"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Diet and Lifestyle DO Matter (the male perspective)

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Hi, healers! Here is a GREAT guest post by a fellow Gerson/vegan person who has found substantial relief in just two weeks of starting the enemas and juices. When he sent me an e-mail to let me know of his success, I asked him to write a little something about his journey for you all to read. Enjoy! If you want to contact him, just drop me a line, and I will give you his e-mail address.

By Greg Dennis

Two and a half years ago, my doctor nearly killed me. I was prescribed a three week course of an antibiotic for a condition I didn't have, that sent me crashing down the harrowing path of chronic illness and in to the world of adverse drug reactions. When things were at their worst, I had roughly 30 symptoms with damage to most systems, glands, organs, and tissues. It was a delayed reaction so I had no idea what was happening. It took me about a year to connect the dots and figure out that I had been poisoned, ravaged by the very medical establishment I had trusted with my health. I got in touch with others. Some had healed. Some hadn't. There didn't seem to be any consensus on recovery other then that there was no consensus at all. For someone whose reason for breathing was to play basketball, living inside a body that was a medical train wreck was nothing less then derogatory. What do you do when you can't recognize your own life? When the body you've always taken for granted is violated and your health disappears - what do you do? You pick up the pieces, take control of your choices and change your lifestyle. Consider the opening lines of the great novel David Copperfield: "Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show." The guy was on to something.

I still have a ways to go but the more I read, the more I learn, the more empowered I become. I try new therapies (gerson being the latest and most promising) but the fundamentals to my physical well being never change - diet, stress management, movement, and healthy relationships. Each person I seek out in the field of alternative health leads me to someone else as the layers slowly unfold and certain realizations become clear. There are biological cause and effects that our choices have on us that no one can escape from -so my habits have had to change. Some out of necessity, others by choice. I've substituted mai thais for meditation and started a regular yoga practice. I juice daily, i've cut out all meat, dairy, alcohol, and coffee (unless I'm drinking it upside down via enema ) I found a good acupuncturist and trigger point specialist to help me get back on my feet. And I even invested in an infrared sauna while I continue to navigate through the one two steps forward one step back dance of set back and improvements. All of these things help me to keep up with normal earthlings in my day to day life. Of the many things i've learned: healing doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars, and it doesn't come from a magic pill (which is what got me here in the first place) It is a lifestyle shift that requires an open mind, patience, and a certain focus and resoluteness to give your body the things it needs to heal. I won't go so far as to say I'm glad this happened to me - I'm not. But I have learned a lot about myself and health that I would've never learned any other way. The more we learn the better choices we can make and the better chance we have to heal. Out of the darkness in to the light.

Join Kris Carr and the crazysexylife.com team as we say "Prevention is HOT!" this November

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Hi, healers! Have you seen the new crazysexylife.com newsletter? If not, check out this quote in Kris' introduction:


"Hey, let's invent something together. How about we make November National Prevention Month -- prevention of all BS, not just a specific disease? Ooh! That's crazy sexy! If you're on board, then spend the next 30 days focusing on self-care. Do it for yourself, do it for the broken sickcare system and do it for the next generation. This is a movement my friends. We need numbers. We need you."

Join my crazysexy pal, Kris Carr, and the crazysexylife.com team as we designate November "National Prevention Month." Let's take back the reigns of our health and focus on all of the luscious goodies that assist in creating and maintaining good health in all of its forms. I'm talking about a whole foods, plant-based diet, yoga, meditation, prayer, proper self-care, good mental and emotional health (therapy is super cool - I should know), and whatever else you can think of that contributes to that inner sparkle and sunshine that is fantastic health. We have a "disease-care" system in this country, not a "health-care system," meaning we spend years putting unholy junk into our mouths, minds, and hearts and enter the "health-care" system when we have been broken down into states of dis-ease. It is imperative that we begin to focus on prevention and quit taking our bodies, minds, and spirits for granted. Trust me, if you are in decent health today, you don't want to end up where I am tomorrow. Thankfully, I am getting a second chance. Start taking care of yourselves TODAY!

I'm sure we will hear MUCH more from Kris Carr on this fabulous idea she birthed, but for now, spread the word, get your butts over to crazysexylife.com for support, and eat your veggies!

Happy PREVENTION!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" -  Healthy Boundaries are Gorgeous

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Hi, healers! Within the past few weeks, I have received countless questions on my formspring page concerning how to establish and maintain (and enforce when needed) healthy interpersonal boundaries. This topic is especially important when one is living with chronic, acute, and/or terminal illness based upon the fact that unhealthy interpersonal relationships and stressful life events can flare and even aid in the progression of many dis-eases. When attempting to heal, spirits need to be flying high and stress needs to be kept low.

Many of your questions have been centered around the other person, stating, “I’ve set my boundaries, but this person won’t change.” Establishing and maintaining boundaries in your life is NOT about forcing others to change, but it is about deciding what you will and will not tolerate in your life followed by establishing how you will enforce those set boundaries if they are tested or simply ignored.

Communicating your limits firmly, consistently, succinctly, and without strong emotion (a.k.a. without blaming) is imperative because one never accomplishes his/her goals by putting the target audience on the defensive. You don’t want to create MORE conflict. Try saying something like, “It is super important that I avoid stress in my life so that I can heal, which includes X, Y, and Z.” Do not justify or rationalize your boundaries. This is not a two-way conversation but rather a polite, calm, firm, and respectful statement of your needs – no discussion added.

For those people in your lives who are particularly manipulative, controlling, abusive, and overbearing, stay firm, be VERY specific about what you will and will not tolerate, and be EVEN MORE specific about the consequences that you will enforce if your boundaries are tested and crossed. Again, this is not a two-way conversation. For example, you may calmly and respectfully let him/her know that if your boundaries are crossed, you will have to cut him/her out of your life for the time being. You come first, and that is OK.

Learning to set boundaries can take time, and like any other skill, you will improve over time and with practice. It is quite common for individuals, especially us people-pleasers, to feel guilty or selfish when establishing boundaries and saying “no,” but it is important to recognize that you have the right to take care of yourself without letting limiting belief systems get in the way of your mind-body-spirit health and wellness. You deserve unbounded happiness, you are worthy of luscious miracles, and you belong in healthy, loving, and respectful interpersonal relationships. If you require some daily affirmations to help yourself through the beginning stages of setting and enforcing your boundaries, repeat the last sentence over and over again several times a day while adding in, “I have the right to take care of myself.” If you don’t, who will?

Any Questions? I may add some concrete bullet points about how to establish and maintain healthy boundaries in a follow-up post, but this is a good start.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" -  Finding Beauty In Diversity

Finding Beauty In Diversity

By Sarah E Brown and Courtney Pool

While pressure to conform to societal beauty standards can be present for women of all sexual orientations, recent studies suggest lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women are especially vulnerable to disordered body image. (Source: Hardin, Kimeron N. Queer Blues: the Lesbian & Gay Guide to Overcoming Depression. Oakland, CA:New Harbinger Publications, 2001. Print.) The process of coming out as any non-normative identity can be difficult, and for queer women, negotiating physical beauty norms can be a tricky experience. According to a New York Times article published this week entitled "Up The Career Ladder, Lipstick In Hand", makeup and the trappings of femininity can garner increased respect in the workplace. Some women who love women prefer to wear pant suits instead of skirts, chapstick instead of lipstick, short hair instead of long hair, or something that straddles the borders between feminine and masculine. Regardless of how we feel most attractive or comfortable, we may have to normalize our appearance in order to cater to kyriarchical standards of attractiveness for women necessary to earn a living. Just because some women who love women don't sleep with men doesn't mean we don't still feel the same pressures to be thin, attractive, sexy, beautiful as those who do.

In a relationship between two women, body image and emotional eating issues are often amplified. According to the National Institute of Health, Women (of all orientations) are seven times more likely to have an eating disorder than men (of all orientations). Lesbians are at greater risk of binge eating disorder than heterosexual women. In a relationship, two women overall are statistically more likely to face more eating disorder behavior.

Learning to be compassionate with ourselves and others and embracing more holistic beauty standards can be paramount to healing body image issues. Additionally, we've found that a plant-source only diet rich in raw foods can help promote true health, which is beautiful! Eating a vegan diet rich in whole foods sends the message to yourself and to the world that you believe in promoting compassion for yourself and others. A compassionate diet promotes beauty within and without. Just like coming out as a lesbian or bisexual or non-normative sexuality can empower others to find the courage to embrace their own sexual identities, we’ve found that choosing to eat a healthy, plant-based diet and sharing this lifestyle with loved ones sends a powerful message to others that they may also embrace compassion.

 

 

 

Sarah E. Brown and Courtney Pool are currently working on a book on veganism and holistic health for women who love women. Material from this post is adapted from the project. If you are interested in contributing a story related to women who love women and holistic health, or networking in regards to this project, please contact courtneypool [at] gmail [dot] com.

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Be Aware of the Impacts You Make on Others

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Hi, healers! I'm so pleased you enjoyed my first guest post for the "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign by Lauren of Ginger is the New Pink. In the next few days, I am going to post another guest post by two women who are LGBTQ and animal advocates (vegan, of course), and they are also partners (as in women who love women).

It is so fitting that I just began co-coaching a basketball team comprised of thirteen and fourteen year old girls. The reason I am writing this post is to suggest that not only is good health gorgeous in all of its forms, but good role models are even more gorgeous and vital to the personal growth and development of others. Whether we realize it or not, someone somewhere is looking up to us and dissecting our every move with the intention of emulating what he/she sees. This is obvious if you have children in your immediate or extended families, but as a teacher, a coach, a public figure (blogger), etc., you will be directly or indirectly influencing the lives of others. Even on the every day, interpersonal level, the way you interact with and treat others, especially in their most vulnerable moments, will leave lasting imprints on their minds and hearts, and the most important legacy we leave behind is the legacy of how we treat others and therefore how they remember us. Remember that the next time you are about to lose your temper or make a sarcastic remark. The more you lift others up, the more likely they are to pay it forward and do the same.

I am the person I am today because of some fantastic role models, most importantly my parents but also coaches and teachers. When I saw someone extend a gesture of kindness, whether it was holding the door for someone or holding someone as he/she cried, I noticed the receiver's positive reaction and desired to emulate what I just witnessed. When I was the receiver of kind gestures, the lesson carried much more weight, and believe me, I have been on the receiving end of many kind gestures in my lifetime.

Awareness concerning the impacts you make on others and a concerted effort to make those and future impacts positive ones are such profound ways to BE the change you wish to see in the world. Great role models aren't just successful business people, they are well-rounded individuals who show empathy, kindness, compassion, mercy, non-judgment and acceptance toward all organisms, including themselves and especially the vulnerable, oppressed, and disenfranchised, and they own up to mistakes and take responsibility for their lives, the energy they bring into a space, and the impressions they leave on others.

While it may seem like an immense amount of pressure to be a role model, no one expects you to be perfect. We are all human, and that means our egos take over on occasion or often, and we make mistakes. It is what we do with those mistakes and lessons learned that allow us to build character and become great, shining examples that inspire others to be selfless and to live their best lives.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Lessons on Gorgeousness from a New Mommy

by Lauren of Ginger is the New Pink

Hello beautiful people!

I'm so honored that Maria asked me to write a post for her "Good health is gorgeous" campaign. She is such an inspiration to me, and I can't say enough good things about her. I'm lucky enough to have spent time with her in person, and she glows from the inside out!

I wasn't sure what topic to talk about. I have suffered from poor self esteem, distorted eating and I'm a constant worrier. I also have Crohn's disease, which flares when my stressing gets out of control. But my biggest lightbulb moment came to me recently, 11 months after giving birth to my beautiful daughter...

As I mentioned, distorted eating has been an issue for me in the past. I have starved, binged, over exercised, all just to fit what society tells us is beautiful. I grew up being able to eat just about anything without putting on a pound. I was an active cheerleader and pretty tiny. When puberty hit, I found I could no longer stuff my face with donuts and other garbage. I didn't even know I was starting to put on weight until a school mate had pointed out my new tummy and family members had started calling me "chipmunk cheeks". So I went on a fat free diet and got back down to my normal weight. But my "cheeks" didn't go away...

Always self conscious of my chubbier face, I hated having pictures taken, even though I was as skinny as someone could be. I had a baby face! Fast forward 5 years, I was diagnosed with Crohn's and told I would have to take prednisone, the drug that is known to cause "moonface".. I left the doctors office and ripped up the prescription. A few weeks later, I was hospitalized, receiving blood transfusions, all because I didn't want to look fat.

Having been on and off of prednisone for years now, I have come to accept the side effects. Before becoming pregnant, I had gained about 15 pounds. I thought I would have time to lose it, but fortunate for me, I was pregnant immediately. I felt so amazing while pregnant, my Crohn's was under control and I was eating like I've never ate before. I felt so free to be able to indulge in vegan sweets and gluten! I gained a ton of weight, and I was really worried about losing it. My self confidence was non existent, I barely have any pictures of myself pregnant. I truly regret that..

The day I had my daughter I started thinking about losing the weight, I went back to my high raw diet, I did the p90x workout program and I am breastfeeding, which helped a lot. At 11 months post pregnancy, I have lost all of the weight. But with this came a lot of compliments and I feel like I am always talking about my weight. My lightbulb moment came when I saw an episode of Oprah's Lifeclass where she talked about her ego after she did a show on herself losing weight. I thought about how uncomfortable it made me feel when people commented on my weight loss. I guess I should be proud, but I don't really feel like this is such a great accomplishment. I would much rather someone tell me I was smart or that I helped them in some way. Then I thought about my daughter and how I wouldn't want her to think that being thin was the most important thing in the world. I no longer wanted people to talk about weight in my or her presence. I want her to grow up confident for who she is on the inside. So I made a promise to her that I would show her how to glow from the inside out by being a good person and seeing the good in others. I hope that she grows up with a different mind frame then I did. I would never want her to think anything less of herself. I want her to show her shining light on the inside out.

I'm so happy that I had this moment. I feel like my outlook on life has changed and I'm not worried about what size I am. I want people to see the real me, the person I'm striving to become, one day at a time.

Thank you again, Maria for letting me share my story.

Lauren is my beautiful friend and a raw vegan, new mommy living with Crohn's Disease. Check out her blog!

Dr. Oz, Death with Dignity, and Me

Hi, healers! My Dr. Oz experience was serendipitous and amazing. I networked and met so many wonderful people in the hospice and palliative care fields, including LCSW's, board members, doctors, and lawyers (all involved in some way or another in either treating/counseling the terminally ill and their loved ones or creating, advocating for, and passing legislation). 

The "celebrity" guests were Montel Williams (love him!), Dr. Byock (a prominent figure in hospice and palliative care and also my father's childhood buddy - imagine his surprise as he sat in the audience!), a woman from Oregon involved in Death with Dignity, and some narcissistic a**hole psychiatrist. Excuse my language, but his personality leaves an awful taste in my mouth. He is grandiose and disrespectful, and I hope he is aware that he comes off that way, although a true narcissist will not care. His inflated sense of self and his lack of empathy for anyone but himself is deeply and profoundly disturbing. Sicko. 

I never once mentioned to the show that I live with RSD because I am so darn sick of talking and thinking about it. I thought, "for once I am going speak from a personal and professional experience with my LSW hat on." Think again! Before taken to her correct seat, a woman sat down next to me, and being the social worker I am, I asked what her position was on death with dignity. Imagine my surprise when she said she was for the laws because her son committed suicide one month ago due to 10 years of poor pain management for his chronic pain condition, RSD! I told her I also live with the disease, and she grabbed my hand and began to sob. Of course, I broke down, too. It was deeply moving for the both of us.

We were going to speak together, but someone who was so arrogantly against the laws was attacking Montel Williams and took up our slot. You might not see much of me but some horrified looks I gave listening to that jerk of a psychiatrist. 

The woman to my right was an LCSW, and her last MSW student was a girl my age with RSD! What serendipity! Can you believe all of this?! We exchanged information and have been e-mailing this afternoon. 

All in all, a truly enriching experience, but I really need to take it easy now. I have had five very busy and active days in a row.

Happy Healing!

My Appearance on the Dr. Oz Show Wednesday

Hi, healers! I just want to update you - I've been asked to participate in a panel on the Dr. Oz Show about my experiences working in hospice and my support of Death with Dignity Laws. It tapes Wednesday, so I am not sure when it will air. Wish me luck!

I'm also co-coaching a girl's varsity basketball team. The girls are 7th and 8th graders. We've had practice the last three days, and I did not pace myself well. Dealing with a bit of a flare from doing wayyyy too much. It's worth it, though. I'm having a blast, and the girls are great!

I will keep you all posted.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - The "Miss Representation" of Women

Hi, healers! To start off my "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign, please watch this video shared with me by one of my best and inspiring "loud and proud and out" friends, Brad (or B-Rad as I like to call him). It tackles the subject of the devaluation of women in the media and how young boys are conditioned from an early age into misogyny, creating a culture where women are misrepresented in a multitude of ways and in a multitude of places. My background is in sociology (and psychology), so this is a topic near and dear to my heart, which is why I started my "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign to rewrite the societal standards of beauty. Here is the longer, eight minute version I suggest you watch. You can find the shortened trailer below.



Thoughts? Questions?

Happy Healing (and equality)!

My "Good Health is Gorgeous" Campaign

Hi, healers! Today, I want to propose the launch of a new campaign thought up yours truly. It is called the "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign, and its purpose is to set a new standard of beauty in a society that focuses on unrealistic and unimportant standards and characteristics of beauty and projects them onto its members. We no longer have a realistic grasp on what authentic beauty is comprised of. Beauty is not waif thin models or botox injected celebrities. Beauty is stunning, brilliant health. It is subjective not objective, and it does not begin with the perfect sized lips, hips, breasts, and whatever other physical attribute is "hot" and in vogue at the moment. Beauty starts from the inside, and I don't mean personality. I'm talking about the health of your internal organs, and it is followed by the health of your mind and spirit. A whole foods, plant-based diet is beautiful, and mental health is just as important as physical health. Mental health therapy is not only cool, it is scorching hot and beyond sexy, and great mental and emotional health are as gorgeous as it can get. Let's start a movement and make health our main priority and not toxic manicures, pedicures, highlights, caked on makeup, and hair extensions. Put your foot down and refuse to give in to societal standards of beauty while taking a bold and beautiful step in the direction of good health. A plant-based diet, yoga, meditation, healthy interpersonal relationships, proper stress management skills, self-love, spirituality, and good health are gorgeous! Join me as I attempt to rewrite the beauty script and spread good health cheer where it is most needed - EVERYWHERE!

Each week, I will bring light to a subject that contributes to the gorgeousness of good health, and if anyone wants to share their stories about reprioritizing and redefining what beauty means in your lives, feel free to e-mail me at mariamooney@comcast.net with your story and suggestions. If you'd like to cross-post on your blog and link back to my blog, feel free! This is just my beginning thoughts, so stayed tuned for much much more and join me in this initiative!

Happy Healing!

Indian Summer

Hi, healers! The weather was beautiful this weekend here in New Jersey. It was more like fall/winter in my beloved second home, Miami, FL. My parents and I took Shorter to our favorite organic farm stand and then to the beach to enjoy the sunshine.

Look what my dad and mom gave me! An original 1970 Prefontaine Sports Illustrated! It goes perfectly with my Frank Shorter Sports Illustrated when he won the Olympic gold medal in the marathon in the early 1970s.

I'm still going strong with Gerson Therapy and enjoying being off any medication for pain, even Advil. It feels great :-)

Don't forget to check out my chronicbabe.com post.

Happy Healing!



My ChronicBabe.com article

Hi, healers! My chronicbabe.com article is up. Check it out!

"Her pain has become her greatest gift: Maria Mooney, guest blogger

by Maria Mooney, guest blogger (she's HappyHealing44 on Twitter)

Approximately four years ago at age 23, I was diagnosed with the "progressive and incurable" neurological disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also commonly referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and I swore that the entire world could see the Scarlet “RSD” burnt onto my chest as a sign of warning to avoid the sick girl contaminated by chronic pain at all costs. Would I ever be able to go to graduate school? Would a man ever love me? Was I now damaged goods? Could I ever live a "normal" life?

Since then, I have graduated with a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work, passed my Board exam to become a licensed mental health professional, been loved by many men (insert winky face here), and redefined what "normal" means to me by carving my own path down the winding, and sometimes bumpy, road of chronic pain and illness.

Living a fulfilling life despite the ever-present burden of chronic, burning neuropathic pain in every inch of all four limbs hasn't always been Goldendoodle puppy dogs and vegan birthday cakes, but it has afforded me the opportunity to go within while living in a world so preoccupied and consumed by what is without and to discover my passions while learning important lessons about myself, others, and the world around me.

Now, I am a proud raw vegan, animal activist, writer, and mental health professional, and before falling ill, I was none of these. I was lost. I found myself as I fell down the blackened rabbit hole of chronic illness, and then I crawled my way back up toward the light of self-awareness and meaning. Dis-ease is a gift. Although, I would not wrap it with a pretty pink bow and give it to anyone I love, I also would not return it for something viewed by mainstream society as "better."

As time progresses and I am tried by difficult circumstances, I am realizing that character building is a slow and steady process if you let it be. When we delay our growth by denial, avoidance, regression, resentment, anger, jealousy, and comparing ourselves to others, we inflict upon ourselves the worst and most unnecessary pain possible that would only be temporary discomfort if we faced change and character development head on and with an eager spirit.

Each trial is an opportunity for growth, and when viewed in this manner, pain becomes a stepping stone to higher awareness. Use your pain wisely. It may be your greatest burden, but it can also become your greatest gift.

Check out Maria's blog: Going Down Swinging: A RSD/CPRS Blog. Or ask Maria a question at Formspring."

Happy Healing!

Pictures and Boundaries

Hi, healers! I have a few blog posts in the works. One is about boundaries because I get quite a few questions on that topic on my formspring page. 

In the meantime, enjoy some cute pictures. Look how big Addie is getting! She will be three years old at the end of the month.

Happy Healing!