two of her three children. One was living an adventurous, careless lifestyle while her daughter was suffering from mental issues and depression. This is what happens when people are not taught proper nutrition, self care, and self love. Everyone suffers. If we eat poorly then this is the legacy that we pass on to our children and future generations.

The good news is it’s never too late to reverse disease and bad eating and lifestyle habits. It doesn’t matter if someone has stage 4 cancer or was told by the doctors that they have little time to live. No, it’s not a magical, overnight shift that takes place. It takes work, real hard word, patience, and trust in the process. If you’re sick of being sick there is a better way.

You Deserve Better

This morning I was talking to a friend at church. He told me, "I hate drugs and medications! But I have to go see the doctor."

Don't get me wrong. There is a place and time for modern medicine but when we're given one drug after another we have to start asking, "Is this too much? Is this good for my body? What are the side effects?"

We all have choices. You can continue to go the same old route doing the same things over and over again. Guess what? You end up with the same results. Or you can wisen up, start asking the tough questions, and make changes to your diet, lifestyle and conscientiousness. That's what I did about six years ago. I had a sweet, precious baby who I could no longer care for. I was sick of being sick so I sought a holistic doctor, went to nutrition school and got mentored by the world's best health coaches and wellness practitioners. I got to the root cause of my health problems and healed.

If you're on any type of medication or don't feel your best you're not well. I hear this a lot. People tell me their long list of chronic illnesses and symptoms and then at the end they tell me that they are in pretty good health. No, they have just settled for the worst life possible for themselves. They have been sick for so long that they don't know the difference between being sick and being well.

People deserve better. You deserve better.

For Better Sleep

If you want better sleep, read on…

This morning I went to barre class at the local Y. At my friend’s suggestion we went over to the sauna. As we walked in I heard a voice say, “Hi friend! I followed your advice! I quit coffee and I feel so much better!” I turned and said to the gentleman, “That’s great. Congratulations! How so?” He said, “I sleep so much better! My wife just looks at me. She won’t quit but I feel great!”

Small steps count a lot and encourage people to keep working on getting healthy. Depending on a person’s situation I start health coaching with food. I start people off with something so basic like drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning. This simple step has motivated people to do things they never used to do like exercising.

For someone who’s been hooked on coffee for decades I recommend drinking clean spring water or filtered water (I love our Berkey) in the morning, even just a cup. If you can drink two cups that’s even better. The goal is to replace the coffee with clean water. Eventually you will kick the habit. And like the gentleman I saw at the Y this morning you will start to sleep better and to feel great.

YES to changing the world for the better one person at a time, one step at a time!

Longevity For Our Families And Pets

For dog and pet owners, parents, and families, this one is for you. We can learn a lot about longevity from our elders.

Georgios Stenos, age 85 from Greece, was interviewed for the Longevity Human Project (https://humanlongevityfilm.com). “All of the Ikarians are trying not to buy products with pesticides and fertilizers. I only use animal manure which I get from people who raise animals and I use it for my plants.”

Ikaria is one of the highly regarded Blue Zones, one of the few places in the world that produces the most number of centenarians. I remember talking to my son’s sensei at his karate school about his brother in law’s dog. He said that the dog had cancer and went on to say that every dog in his brother in law’s street and neighborhood had cancer. He continued to say that the whole neighborhood sprayed their lawns with chemicals and fertilizers. The lawns were green but all the dogs were sick.

If the dogs are being poisoned and being diagnosed with cancer what more is happening to that neighborhood’s young? Start reading labels. Start asking questions. Are you aware that Roundup is a known carcinogen? Do you use toxic house cleaners around the house? Toxicity is everywhere. Start protecting yourself and your loved ones including our beloved pets.

Slime, Contact Lens Solution, And Borax

When I was a kid I did what all the other school children did. I ate the food prepared at the school cafeteria. I sucked on the honeysuckles at the school playground. I got jelly shoes just like a lot of the other girls in my elementary school. When friendship pins were in I got a friend to make me one almost every week for about a month or two. I followed what the teachers told us so that I could go outside for Freedom Friday to hang out with my best friend and the other kids. I learned how to think on my own but for the most part I learned to be an order taker because just like every kid out there I wanted to fit in.

Slime is all the rage among school children these days. I think if I were still a kid I would be one of those kids fascinated with the texture, colors, and glitter affects. I’d probably be viewing YouTube every single day to learn how to make my own slime.

On the surface slime is a kid’s toy but if we take a closer look at what slime is made of we will see that it consists of sodium borate which is better known as borax. Borax is linked to infertility and reproductive damage. It is also found in the controversial Gardasil or HPV vaccine. Some people may believe that borax is harmless and is perfectly fine since it’s used for cleaning in many households. I caution those who believe that borax is safe and suggest that you dig deeper and do your own research. Recently, I came across a pediatrician’s blog post regarding slime and borax. She noticed that more and more of her patients were coming in for horrible skin rashes. After interviewing several parents she learned that her patients were playing with slime as an after school activity on a daily basis. She concluded that the borax from the slime was causing these horrible rashes on her patients’ hands and noted that it would take several months for the rashes to heal. So is borax safe? I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As I did more reading on the slime topic this led me to my current problem with contact lens solutions. A friend, mentor, and fellow health coach just last week mentioned that slime can be made with either borax or contact lens solution since the solution contains sodium borate. Sure enough almost every contact lens solution in the market contains sodium borate. I found one that did not but CIBA Vision Clear Care No Rub contains an ingredient called Pluronic 17R4 (a Cleaning Agent). What the heck is that?! I have never heard of it and there’s not enough information online about what it is and any potential side effects. Who knows? Pluronic 17R4 could be another name for sodium borate or borax. So again I follow the better be safe than sorry rule.

So this got me thinking and then I got really pissed off. I’ve been wearing contact lenses since I was in middle school. That’s decades of pouring borax onto my hands and fingertips as well as applying borax directly into my eyes. I never thought to read the labels for contact lens solutions like I do for the food that I consume. Just like many patients who wear glasses or contact lenses I listened to the optometrist and did exactly what I was told to do. As a result my vision worsened over the years. On top of that I just noticed how rough especially the palms of my hands are and how blood shot my eyes are.

I’ve made a couple of decisions from what I’ve gathered in the last week. If you know me personally, you will notice that I’ve begun to wear my prescription glasses after decades of contact lens use. This is a new routine for me. I do have some good news though. My hands are starting to improve and they do not feel as rough. I also found a very interesting course on how to regain eyesight naturally. When I was younger I just accepted that my eyesight continued to worsen as I kept wearing glasses and contacts. I never thought that wearing glasses or contacts was the problem. I am nearsighted with astigmatism and I am blind as a bat. For children that may be having eye problems, this course encourages parents to seek a pediatric ophthalmologist for their child as the chances of your child having to wear glasses is just 2 percent. By visiting an optometrist the chances of being prescribed glasses is 35 percent.

I’m fascinated with the idea of correcting my vision naturally. That would mean tossing out the glasses for good. How awesome would that be?! I’ll keep you informed on my goal to reclaim my vision.

So three things that I’ve learned since last week: 1) slime and contact lens solution are made of borax which is linked to infertility, reproductive damage and skin rashes, and 2) glasses and contact lenses cause vision to worsen, and 3) it is possible to reclaim your vision.

Share the knowledge with your family, friends, and loved ones. Stay curious. Start to think outside of the box and keep asking the hard questions. Our families and loved ones depend on us to keep them safe and well. To your health and happiness!

Set The World On Fire

In fall of 1994 I was among the students of the incoming freshmen class at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The freshmen class was gathered at William and Mary Hall for the convocation.  One of the speakers told us to look at the person on our left and then on our right.  The speaker went on to say that our class was among the brightest incoming classes ever.  I forget the percentage but it was something like 90 percent of my class were either salutatorians or valedictorians of their graduating high school class.  More importantly, the speaker passed on some very smart advice to us young men and women that every college student should take to heart.  He said, "Take classes that interest you.  If you've never taken a kinesiology class or a philosophy class take it.  Major in what you want to major in.  Not what your parents or your brother or sister want.  Major in what you want."

I did graduate from The College of William and Mary in four years and I'm very proud of that.  But I did not major in what my parents had planned for me.  They had hoped that I would choose a career path just like my late paternal grandfather, Pastor Fabunan, who was an accountant.  The truth was that the economics and business courses were not meant for me.  Yeah, they definitely were NOT meant for me!  I struggled and I humbly withdrew from or failed a couple of those classes.  Instead I majored in Spanish.  Why?  In my junior year I took a hard look at my grades and immediately noticed that my best grades were from my modern language classes.  At the time I loved immersing myself in the romance languages and I excelled in them especially Spanish.  There was also pressure from my mom to complete my studies in four years so a BA in Spanish it was! 

And this is true for much of life.  By pretending to be something that we are not we can never be happy or be true to ourselves.  Life will always be an upward struggle.  I love this quotation by Saint Catherine of Siena:  "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire."  Life is so short.  Why pretend or delve into misery, right?  

For about 12 years of my young professional life I was a banker for large and small banks and I did pretty well for myself.  The problem was that I pushed myself at work and I never really loved it.  I pushed myself to the limit working extremely late hours and even on the weekends.  I liked certain aspects of bank management like leading, coaching, and encouraging my team members but deep down inside I was never completely happy or satisfied.   

What changed for me?  I got married to a wonderful man and we had a beautiful baby boy.  But then my health spiraled downward and I hit rock bottom to the point of being bedridden.

Eventually I found the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and in a year I became a certified integrative nutrition health coach.  I utilized the knowledge that I learned from IIN and thankfully I started to heal my condition.  I was so intrigued with the use of food as medicine that I continued my education taking an alternative healing course.  I then used that education to help myself completely heal and my own family heal their conditions ranging from eczema, food sensitivities, high blood pressure, and heart burn.  I continue to take holistic health courses because of my passion in helping others heal their own conditions.  And, yes, since I've found my calling I want to set the world on fire!

I believe that any disease or ailment can be reversed.  Anyone can heal with the right foods, mindset, and proper rest.  That's the beauty of working with a health coach especially an integrative nutrition health coach.  We health coaches are trained to really listen to our clients and help them heal on a deep physical, emotional, and spiritual level.  

I love the flexibility that I am allowed.  I am able to be the kind of wife, homeschooling mom, blogger, and integrative nutrition health coach that I want to be.  Thanks be to God, my faith and family will always come first but I have found a wondrous joy in health coaching and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing.  Find your truth, your voice, and your purpose, and you will set the world on fire.  And after that there is no going back!

For A Healthy And Happy 2018

Sign up for one of my programs!

My 1 Month Health Coaching Program

““Take classes that interest you.  If you’ve never taken a kinesiology class or a philosophy class take it.  Major in what you want to major in.  Not what your parents or your brother or sister want.  Major in what you want.””

“I love this quotation by Saint Catherine of Siena:  ’Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.’”

---

The Heart

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world.  It has affected my own family -- heart disease was the cause of death for my maternal grandparents who died at relatively young ages, as well as my paternal grandfather.  

My maternal grandparents had eleven children but only three are still  living.  My mom and her two younger sisters have surpassed their parents' age at their deaths.  Most of my maternal aunts and uncles died from heart complications including heart attack and stroke, and passed away in their 40s and 50s.  

And earlier this month actor Alan Thicke passed away from a heart related issue.  This sad news reminded me of how important heart health is and how important it is to care for your heart as well as the other major organs in the body.

My Health For The Holidays series is all about taking steps now to nurture and strengthen these organs in order to enjoy a fruitful, healthy life.  I am starting with the heart because heart disease is such a common health problem.

What Are The Leading Triggers For Heart Disease?

1. Inflammation
2. Infection (viruses, parasites, bacterial) which leads to inflammation
3. Poor immunity which leads to infection which leads to inflammation
4. Overeating (excessively heavy meals)
5. Stress

Foods That Support The Heart

As with many other health issues, there are certain foods that can help people with heart disease and there are foods that should be avoided.  People with high blood pressure should consume less red meat, eggs and spicy food.  They should eat more fish, chicken, turkey, fruits, and vegetables.  Fried foods are harmful because they congest the heart.  Coffee should be avoided.  Water should be the beverage of choice when supporting the heart.  Herbal teas are also an excellent choice.     

Health For The Holidays Tea Collection

As part of my Health For The Holidays series, a sample blend of delicious herbal teas will be offered to anyone who signs up for my 6 month program (sample teas are available to US residents only at this time).  My Health For The Holidays Tea Collection includes Heart Tea I, Heart Tea II,  Kidney Tea, Gut Tea, and Wellness Tea.  Each tea is specifically mixed with just the right amount of medicinal herbs that target good heart, kidney, and gut health, as well as good bodily function.  All teas in my collection are made with organic, high quality herbs that have been used for thousands of years in eastern medicine.  This is food that is truly medicine that will help heal the heart.    

Who Can Drink Heart Tea I and Heart Tea II?

Heart Tea I can be taken by anyone who wants to support heart health even those who do not have heart problems.  Anyone who has suffered from a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, venous thrombosis, and any other heart problem will benefit greatly from Heart Tea I.

Heart Tea II is specially mixed for those of you who have high blood pressure.  

Men, women, and children can have Heart Tea I and Heart Tea II.  I would recommend smaller amounts for children since they are still growing and don't need as much as adults.  The teas are also safe to drink during pregnancy.  For adults who really need the heart support, I would replace a cup of coffee with this delicious heart tea daily.  

Consult With Me For A Healthy Heart

Want more ways to support the heart?  I am available for a free hour long consult to discuss your health history.  And of course, you can also decide to sign up for my 6 month program. 

My 6 Month Program (which can be extended) includes:

• 1-hour scheduled coaching sessions twice a month
• Unlimited email and phone support throughout the program
• A pantry makeover
• Delicious recipes and natural food recommendations
• Guidance in making lifestyle adjustments 
• Health For The Holidays Tea Collection gift set (for a limited time only)

You can work with me in person, virtually (Skype or FaceTime), or by telephone through one-on-one or group sessions.  To schedule an appointment, I may be reached at info@elainejavier.com or here.  

The Good News

There are studies that show that most disease can be reversed given the proper foods and timing.  My tea collection and other suggestions are not an immediate cure all for heart disease but with patience and consistent effort, you will see positive results, and in time your body will heal with the right nourishment and support.

If you would like the opportunity to try my Health For The Holidays Tea Collection, please like and comment below.  One participant will win a gift set to try out the teas at the end of my Health For The Holidays series.  

Cheers to a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy heart!  I'm giving you a huge virtual hug but give yourself a hug and your loved ones as well.  Your heart will thank you!

“All teas in my collection are made with organic, high quality herbs that have been used for thousands of years. This is food that is truly medicine that will help heal the heart. ”

---