This is not always our fault. Without intending to do so, our caregivers passed on their ideas of lack and limitation on to us. These limiting beliefs could be about our personal potential, money, sex, relationships, health, work, religion and spirituality or any thing else that defined their life. As we grow older we unconsciously allow these thought patterns to guide our lives as well.

‘Only dishonorable people get rich’

‘You’ll never amount to anything’

‘You are a sickly child’

‘Don’t talk to strangers’

‘You can’t trust anyone’

‘Being a musician/artist/writer/____ never makes a living’

As women we are raised on an additional set of negative beliefs about our body, our sexuality and our femininity. We are taught that speaking up for ourselves is wrong. We are taught that every woman’s role is to keep others around her healthy and happy. We are taught that ruffling feathers should be avoided at any cost….

Ryan Gosling

I call this the ‘toxic inheritance’, one that slowly erodes our inner light and wisdom.  Before we know it, we begin acting out in exactly the same fashion as our parents or caregivers. This, in my opinion, is a disservice to our authentic self. Like a cyclical pattern, it is our responsibility to break free from these limiting beliefs – without blame or resentment -and give ourselves the opportunity to live a life of love, joy and creativity.

As I became aware of these patterns in my life, I yearned for techniques to dissolve them. Then I came across a book  called ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ by Louise Hay. In this book was a list of ailments with corresponding affirmations for each of them. I was intrigued. I always believed in the mind-body connection, and here was a book dedicated to the subject. Page after page, Louise shared generously from her life’s experiences, forcing me to look at my own life and the limiting beliefs that I held close to my heart.

The words that shook me up the most were:

“I know, you want everybody and everything to change. Your mother, boss, friend, sister, lover, landlord, neighbor, minister, or government official must change so that your life can be perfect. It doesn’t work that way. If you want change in your life, then you are the one who must do all the changing. When you change, then all the other people in your world will change in relation to you.”

After finishing the book, I began writing down affirmations for myself every morning. Then I recorded them on my iPhone and listened to them during my walks or travels.

Slowly but surely hearing my own voice affirming these positive thoughts began to shift my sense of self. I realized I had so many limiting beliefs about my body, creativity, health, finances and professional capabilities that I was my own worst enemy! Coupled with other holistic healing techniques, affirmations became an integral part of my life.

Want to get started on affirmations? Here are some examples. You can make your own and repeat/write them down everyday to unlearn the limiting beliefs.

The power of affirmations

Do you use affirmations or find yourself stuck in the same patterns again and again? Please share!

Articles

Meditation In Action: 5 Tips For Incorporating Mindfulness Into A Tech-Centric World

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Do you check your e-mail from your bed? Do you immediately hop on Facebook or Twitter? The modern world makes it difficult to “turn off.” The folks at Headspace propose five practical tips on the mindful use of technology. Earlier this week I wrote about some meditative techniques for beginners.

The Truth About Female Desire: It’s Base, Animalistic and Ravenous

Are women more naturally monogamous than men as we’ve been led to believe? Is female sexuality as wild, ravenous and untamed as men? In this blog post on AlterNet, Tracy Clark-Flory reviews a book that will turn everything you know about sex on it’s head.

10 Things I Wish Every American Knew About Health

Despite throwing tons of money at the problem, Americans really are sicker than ever. Chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, anxiety and depression are wreaking havoc with our minds, bodies and bank accounts. A doctor weighs in.

People To Watch!

Congressman Tim Ryan appeared on my radar when I watched him on CBS explaining the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Last year Hay House published his book A Mindful Nation, a book about the practice of mindfulness in both private and public life. In his words:

If more citizens can reduce stress and increase performance – even if only by a little – they will be healthier and more resilient. They will be better equipped to face the challenges of daily life, and to arrive at creative solutions to the challenges facing our nation.

Check out his latest article Choose Love Over Fear and follow him on Facebook for latest updates. The world needs more people like him!

Products

Sometimes voting with our dollars is difficult if we don’t know the parent company of a product. This free app, aptly called Buycott will look up the product, determine what brand it belongs to, and figure out what company owns that brand (and who owns that company, ad infinitum). It will then cross-check the product owners against the companies and brands included in the campaigns you’ve joined, in order to tell you if the scanned product conflicts with one of your campaign commitments. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Books:

Fresh Fruits, Broken Bodies

Ever wondered where your produce comes from and under what conditions it is harvested? Seth Holmes, an anthropologist writes about his experience of spending five years with Mexican migrants, witnessing first hand their suffering and ill treatment. This is an important book that weaves the contentious issues of food regulation and immigration together. I believe this issue affects the physical and spiritual health of America and her people. Some serious food for thought here.

Great Sites

Do our countless online connections actually make for deeper, more fulfilling friendships? Lifeboat is on a quest to find out and their findings aren’t that encouraging. We are lonelier today than ever before. Two Brooklyn friends are planning to change all that with a bold new vision. Check out this info graphic by them and see how you can become a LifeBoat insider.

Videos

This is such a great combination of information and entertainment by Dr. Mike Evans! Check out this video called:

23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?

Inspiration

Who’s diving into new adventures this summer?

Just say YES!

What nourished you this week? Please share!

This is the second part of a series on the importance of knowing and loving the self. I will share a bunch of self-exploration and empowerment techniques and tools. In part 1 we discussed the importance of self-love. Please be warned that this series might drastically change your life so fasten your seat belts and lets get started

Hey Girl

“Once you have tasted meditation, it is impossible for you
to be in any misery. Bliss becomes inevitable.”

- Osho

Meditation is a difficult phenomenon to describe in words. The experience is simple, yet it has a profound effect on our entire being. Connecting with and operating from our center gives us the opportunity to live our life with more joy, clarity, purpose and creativity. Meditation helps us move from the doing, thinking creatures we usually are to simply being, settling into our center. When we operate from this center, we are pure potential.

For most of us, our daily lives are made up of thoughts, emotions and reactions to our immediate circumstances, past experiences or future worries. What if we could tap into the powerful source within, which connects us to the present moment, to this is-ness? Like cars passing by on the street, we simply begin to watch our thoughts, without attaching to them. This practice of being aware of our inner and outer environment can change the quality of our lives.

As women, a regular meditative practice helps us get in touch with our intuitive capacity. It helps us distinguish between the inner voice that guides us to our highest good, to all the other voices that we have internalized into our subconscious mind, from our external environment, that don’t serve us well. Our power lies in the womb and in all spiritual practices, the area around our navel, also called the hara, is at the center of all existence.

Active meditations

As an Indian, I felt meditation came naturally to me, that there was no need to learn anything. And yet, I found myself confused and helpless, often consumed by strong negative emotions. I had no idea who I was and where my life was going, and I didn’t really have a sense of happiness other than when someone expressed his or her approval towards me.

I started with active meditations when I was twenty two. Almost immediately years of suppressed thoughts, emotions, stresses and toxins began pouring out of my system. After this release I was truly ready and available to experience the silence within. I felt an immense freedom, joy and lightness as I practiced these meditations: I felt energized, filled with a desire to reclaim and celebrate my life. I was discovering who I was, learning to accept and love myself unconditionally.

It was a love affair with myself and I was on a never-ending honeymoon!

I highly recommend any or all of active meditations as a way to start your journey towards meditation. They are available on iTunes, Amazon and the official website iMeditate.osho.com

Transform your energy with meditation

Insight meditation

Another simple but effective and technique is called insight meditation or vipassana. By sitting in silence, and watching our breath, we are able to disconnect with all thoughts and emotions. This space allows us to get an insight into what is real.  Slowly this can become a way of life, where we are mindful about everything around and within us, from walking, to eating to working around others.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist monk and best selling author recommends an exercise, in the form of this poem, to help with our practice of mindfulness.

Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.

Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.

Breathing in, I see myself as a flower

Breathing out, I feel fresh

Breathing in, I see myself as a mountain

Breathing out, I feel solid

Breathing in, I see myself as still water

Breathing out, I reflect things as they are

Breathing in, I see myself as space

Breathing out, I feel free

This is a great way to start your day and it takes less than ten minutes. Repeat each of these sets five to ten times every morning and see how you feel. If you find that this exercise resonates with you, incorporate it in your daily schedule.

Guided meditations

Guided meditations are also a great way to start your meditation practice. They are akin to the training wheels on a bicycle, helping us find that space within, with some initial support. Guided meditations are usually a combination of soothing music and a gentle voice that guides us through specific issues: healing, stress-relief, spiritual growth and many others. Typically guided meditations begin with relaxing our body and mind, followed by affirmations or visualization techniques that allow us to release any negative thought-patterns that our subconscious mind might be holding onto.  Over time, these thought-patterns begin to dissolve, allowing us to experience calm, good health, clarity and a more positive outlook towards life. Some guided meditations I recommend to clients include those by Kelly Howell, and Abraham Hicks amongst others.

There are  so many other meditative techniques available out there. I’m also a big fan of crystal bowl meditations (like I mentioned in my previous post). Most Yoga studios or community centers offer meditations. If these involve sitting in silence perhaps you can participate in them after a rigorous workout or dancing. This will calm your body down and as a result, sitting will be easier.

The practice of self-awareness is a powerful step in the journey in the knowing and loving of the self. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the techniques that you liked here or practice already.

Articles:

10 habits of highly optimistic people

Yep, optimistic people are healthier. They have healthier hearts, better stress-management tendencies and lower risk for stroke compared to their glass-half-empty-seeing counterparts. So are some people just naturally predisposed to feeling optimistic? Or is it an acquired skill that needs practice? This article outlines ten habits that anyone can learn for a sunnier disposition.

15 things you should give up to be happy

Moving towards an optimistic attitude also requires giving up what brings us misery, causes us pain, stress and suffering. Aha! Yes the letting go process that cleanses, purifies and makes room for the new. Check out this article in WorldObserverOnline.

Viva la boobies

While men can certainly participate in this boobie-party, it is really for all the women out there! Our culture has made our breasts about something else than a complete, unapologetic celebration of our feminine power. This article is a great reminder to return to the original truth about our breasts, and revel in the goodness they bring in our world.

Events

March Against Monsanto
I participated in the March Against Monsanto, a worldwide grassroots campaign that brought local farmers, health activists and concerned citizens out on the streets, spreading awareness about genetically engineered foods and their impact on our health and the health of our planet. My friend Lisa captured some moments:

March Against Monsanto

Here are some great posts if you want to educate yourself on the subject:

Link between GMOs and organ damage

Documentary: Seeds of Death This is on my weekend to-do list.

List of non-GMO companies Want to vote with your dollars and support companies that are standing up against GMOs? Here’s a list of them!

Printable List of Monsanto Owned “Food” Producers

People to watch!

My (then) client and (now) dear friend Leah Nash launched her company website Trusted Source. Her company offers holistic marketing solutions (a focus on communication strategies that looks at the organization’s whole rather than just the parts). Leah works extensively with organizations that promote health and wholeness and believes in collaboration over competition and investing in back in community. I LOVE her energy! Also check out her blog. I think it looks stellar. What do you think?

Products

Vibram Five-Fingers: What’s better than sexy stilettos? Toe separating, earth embracing running shoes! After I attended a workshop on Yoga therapy for feet and knees, I realized my toes were spending too much time squished together.  And everyone, as we know needs space. Friendly toes included. So I bought a pair of Vibram SeeYa  and so far my feet have been happy and keeping my toes separated feels more natural than I thought it would. More when I take them for a spin.

Vibram Five Fingers SeeYa

Great sites

Disruptive Women In Healthcare

The blog’s mission is to serve as a platform for provocative ideas, thoughts, and solutions in the health sphere. Now in it’s fourth year the blog has become an online destination for innovative thinking on exciting health trends and current health policy issues. Also check out their Facebook  page.

Thug Kitchen

Want some potty-mouthed food advice? Head over to the Thug Kitchen, the site that urges you to ‘Eat like you give a fuck’. Some very healthy, delicious recipes garnished generously with cuss words. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I surely laughed out loud when I checked them out! Like their Facebook page!

Thug Kitchen

Inspiration

And finally a little dose of inspiration. Found this on my dear friend Anil’s Facebook page. Tan Yau Hoong is the original artist and you can buy a print here.

What nourished you this week? Please share!

This is the first part of a series on the importance of knowing and loving the self. I’ll be sharing a bunch of self-exploration and empowerment techniques and tools. Please be warned that this series might drastically change your life so fasten your seat belts and let’s get started

“When a woman becomes her own best friend life is easier.” 

― Diane Von Furstenberg

When news got out about the brutal gang rape of a 23-year old student in Delhi, I was gut-wrenched, heart broken and angry. Along with sorrow for the girl and her family, I was also reminded of my years growing up in India where misogynistic attitudes surrounded me. Women were expected to hide their body and femininity while very little was expected of the men.  For several days I followed the news closely until finally, a few days before 2012 drew to a close, the girl died, leaving a country ashamed and angry.

I was distraught for many days. I cried a lot, slept little. I felt angry with the men who did this to her. This anger was also aimed at people in my own life who ever abused, assaulted, groped and teased me, or allowed it to happen in front of their eyes. I knew burning with these negative emotions didn’t help me, or anyone, yet I couldn’t help but log on to the Internet every morning and check the news.

Then I went for a crystal bowl meditation. And everything changed. The calming, healing vibrations of the crystal bowls washed over me like strong waves, clearing the knots in my body and mind. The silent, peaceful energy of the community center, the loving hugs of other participants confirmed for me what I already knew: going within is always the answer to any external disturbance.

There are a lot of problems in the world today. As women we feel the pain of the planet very deeply. Our maternal instinct is to create, not destroy, to protect, not neglect and to heal, not harm. News of death and destruction of anyone, anywhere, hurts our heart and soul.

But getting sucked into fear or anger – be it individual or collective – is a waste of time and energy. In those moments, depleted of our natural resources of love, joy and creativity, we have nothing to offer.

Only when we have clarity about who we are, can we take action that makes a difference.

Self-love is the answer

Byron Katie once famously said,

“Clean up your internal world, and the planet is saved.”

That indeed is truly the only thing we can, and must do: build a healthy, toxic-free relationship with ourselves.

We often get so caught up in the roles we play in society: We are daughters, sisters, spouses or girlfriends, managers or team leaders. We are Indians or Germans, singers, travelers, smokers, vegetarians.

We forget who we truly are underneath it all. What if we could strip ourselves of the masks and stand naked to our true authentic self? What would emerge from within us then?

I’ve learned that the journey to knowing ourselves is never ending. Just like avid travelers can’t get enough of exploring and learning about different countries and cultures, the seeker never tires of unraveling the infinite mysteries within her. But all journeys must begin somewhere…

My experience has been that the journey of knowing oneself begins with loving oneself.

Self-love is our first destination.

In my next post I’ll share some techniques that help strengthen our relationship with the self, including my personal story.

About the image:

Lori Portka is a truly gifted artist with a heart-centered business and mission. She’s all about spreading happiness around with her beautiful art (prints, paintings, prayer flags, cards and much more). Check out her magnificent art on Etsy.

For the last few weeks I’ve had little to no desire to cook (which if you know me, is strange because cooking is absolutely one of my favorite things to do as creative self-expression).

But that’s not all, I’ve been craving and eating very specific foods: heavy, spicy, warm foods.

Thats code for: Indian food.

Now with summer around the corner this is a very odd choice of foods to eat. As it gets warmer we are naturally drawn towards light, raw, fresh foods. My cravings on the other hand, have been similar to those experienced in fall or winter when our body starts to hoard and prepare for colder temperatures.

But like a possessed person I’ve been gorging on Indian treats; khakras and parathas and aloo tikkis. Yum yum yum.

As a health coach I know that there are several reasons why people crave foods. And today while chatting with my friend about my strange inexplicable behavior I realized why I was craving these foods.

I was missing home.

Yes believe it or not, the foods we grew up on as kids become an integral part of our sense of self. When we are separated, physically or psychologically, with this feeling of home, we try and fill that void by ….eating foods that bring those memories back. This kind of craving is called ‘Inside coming out’ – cravings for foods eaten by our ancestors or by us as children.

So here I was, thousands of miles away from my beloved India and my loved ones, wanting some mommy-made food. The realization suddenly lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders because I’d been unconsciously beating myself up over these crazy, unfathomable cravings, asking myself

“What’s wrong with me?”

Actually nothing is wrong with me. Or any of us. We’re simply being talked to, by our bodies. How amazing are our bodies? They know when to go to sleep, wake up, go to the bathroom, maintain 98.6 degrees and contract the eyes when the light gets bright. It knows the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth. Our heart never misses a beat. Our lungs are always breathing. The body is a super-computer and it never makes mistakes.

But when we experience guilt or frustration about our cravings, we suppress the precious signals from our body that might deepen our understanding of the self. If we instead look at the foods, deficits and behaviors in our life that are the underlying causes of our cravings, we might get some precious insights into living a truly healthier life.

Many people view cravings as weakness, but really they are important messages meant to assist us in maintaining balance. When we experience a craving, we need to deconstruct it and ask ourself, “What does my body want and why?”

Here are some reasons we crave certain foods:

1. Lack of primary food

Being dissatisfied with a relationship or having an inappropriate exercise routine (too much, too little or the wrong type), being bored, stressed, uninspired by a job, or lacking a spiritual practice may all cause emotional eating. Eating can be used as a substitute for entertainment or to fill the void of insufficient primary food.

2. Water

Lack of water can send the message that you are thirsty and on the verge of dehydration. Dehydration can manifest as a mild hunger, so the first thing to do when you get a craving is drink a full glass of water. Excess water can also cause cravings, so be sure that your water intake is well balanced.

3. Yin/yang imbalance

Certain foods have more yin qualities (expansive) while other foods have more yang qualities (contractive). Eating foods that are either extremely yin or extremely yang causes cravings in order to maintain balance. For example, eating a diet too rich in sugar (yin) may cause a craving for meat (yang). Eating too many raw foods (yin) may cause cravings for extremely cooked (dehydrated) foods or vise versa.

4. Inside coming out

This is the kind of craving I was experiencing.Often times, cravings come from foods that we have recently eaten, foods eaten by our ancestors, or foods from our childhood. A clever way to satisfy these cravings is to eat a healthier version of one’s ancestral or childhood foods. Interestingly, my desire for these foods has subsided since I had my AHA moment. Sometimes just becoming aware of a pattern is good enough for its release.

5. Seasons

Often the body craves foods that balance the elements of the season. In the spring, people crave detoxifying foods like leafy greens or citrus foods. In the summer, people crave cooling foods like fruit, raw foods and ice cream, and in the fall people crave grounding foods like squash, onions and nuts. During winter, many crave hot and heat-producing foods like meat, oil and fat. Cravings can also be associated with the holidays, for foods like turkey, eggnog or sweets.

6. Lack of nutrients

If the body has inadequate nutrients, it will produce odd cravings. For example, inadequate mineral levels produce salt cravings, and overall inadequate nutrition produces cravings for non-nutritional forms of energy, like caffeine. Here’s a detailed chart explaining what nutrients your body might actually be craving for

7. Hormones

When women experience menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, fluctuating testosterone and estrogen levels may cause unique cravings.

8. De-evolution

When things are going extremely well, sometimes a self-sabotage syndrome happens. We crave foods that throw us off, thus creating more cravings to balance ourselves. This often happens from low blood-sugar and may result in strong mood swings.

So what have you been craving for lately? And how do you react to your cravings? Are you harsh or kind? Are you willing to dig deeper and get the bottom of things? I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts.

References:

Lux Coaching & Weight Management

Institute For Integrative Nutrition

And without further ado, here we go:

At the end of a long, tiring day, there is no feeling that beats being home. In the comfort of our space, we can enjoy some much-needed solitude, precious-moments with loved ones and a good night’s rest. What most of us don’t know is that our safe haven is often ‘home’ to a variety of toxins that add to the body’s exhaustion and stress. From hormone disrupting chemicals in household cleaners to high lead content in paint, there is a lot to watch out for in our home.

I believe there is a thin line between living an informed life and a paranoid one. This article’s purpose is not to stress or overwhelm you. Instead it is an invitation to become aware of some important facts so you can make informed choices for yourself and your loved ones.

We’ve been ‘lead’ astray:

According to World Health Organization, 1.2 crore people are overexposed to lead and 99% of the most serious cases are in the developing world. So what does lead exposure do? In the human body, lead is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, causing, serious damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves and blood. Lead exposure has also been linked to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Although inhaling fumes from paint in itself is pretty toxic, children are more at risk because of their constant contact with lead-based products, from walls to toys to playground equipment. so what do you do? get yourself and your family tested for lead and other heavy metals. Use lead-free paints whenever possible. Increase your consumption of foods rich in calcium and iron. This will help offset some of the damage caused from lead exposure. Spread the word so more people are informed and demand safer paint options as consumers.

Bye plastic bottles. Hello stainless steel and glass

Most plastic bottles are made of phthalates and BPA, toxic substances that leech from the bottle into the water, juice or other liquid it contains. BPA has been associated with certain types of cancers, diabetes, fertility issues, and developmental growth concerns. Research is finding that BPA-free plastic also might cause harm to the body. Stainless steel or glass bottles and jugs on the other hand are healthier alternatives. They are good for the family, and because of their easy recyclability, they are great for the planet too. Another perk of stainless steel bottles? They keep water cool and refreshing in the warm summer months without refrigeration!

Take A Peek Under That Kitchen Sink

Most household cleaning products come laden with toxic chemicals and xeno-estrogens. The latter are particularly harmful for women and can cause severe hormone disruptions. Some of the best and most effective household cleaning ingredients come in very harmless forms! Mix some vodka with eucalyptus oil and you have a bug spray, kitchen stove cleaner and air-freshener. Add some baking soda and vinegar together to clean your toilets and kitchen sink. Use olive oil and lemon to keep your wood furniture clean and shining. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with hot water makes for a great floor cleaner. Better still, call your grandparents and ask for tips. They lived a far more eco-friendly life than us!

Au Natural Is The Latest Beauty Trend

Most bath, beauty products available in the market today – soaps, shampoos, deodorants, hair sprays, cosmetics, lotions, body oils – are laden with sulphates, parabens and a host of other harmful ingredients. 60% of these are directly absorbed by our skin and enter the bloodstream without any filtration by the liver. Lead in lipsticks is known to cause neurological problems, blood disorders and depression. Toxic metals such as aluminum are widely used in deodorants and have estrogen-like effects, disrupting the function of the endocrine system. Phthalates, the synthetic fragrances in shampoos and lotions are linked to hormone disruption. Start with checking out the ingredient list of products. Anything you can’t pronounce? Maybe its time to move to simpler products. Baking soda and orange juice makes a great face mask. Honey, lemon and turmeric is a great cleanser. If you have to use packaged products look for organic options and always check the ingredient list to see what’s really in there.

Be a tree-hugger. Print less.

Honestly, paper usage has no direct impact on our health. And yet we have to just look around us to realize the effects of global warming and a receding green cover. Although technology has significantly reduced our need to print, there are times when hard copies of documents are required. Look for printing paper that is made of recycled paper (at least partially). If you’re using paper for personal use, then use the blank side of old printouts lying around the home or office. If you buy magazines and books, look for recycling options or donate to local libraries. Spread some bookworm love and save the earth!

Consume Less Create More

This has been my mantra for the last three years. Turning off the tap while brushing or switching off all lights before leaving the house. Taking water with me wherever I go instead of buying plastic bottles. Taking the extra effort to recycle what can be recycled and reuse what can be reused (jam and sauce jars can easily be used and used again). Small steps that make a big impact. Then there are bought goods. For everything I bring into the house, I ask myself:

“Do I really need this?”

“Can I make a safer (more fun) version of this at home?”

“Can I recycle it after I’m done using it?”

This simple exercise ensures my house is not cluttered with unnecessary plastic bags, pots and pans, decorative items, magazines and other unnecessary but enticing things. Becoming aware that most things we trash end up either in landfills or the ocean helps guide my consumption decisions.

Finally, Vote With Your Rupees!

We often underestimate our power as consumers. India is the twelfth largest consumer market in the world. That means our individual and collective consumption decisions can have a large impact on what the markets make available. If you’re an animal rights advocate, ask for cruelty-free products. Think big corporations are evil? Frequent local, mom-and-pop stores, boutiques and restaurants. Wish your grocery store sold organic produce? Get yourself and your friends to make phone calls till they stock up on the stuff.  Being conscious, responsible consumers is probably the most empowering thing we can do. It affects our own health and wellness and has a huge impact on the environment.

Wherever we live, from a high-rise in Mumbai to a tree-house in Sweden, we all really have just one home and one mother: our beautiful, magical planet. When we commit to take better care of it, we end up benefiting in the process. That’s a win-win situation!

While some people resent stepping into the kitchen, I look forward to it. It means I have the opportunity to create, meditate and celebrate with the green guys in the fridge! This weekend, I felt guided to make some chocolate. A few months ago, I had ordered raw organic cacao powder from Amazon. And except for the smoothies it hadn’t been put to much use. It sat there in the kitchen cabinet, waiting to be played with.

And so we played.

The recipe is super easy but before I share it, let me tell you about the incredible health benefits of its ingredients.

Coconut oil

In South India (where it’s summer all year long) coconut oil is king. It is used for cooking, body massages, head massages, soap making, oil pulling, automobile manufacturing and so much more. And no its not used in automobile manufacturing but you get the picture.Coconut oil boosts metabolism, strengthens immunity, helps support weight loss, and balances thyroid function. For more about this super food, please read John Douillard’s Coconut Oil: One Saturated Oil You Should Eat

In this recipe: 365 Organic Refined Coconut Oil from Whole Foods

Cacao

Raw cacao is the real reason we all love chocolate. It increases pleasure and relaxation by boosting the feel-good brain chemicals, endorphin and serotonin (increased libido, positive outlook, enhanced well-being – a few bites in and you are contributing to world peace!)

But cacao has another lesser known benefit: it helps with weight-loss. Yes raw cacao contains theobromine, a mild stimulant that promotes fat burning. You can have your chocolate and feel fabulous too. Win win.

In this recipe: HealthWorks Organic Raw Cacao Powder

Raw Unfiltered Honey

I used honey to sweeten this recipe’s pot. Raw unfiltered honey is rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals and often has healthy probiotic bacteria. It also has antibacterial properties and helps fight infections. Coconut oil also helps with the slow metabolization of honey into the body. Although I used two tablespoons I could’ve easily used half but go with your taste.

In this recipe: Locally purchased raw, unfiltered honey.

So without any further ado, here’s the recipe. This will make around 12 pieces/chunks:

Recipe

1 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Make sure coconut oil is runny and not solid. Mix it with honey and vanilla. Add cacao powder and salt. Pour into desired mold or dish (I used a heart shaped ice tray). Refrigerate until firm (this takes about 30-40 minutes).

Note:
Preparation time for this recipe drastically increases if you stand in front of the refrigerator, waiting for the chocolate to solidify. Guilty as charged

I had to pinch myself several times during this event but it wasn’t a dream. One of the most admired and revered names in natural healing was sitting in front of me, in the flesh.

Charlotte Gerson is the daughter of Max Gerson, a German physician who as early as the 1920s had discovered that a toxic-free,healthy diet could tap into the body’s natural healing mechanism and therefore cure diseases naturally. He cured himself of migraines, then cured others of migraines, then worked on patients suffering from tuberculosis and finally used his ‘migraine-diet’ to heal cancer patients, several of whom had been diagnosed with terminal cancer by conventional physicians. Charlotte founded the Gerson Institute in 1977 to spread awareness about this powerful therapy.

Charlotte Gerson was at the Florida School Of Holistic Living last month for a speaking and book signing event. Although I’ve watched her on documentaries such as the The Gerson Miracle and Hungry for Change, meeting her in person was an entirely different experience.

She is alive. She walks with no support. Her bodily movements are precise and measured. Her eyes glisten like a little girl’s, ready to take on the world. Her skin is flawless with no liver spots or signs of internal damage. She sits upright. She effortlessly recalls facts from eighty years ago.

She walks the talk. She is 91 years young.

Halfway through the talk, she held out her hands, flexed her fingers, and proudly proclaimed:

“I have no arthritis, no cataract, no backaches, no pain.

I take no drugs, no insurance and I have no doctor!”

Her words were equally, if not, more powerful than her physical presence. Here are my key takeaways:

1. pH balance is everything

Charlotte talked extensively about the importance of maintaining a healthy pH balance. After my diagnosis in 2009 , this was one of the first things I learned: maintaining a healthy pH balance is everything. A blog post I wrote in 2010 offers a detailed description. The long and short of it is that our body has to maintain a healthy pH level of about 7.35 to 7.45 in order to keep things in balance. This number is slightly alkaline, which is good. However if the pH dips below this and gets acidic things go awry. The body begins borrowing minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium from organs and bones in order to maintain the pH balance. Now the body’s under pressure, constantly working to eliminate acids from the body, which means it loses the capacity to fight disease and ailments. All disorders thrive in this environment! On the other hand, diseases have nothing to feed on if our pH is predominantly alkaline.

Most fresh, organic vegetarian foods, that form the basis of the Gerson Therapy, are alkaline. Everything else from dairy to animal protein to processed foods add to the body’s acidity, making it a breeding ground for all kinds of ailments.  Here’s a a chart for easy reference:

2. Heal one disease. Heal them all.

When these body’s natural defense mechanism is compromised we are susceptible to all kinds of disorders from the common cold to cancer. Similarly when its restored, the body is able to cure every disease no matter what you started out to heal in the first place. Our body does not discriminate! Immunity is strengthened, hormones are balanced, bone density is regained, organs function effectively, enzymes gain potency.

That to me is nothing short of a miracle. Those seeking magic should really just kiss their face in the mirror every morning. Your body IS a wonderland

3. Drugs make everything worse

Drugs add to the toxicity of the body. They might suppress symptoms but they hardly ever eradicate the cause from it’s roots. Treating is one thing. Curing is another. I know this from personal experience. My bronchial infections were treated with antibiotics for years. Despite treatment I’d be sick every other month. My digestive health got worse and my liver seriously damaged from all the toxicity, causing a host of hormonal health problems. In 2007 I decided to get off antibiotics and treat my lung infections through acupuncture (I hadn’t discovered nutrition by then. Boo).

We live in a pretty toxic environment already. The soil is damaged, our foods are sprayed with a cocktail of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. There’s chlorine in our water supply. Our cosmetic and household cleaning products are laden with nasty, harmful chemicals. A diagnosis, no matter how small or big, is an indication that these toxins have entered our body and disrupted it’s natural defenses.

Drugs add to that toxicity. So does chemotherapy.

The Journal of Clinical Oncology published a study in 2004 where researchers studied the 5-year survival rates of chemotherapy on 22 types of cancers in the US and Australia.

The results? The overall contribution of chemotherapy to 5-year survival in adults was estimated to be 2.3% in Australia and 2.1% in the USA.

Chemotherapy works 2.3% of the time. That’s it. Yet it remains the primary and most recommended treatment for cancer.

Why?

Each session costs between $2500 to $10000.

Now we know.

Here she is with a ninety year old gentleman called Carl.Carl was diagnosed with terminal melanoma 33 years ago. After failed chemotherapy treatments he was given 6 weeks to live. So he packed his bags and went to The Gerson Institute as a last ditch attempt.

He sat there able and healthy, happily sharing his experiences at the institute: walks on the beach and all those tasteless green juices he had to drink!

How is that possible? And how come we don’t hear these stories more often?

4. Yay potassium. Nay sodium

Our diets today comprise three main flavors: sugary, salty or creamy (fatty). Traditional dietary theories such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine recommend we get all six flavors in our diet: salty, sugary, sour, astringent, pungent and bitter. Unfortunately sugary, creamy foods and salty foods damage our immune system equally. Charlotte spent some time talking about the health hazards of sodium consumption. According to her, our body needs much higher quantities of potassium than sodium. Human milk has less sodium than animal milk (she warned strongly against dairy!) because animal babies need to grow very quickly in order to be part of the herd and move. Human babies take much longer to stand and develop their bodies and their brain growth is supported by potassium consumption, not sodium consumption. In adults, potassium regulates the body’s pH levels, supports cardiovascular health and improves blood pressure. Too much sodium can inhibit enzyme growth and also stimulate tumor growth.

5. Coffee enemas are cool

Enemas help eliminate toxins from the system. Ayurveda also relies on anemas for complete and thorough detoxification. I’ve had enemas in India that used oils. The Gerson way is to use coffee. When a person undergoes the Gerson treatment: the healthy foods, the nutrient-dense juices (and supplementation) the immune system attacks the tumor tissue, breaking it down. These toxins and other free radicals, if not eliminated from the body can overburden and poison the liver (which is the most important organ responsible for detoxification. Enemas ensure complete and proper elimination of these toxins from the body.

Charlotte didn’t touch upon the emotional aspects of cancer manifestation or any other disease for that matter. Louise Hay and Anita Moorjani are two cancer survivors who looked at not just their physical toxicity as a cause of cancer but their emotional toxicity too. I highly recommend their books You Can Heal Your Life and Dying To Be Me respectively.

I returned from this event energized and renewed in my resolve to do what I do: get people healthy before disaster strikes. On a personal level my love and enthusiasm for getting the word out a about healthy and conscious living was renewed. On a community level I realize it is my responsibility to make some noise about the bullshit we’re being fed by Big industry. We need to be informed and educated about every single option to heal and cure that is available to us.

What you can do

1. Educate yourself and others
   Movies:The Gerson Miracle

   Hungry For Change

   Food Matters

   Food Inc
   
   Books:
   
   The China Study
   

   The After Cancer Diet

   The Gerson Therapy
   

2. Question everything. When you contribute to cancer research, check where it is really going 
3. Follow people who’ve cured themselves naturally 

Jessica Ainscough (The Wellness Warrior)

Cris Karr (Crazy Sexy Life)

Chris Wark (Chris Beat Cancer)

Allan Taylor 

Janet Plant

I know I haven’t scratched the surface with all the resources available both off and online. So please add to this list by leaving a comment below.

Healing: The Gerson Way

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult your own doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you.

Avocados are great for women. In fact their pear shape resembles the uterus! Laden with healthy fats, they ensure proper neurological and hormonal function. These healthy monounsaturated fats help fight inflammation in the body. Avocados are also rich in Vitamin B6 – a vitamin that prevents anemia – calcium, proteins, magnesium and potassium – minerals needed for bone health, muscle vigor and boosting immunity.

The Avocado and the Uterus

In short, when it comes to keeping doctors away, the avocado gives the apple some serious run for its money.

So today I want to share three of my favorite uses of avocado. Two of them are recipes for internal consumption. One is a face mask that I sometimes make and apply on my pretty but dry face.

Yummy Chocolate Smoothie

Chocolatey Avocado Smoothie

This is a delicious, wholesome pick-me-up drink that is as great a morning beverage as it is as an afternoon replacement to coffee or tea. The raw cacao powder is a natural stimulant and gives a great flavor to the smoothie. I use raw cacao nibs for mine, but if you use powder, your smoothie will look a lot more chocolate-y!

You will need:

1/2 avocado
1 cup almond milk
honey
raw cacao powder or nibs

Blend together and enjoy!

Goodness-laden Guacamole:

Guacamole

I might have been Mexican in a previous life-time. I can eat guacamole all by itself, with tortillas, millet bread or indian parathas. Go figure. A great investment if you’re a big fan of mashed foods (avocados, sweet potatoes etc) is a masher. It makes mashing super easy, unlike a fork which can take a long long time.

You will need:

2 avocados
1/2 tomato (finely chopped)
1/2 onion (finely chopped)
1 lemon
1 green chilly
cumin powder
salt

Mash the avocados and add all other ingredients. If you want it hotter, then add green chillies or red chilly flakes. Enjoy with tortilla chips!

Avocado Face pack

Honestly, this was a chance discovery. I had half an avocado sitting in my kitchen after I’d prepared and devoured the smoothie. I googled for avocado face masks and several showed up. This one was simple enough.

You will need:
1/2 avocado
honey
Mash avocado till you have a smooth paste. A ripened avocado is recommended. Add honey. Apply the mask on your face, play some calming music and relax for fifteen minutes.