Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Enjoying the Process...

We live in a world of instant gratification - smart phones, skype and downloads.  When making lifestyle changes we want to see instant gratification after a few weeks.  Sometimes we are disappointed that we haven't reached that goal yet.  

When I decided to make some major lifestyle changes I took a few minutes and made a list of all of the things that I wanted to see a change in my life so I could go through the process of enjoying how things were changing.  It's a good exercise to do because when your body and life changes you can go back and remember why you felt the way you did and how you feel when it changes.

What I'm talking about is celebrating the small victories.  Just these past few weeks I've been able to celebrate one or more items off my list.  One of the biggest ones was to get off my heart medication.  I just got the green light from my cardiologist to stop taking both my blood pressure meds and my heart rhythm meds.  Woo Hoo!  That's huge for me.  My blood pressure has normalized my heart rhythm is normalizing and now I have to deal with is the pacemaker implant.  But I'm good with that!

Over the past year, I have transitioned into using only Himalayan Pink Salt in all of my cooking and I carry a little bit with me to use to season food when I'm out at a restaurant.   I have completely stopped using regular table salt and most other salts as well.  Himalayan Pink Salt has 84 trace minerals that if you begin to use this salt consistently it will begin to make positive changes within your body.  I don't live without salt and for me to get off of blood pressure medication and keep eating salt - there's your proof!  

Here's a link to some more information Himalayan Pink Salt.  It's one of my most popular posts.  

Enjoy your food and learn how salt can transform your ingredients by enhancing the flavor.  Who say's eating healthy has to be boring?  I'm living proof that healthy food can be made with a lot of flavor.  Check out my new blog Wickedlydelicious.blogspot.com for recipe ideas.  Submit your email address and each time I post a new recipe it will be delivered to your email so you can stay on top of tips and recipe ideas to help transform your life.

So next time you get down because the scale hasn't moved one day, try looking at your list to see if there is something that can get crossed off.  

Small Victories...Now that's something to celebrate!

Enjoying the process is really the most important part of the journey...Stormy

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Oil of Oregano Healing


Herbs play an important role in the way they transform food.  But did you know that herbs hold power and energy and may be used for healing?  All herbs have healing properties and understanding the essence of the science behind herbs is called Ayurvedic Herbalism.  

"Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.”  It is a science of living that encompasses the whole of life, and which relates the life of the individual to that of the universe.  As such it is open to and includes all life, and all methods that bring us into greater harmony with life. Ayurveda is not of the east or the west, of ancient or modern time. It is one with all life, a knowledge that belongs to all living beings"

Frawley, Dr. David; Lad, Dr. Vasant (2001-11-01). Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine

I've been researching Oil of Oregano and had an encounter with a medicine woman recently at a local Whole Foods Market.  She called herself Eagle Woman and had studied healing with American Indian Tribes and evidently works on the weekends at the local Whole Foods store.  I was discussing my issue with my psoriasis and sinuses and she took one look at my hand and handed me a bottle of Oil of Oregano.  I thought, what the hell - I had just read about that and I'll try it.  After some research I found the following information that I believe you will find pretty interesting as well.

Wild Oregano has been helping people in the Mediterranean maintain good health for centuries. Studies have been performed and confirmed on the powerful antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties of Wild Oregano. Oil of oregano is one of the most potent antiseptics known to man.   Its anti-microbial properties have been thoroughly tested.   It is so effective that in terms of its ability to kill a wide range of microbes, there is nothing better in either synthetic or natural medicine.

A long list of ailments that have been effectively treated with the use of Oregano Oil:

acne, allergies, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, candida, constipation, croup, dandruff, diarrhea, digestive disturbances, insect bites, bronchitis, canker sores, colds, flu, earaches, fatigue, gum disease, headaches, menstrual irregularities, muscle pain, parasites, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, psoriasis, toenail problems, seborrhea, ringworm, rosacea, sinusitis, varicose veins and warts.

Oregano is high in Carvacrol which is a type of phenol and is only found in a few herbs, most notably, oregano. Phenols are well known as being potent antiseptics and synthetic phenol, known carbolic acid, was the standard antiseptic in use for much of the 20th century.  Even as late as the 1950s, carbolic acid was used in hospitals to sterilize instruments prior to surgery.

According to research done at Georgetown University in 2004, it even kills antibiotic-resistant super-germs. And it does this without causing any bacterial resistance.  This is something that even powerful pharmaceutical drugs are unable to do. 

The Greeks used oregano to treat conditions such as headaches, wounds, lung disorders, snake bites, and even congestive heart failure. But what can it be used for today?  

Teenagers can use it to treat acne.  Just add a few drops of the oil to the liquid soap and also lightly dab directly onto the skin. Don’t apply it to skin that is broken or it burn slightly.  

Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, oil of oregano possesses very strong anti-inflammatory powers, which makes oil of oregano an ideal treatment for arthritis.  It may be taken internally or by rubbing it on the point of pain, therefore it will help alleviate the pain.  Phytotherapie Research published a study that showed that the oil had morphine-like properties, and so is well-suited to pain relief. 

You can increase your intake of vitamin K, which is one of the more commonly undervalued fat-soluble vitamins. Increased vitamin K intake can help improve your cardiovascular system by keeping calcium away from your arteries, among other things. And speaking of calcium, vitamin K is also effective for keeping your teeth and bones healthy as well as reducing risks for diseases such as osteoporosis.

Oil of oregano also increases your intake of essential minerals such as manganese and iron. Iron helps in lowering risk for cancer and treating insomnia as well as improving your sleep. Iron is also known to strengthen the immune system. Manganese, on the other hand, is known to aid in calcium absorption, metabolism, and regulation of blood sugar levels.

Oil of oregano is obtained from the oregano plant. But not all oregano plants are the same, and the medicinal quality oil is distilled from specific species of wild oregano, usually grown in the pristine mountains of the Mediterranean. As far as its antiseptic properties go, the medicinal variety of oregano bears no relation at all to the commercial oregano grown for food production. This point often causes a great deal of confusion.

Sinusitis can be treated using oil of oregano.  Recent studies at the Mayo Clinic showed that mold is the contributing factor to sinusitis and it was growing in the sinus cavities.  Oil of oregano is the perfect solution to treating mold plus it can assist with opening up blocked sinus passages.  This is the first reason I purchased oil of oregano.  I was having persistent sinus issues and didn't want to take a decongestant due to my heart

But beware that you shouldn't use oil of oregano inside the nasal passages, as they are far too delicate. There is also an oil of oregano nasal spray available, called SinuOrego and it is ideal for this purpose.   

Oil of oregano’s compounds, including carvacrol and thymol, are very effective in killing Candida, one microbe that is suspected of causing eczema and/or psoriasis.  In this respect, oregano oil can be a good alternative for treating these skin ailments.

Apply oil of oregano topically to the affected skin area. Mix 2 drops of oregano oil with 5 ml of extra virgin coconut oil and rub this mixture in the affected area twice a day.  If your skin is irritated and develops a rash, discontinue this procedure and just take it internally.

Take 2 to 4 drops of oregano oil daily. You can put it under your tongue or you can mix it with a glass of water, juice or tea.  If you are able to use this oil topically, taking it internally as well will facilitate your healing.
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I just purchased Oreganol brand to use.  It's pretty expensive...about $30 for a very small bottle.  But, I'm hoping to have it assist with healing my psoriasis and sinus issues I'm experiencing.  My inflammation has halted since I started a wheat free diet which is the best news I've received in a very long time!  However I'm still experiencing issues with my psoriasis.   So hopefully using this oil of oregano will do the trick!  Have you had an success using oil of oregano?  If so, share your story with me.

Thanks for stopping by...Stormy 

 

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Ready For A Transformation...

It's been 7 years since I felt normal.  I know that's difficult for many of you to understand and I honestly I don't know what feeling really good feels like since I've been searching for relief from my pain that I have been experiencing with my inflammation from my psoriasis and arthritis that I have developed from the psoriasis.  For a long time I wasn't sure what was wrong with me besides the psoriasis.  

Since I started writing my blog and discovering the powers of the universe I had been searching for the truth and wanting to incorporate natural elements to help heal me.  This is where the Twist of Life came from.  My search to regain life and share my journey with others.

Last summer my psoriasis was so severe that I was extremely miserable.  I had been avoiding going to a dermatologist because I knew I would be pumped full of medication that had worst side effects than the healing of the issue.  I had tried several creams and everything I could find to help me and I know there are other people out there with the same issues.  

When I saw the doctor last year he started me with an ointment that worked a little bit.  Then he decided to do a more aggressive treatment and have me give myself shots.   I started doing it in October last year and it didn't help my psoriasis but it did help my inflammation and the pain that was penetrating my body.   However the side effects scared me but I was desperate.  I gave myself shots once a week.  It would help some but I still felt bad. 

These shots eventually started making my hair start to fall out and my face was getting some little bumps on it.  I freaked out and now I have stopped taking my shots.  The first week I was in pain, that is when I started to stop wheat.  The second week it eased up and then the third, even better.  This past week was week four and I don't have any pain.  Wow - I can't tell you how good I felt today.  I noticed it so much more. That makes me exited to see how the next few weeks will be for me.

I believe that I am utilizing as many things as I can to help me.  Using good quality food ingredients from Himalayan Pink Salt as a replacement for all of my salt consumption.  I carry a little bit with me to season my food when I'm not at home.  Cutting salt from my diet wasn't an option, I believe it elevates the flavor of food.  Since switching to Himalayan Pink Sea Sat it has made a major difference in the way I feel.  It's so pure and filled with 84 trace minerals that are healing to the body.  It flavors food like no other salt I've ever used before.  Knowing that is helps lower blood pressure and restore the body from lost minerals only works if it's consumed daily.  

Taking steps to make better choices, cook for myself daily using whole ingredients is the key.  Over the next few months I know I will see big changes in body.  My blood pressure is normal and hasn't been that way in a long time.  I hope to back off my heart medicine and begin to live a more normal drug free life.

I hope that I can help others see that there are other options out there than drugs and frustration.  So far it's working for me and if you are struggling with the same issues or know someone who is, please try these same things I'm doing and let me know if it works for you too.

Many Blessings...Stormy


Thursday, June 7, 2012

This week I can dance...

It's been an exhilarating last couple of weeks!  Business has been busy and I've have been feeling really good.  It's been almost a month since I cut wheat from my diet and then this past 2 weeks I've really transitioned into consuming whole foods, nothing processed.  I can't tell you how much of a difference I feel inside.  My energy level is through the roof and I have a little skip in my step. 

The inflammation in my body is lessening and I can tell a major difference in the way I feel.  My psoriasis is getting better and I have lost...10 lbs!

I've been DDP Yoga and I'm loving it.  My body feels so much better.  I need to keep doing it to see it transform my body but I know it's working.

Making a commitment to change the way I cook and eat is baby steps.  Here are some of the things that I believe are making a difference.


Stop eating fast food
Omit Wheat
Change your ingredients to nutrient rich products
Cook Daily
Omit Sodas
Omit Alcohol (...I know)
Move

If your interested in recipes that I've been making during this transition, check out my new blog where I post Wickedly Delicious recipes and tips. 

Thanks for stopping by...
Stormy