Reduce Plastics in your Kitchen

Reduce your intake of potentially harmful chemicals.

Getting your food off its plastic dependency. 

Look around your kitchen. If you are like most of us, then you will likely have plastic in many places. In your cupboards, food storage containers, utensils and cooking implements. You  might even find plastic lining your food cans, in your butter dishes, salad and vegetable containers.
Plastic is a pervasive material in our world, used mainly with reckless abandon, without knowing how it can contribute to chemicals in our home environment and in our bodies. A variety of sources have confirmed the potential hazards of ingesting the chemicals that can leach from plastic products, BPA being one of them. Nowhere is that risks more evident then when our food comes into direct contact with plastic. But please don't stress! Informing yourself on the more harmful types of plastic and replacing plastic with practical, easy to find alternatives will keep you and your family away from any potential harm.

Inform yourself to know the plastics you use

Your first step if you choice to take it, is to understand the difference between the usual plastic types. However the safest option is to avoid the interaction of food and plastic whenever possible. This isn't always practical for everyone, therefore lets make sure you know which plastics are the more hazardous, so you can then make informed decisions.
To determine which plastic you are using, turn over the plastic container and look for the recycling code on the bottom.
The plastics that have the greatest potential harm to your health are #3 (PVC polyvinyl chloride) and #7 (PC ploycarbonate) or 'other'. 
The safer plastics for food interaction are #2 (HDPE high-density polyethylene), usual used for milk jugs and cereal box liners.; #4 (LDPE low-destiny ployethylene), usual used in plastic wrap and sandwich bags; and #5 (PP polypropylene), usual used in yoghurt and butter/margarine tubs.

PVC #3 plastic which is often used in plastic wrapping for meats and cheeses, 'cling-wrap/cling-film', cooking bottles, as well as toys, plumbing pipes and insulation, is known as the 'toxic plastic.' The most potentially hazardous elements of PVC are the plasticizers used to make the product flexible, which are phthalates and adipates. Traces of these chemicals are known to leach into foods stored in PVC. To avoid PVC, ask your grocery-store butcher to wrap cut meat into paper. When choosing cheese choose zip closing plastic rather then shrink-wrap. If you use plastic wrap is your kitchen then buy those made from #4 (LPDE) which is the safer plastic.
PC/PLA #7 plastic fits into the broad category of 'other.' PLA is a compostable plastic, but PC contains BPA (bisphenol-A) a potent endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen in the body which can increase the risk of cancer. BPA is ubiquitous in the USA. Up until recently, one of the most common uses here was in baby bottles and children's sippy cups. Last July, the FDA banned the use of BPA in children's bottles and sippy cups. However BPA is still found in food can plastic linings, where there is a high risk of it leaching into food. Organic canned food produce doesn't necessarily contain less BPA then conventional canned goods. Eden Organics is on of the few U.S brands that offer canned goods in BPA-free cans.

Avoiding All Plastics

By choosing to eliminating the most harmful plastics from your kitchen and food storage you are heading in the healthier direction. Reducing in general your chemical intake will greatly improve your health and energy levels. Recent studies support the case for avoiding plastic altogether whenever possible. These studies conclude that many types of plastics can leach chemicals that have estrogenic activity. Chemicals with estrogenic activities have similar effects to BPA, among them obesity, damage to the reproductive system and increased cancer risk. In the study published in the peer-reviewed journal 'Environmental Health Sciences' (EHP)by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, researchers found that almost every commercially available plastic product they sampled - including those marked with BOA-Free, leached chemicals having detectable estrogenic activity. 

Stock your kitchen with glass or stainless steel food containers. If you do get meats or cheeses that are wrapped in plastic then transfer them when you get home into non-plastic containers. Do not microwave any food in a plastic container, or have food in a plastic container that is heated up, as this increases the ability for the chemicals to leach out. Try to buy as fresh food as possible, avoiding cans that are lined with plastic. Don't reuse plastic drinking bottles that are for one use, i.e soda bottles, water bottles, juice bottles etc.

Be good to your body, enjoy limiting your chemical exposure and always empower yourself through information and intuition.

Blessings on your path to,
Incredible Health, Incredible Life!

Fall/Autumn Fasts and Cleanses

Colorado Fall

There are several ways and reasons to participate in a cleanse and the best time to do this is during the start of Fall/Autumn or Spring.
A seasonal cleanse is effective in eliminating the residues left from foods eaten in the winter and summer as these foods are more extreme. When fasting during the transition from summer into fall the residues from the excess sweet and cooling foods of the summer prepares us for the storage season of the winter.

In this post I will be giving you 4 cleanses/fasts to look over and decide which ones best will work for you. Trust your intuition in this process of choosing the cleanse that will be of most benefit to your physical, emotional and spiritual health. I will be explaining good fasting practices, when not to fast and reasons for fasting.

A cleanse/fast can be an uplifting experience that enhances out health, experience of life and attitude. Virtually every religion and healing tradition recommends fasting for therapeutic or spiritual advantages. Please be aware of that excessive fasting on juices can seriously impair the metabolic rate and digestive strength, cool and weaken the body and sometimes result in abnormal weight gain after the fast. Therefore please listen to what your body is telling you. To avoid these adverse reactions the type of cleanse should be matched to the individual.

Some Reasons for Fasting:

• To overcome emotional attachment to foods
• To cure physical and mental stagnancy, which can manifest as poor appetite, apathy, fatigue, mental depression and many chronic aliments like arthritis/inflammatory diseases. 
• For purification of the body in preparation for a change of diet. 
• As a seasonal cleanse
• For spiritual reasons, to strengthen one's spiritual practice, prayer and meditation. Can also be done before or during times of ritual.
• To enhance one's mental awareness, sleep and dreams.  

When Not to Fast:

• In cold weather, an extended fast can be harmful.
• During serious physical or mental degeneration, unless advised by a doctor or qualified health practitioner. 
• If one is starving or deprived of proper nutrition.
• During pregnancy or lactation. 

For Good Fasting:

• Use pure water and foods. Freshly pressed juices are preferred although unrefined, organic, bottled juices may be used. 
• Chew food well.
• The quantity of food and liquid can be somewhat determined by your intuition, which is heightened during fasting. 
• Try not to eat more than twice a day unless very hungry. 
• Get sufficient mental and physical rest and keep warm.
• Daily enemas are traditional with fasts. They are often useful for those with slow digestion, although they are not as important for those fasting on grains, vegetables or fruit as for those on tea, water and juices. 
• Complete a series of small fasts before attempting a long one
• When breaking a fast it is important not to overeat. The success of a fast depends on how well it is broken, for the want to binge can be overwhelming. 

Four Fasts:

The final factor to consider is the generally tonifying and building qualities of grains compared with eliminating nature of vegetables and fruit. Accessing whether you have an excessive or deficient imbalance is important when choosing your fast.

Signs of heat and/or excess: Feels hot, dislikes heat, drinks copious cool beverages, red complexion or robust person, strong voice. This person is wiser to use raw vegetables, fruits, or juices for fasting.

Signs of coldness and/or deficiency: chills, pallor, aversion to cold and an unusual attraction to heat or weak, thin and pale.  This person is wise to use cooked vegetables or grains, with additional supplement of chlorella.

•  Steamed Vegetable Fast:

For the person who has overeaten consistently, consuming excess sweets, nuts, beans, grains, dairy, or eggs and is a little on the cool and deficient side. 

 Consider a fast of lightly steamed vegetables of your choice. Take at most three different vegetables at a time. Drink water or herbal tea according to your thirst.
This fast can be done for as little as 3 days and no more then 14 days. Shorter fasts of one day or even half-day can be very helpful if they are done weekly.

• Whole-Grain Fast:

For the person that want to improve mental focus and who ranges from fairly balanced to slight deficient and thin or cold. 

 Rice and various whole grains may be used. Millet is recommended for it's alkaline, detoxifying nature. Wheat and other grain sprouts are also alkaline, and less cooling when steamed. Ideal breads are natural leavened sourdough and Essene style bread of sprouted grain.
Also mung bean and rice can be combined, though eaten at separate meals. Spices such as peppercorn, fennel, cumin and ginger can be added.
This is a three day fast.

• Micro-Algae Fast:

For the person with blood sugar imbalances and sugar cravings, and for those that find fasting difficult or it's their first fast. 

 Micro-algae are combined with a vegetable or fruit juice, herb tea, or other liquid fast. This fast is ideal for those that need to maintain a bust schedule while fasting. Use micro-algae mixed into liquid two or three times a day. Each time 1.5 grams of Chlorella and 250mg blue green algae. At the start of the fast half the dosage for three days unless already using micro-algae's.
This is 3-7 day fast.

• Raw Fruit, Vegetable or Liquid Fast:

For the person who eats abundant animal products and who don't have signs of coldness or deficiency. Suited to the excessive person.

Salad fast of either raw vegetables or raw fruit such as carrots, cabbage, apples etc.
a) Fruit juices, vegetable juices, and/or wheat grass drinks.
 Examples of vegetables: Carrot, beet, celery, cabbage, parsley, and other greens. Carrot is one of the safest juices to use. 
If using Beets, please limit your intake to half a beet a day, if you experience diarrhoea then cut back on your beet intake.
b) Adding water with a squeeze of lemon to help cleanse the liver once a day.
The total consumption of juices, teas and water on a liquid fast will fall between 6-8 glasses a day, though more can be taken if thirsty. Most people do well with one-half or two-thirds of total fluid being from fruit, vegetable and grass juices and the remainder from teas and water.
Fluids should be room temperature when drunk, not cold and Juices can be diluted by half with water to slow down the fast.

On the second to third day of the fast you probably will experience hunger and then it will go away, once it comes back again it's a sign that your body has fasted long enough. 


Enjoy whichever fast that you choose, allow yourself time to hear what your body is telling you and remember to not over cleanse. Wishing you all a wonderfully tranformative Fall/Autumn.

Blessings on your path.

EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique

A Simple Tool to Help Transform such Experiences as Anxiety, Depression and Anger.

 Why do we use EFT Tapping? 

 EFT is the 'on the go tool/healer' that we can access any time, by ourselves, to empower ourselves to alleviate and transform intense emotional experiences. Though the emotional experience doesn't have to be intense for us to utilise this wonderful, simple but profoundly effective tool. 

All of the EFT points that are tapped are Acupuncture points that are thousands of years old. In Chinese Medicine we believe that there isn't any separation between mind, body and spirit. These three aspects connect, relate and influence each other. Therefore one way to help effect physical healing and transformation is by learning tools to be able to transform our emotional experience too. This is what EFT does so well. One of the important aspects of EFT is the intention that we hold in our minds as we tap these acupuncture points. In Chinese medicine it is said that 'energy (Qi) follows intention. By saying the words 'I deeply love and accept myself' is as much part of the transformational power of EFT as is the points that are tapped. By deeply loving and accepting ourselves when we are experiencing heighten emotions like anger, fear, anxiety and pain helps to lessen the intensity, not by repression, but by acceptance and this then leads to total transformation.

It doesn't cost any money to try it and it won't worsen anything you are experiencing. You have everything to gain by giving this self-transforming tool a shot. 

The Hand Point

1. KC ~ Karate Chop Point – The Karate Chop point is used for our EFT healing setup statement, we acknowledge our problem and tell our subconscious mind that we are accepting of it and we are working on transforming it.

While tapping this point, we say something like ” although I know I feel..., (name the problem) I deeply love and accept myself. We repeat three times.

The karate chop point is located on the soft fleshy part on the outer side of the hand, between the base of the little finger and the wrist. It helps us to release the block we feel that holds us back and is resistant to change, by tapping this point we become unstuck and able to move forward again.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Back Ravine' (Hou xi) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to help bring vision and clarity to the sorting and decision process. It encourages us to release blockages that are stagnating us and to empower clarity of our vision and listening to bring authenticity to our experience.

2. TH ~ Top of Head Point – This point is located at the top of the head, the crown, it is a powerful point, our crown chakra or spiritual centre, the meeting point of all our energy meridians. Stimulating this area wakes up the entire energy system in the body allowing us to make big shifts. Be gentle with this point.

Releases: That annoying inner negative voice, the self doubt. It brings Spiritual connection, our truth, insight, intuition, focus, wisdom and clarity.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Hundred Meetings' (Baihui) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to connect with our spiritual nature. It is the highest point on the body and helps us not to project blame outwards, but to trust each experience as a lesson for our highest growth and health. It releases feelings of persecution, depression, lack of faith and the inability to find a comfortable place in this world. It engenders us with enlightened perspective granted by wisdom. 

  

3.  EB ~ Eyebrow Point – This point is located at the inner corner of the eyebrow (the little dent between the bridge of the nose and the beginning of the eyebrow)

Releases: Trauma, hurt, sadness, (past and present) frustration, impatience, restlessness and fear. Bringing us Peace and emotional healing.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Beginning Illumination' (Shi Guang) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to still the waters of Anxiety. It empowers the gathering of resources in a way that quiets anxiety. This can also help to stem fear and empower the virtue of reserve, along with helped to expand our awareness. 

 

4. SE ~ Side of Eye Point – Located on the outside edge of the eye.

Releases: Rage, anger, resentment, fear of change and confused thinking. Bringing us Clarity and compassion. 

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Before the Pass' (Qian Guan) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to empower clarity of vision. It helps to create alignment between our inner plan and our life events as mediated by accurate vision. It also helps to transform belligerence into benevolence, removing blocks, releases frustration, brings us back to an internal reference point so we can empower creative growth of our plans into the world. 

5. UE ~ Under Eye Point – Located on the bone underneath the eye, directly under the pupil.

Releases: Fear, anxiety, feelings of emptiness, worry, nervousness and disappointment. Bringing us Contentment, calmness, and a feeling of being safe.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Four Whites' (Si bai) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to empower the processing of undigested emotional material and releases any form of emotional constraint. By helping to process the undigested the point enables us to feel our centre again, to feel whole and safe. 

6.  UN ~ Under Nose Point – Located under the nose, between the top lip and the nose.

Releases: Feelings of being powerless, shame, feelings of guilt and grief, fear of ridicule and fear of failure . Bringing us Self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and compassion for the our self and others.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Man's Middle' (Ren Zhong) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to connect ourselves with our purpose in life and the nourishment that we require to fulfil it. The point calms the mind, calms anxiety and helps us reconnect with ourselves/our centre. 

 

7. CH ~ Chin Point – Located just under the bottom lip, in the depression between the lower lip and the chin.

Releases: Feelings of confusion, uncertainty and shame. Bringing us Clarity, certainty, confidence, and self-acceptance.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Receiving Fluid' (Chengjiang) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to address issues of separation, especially from our mother and appropriate boundaries regarding nourishment in life.

8. CB ~ Collar Bone Point – Just below the inner edge of the collarbone. In the depression on the lower border of the collar bone.

Releases:  Feelings of being stuck, indecision, worry, and stress. Bringing us ease in moving forward, confidence, and clarity. Tapping on this point balances our adrenal gland function, bringing us hormonal balance!

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Storehouse' (Shufu) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to encourage reception of inspiration to conceive our true selves. The habitual reaction to fear can lead us to exhaustion from over expending our reserves. Storehouse provides a reserve to help quiet the spirit. In this way we may encourage ourselves to just breathe rather than react to anxiety and fear. 

 

9. UA ~ Under Arm Point – About six inches directly below the arm pit (on the bra strap for the women)

Releases: Guilt, worry, obsessing, hopelessness, insecurity, and low self esteem. Bringing us Clarity, confidence, relaxation, and compassion for self and others.

In Chinese Medicine this point is known as 'Great Enveloping' (Dabao) and is used in Acupuncture and Acupressure to enfold the person in motherly embrace. It empowers us to experience life as though we are surrounded by unconditional nourishment. It also helps us to embrace life, encouraging us to truly nourish destiny.

  

Tapping Away Trauma: 'Emotional Freedom' Techniques an article from Huffington by Serina Deen, M.D., MPH

Blessings on Your Path. 

Why you might be failing in creating physical, emotional and mental health.

A Solution to your Physical and Emotional Health.

Meditation made easy! 

Many people experience ongoing physical, emotional and relationship difficulties.
They do everything they can think of to end these problems and often nothing they do works consistently.

Why is this?

You probably know that many behaviours, emotional reactions and physical dis-ease are created outside of your awareness, unconsciously.

What, then, is the most potent, most effective way to get rid of these unconscious influences that are limiting your ability at the moment to experience greater health in all areas of your life?

Meditation. Yes, meditation!
Meditation is one of the most powerful ways to create balance in our physical and emotional lives, along with helping to create joy and happiness in our relationships.
Meditation causes you to become aware of how you sabotage yourself (plus, it gives you many additional—and huge—mental, emotional, and physical benefits). Thousands of studies at universities and research centres show that meditation improves mental and emotional health, increases will power, dramatically lowers stress, and improves physical health.

But here is the problem that some of us, maybe even most of us come up against. Meditation can be hard to learn, it often takes a long time to master and it sometimes can take a year of more before you begin getting the benefits! I also get asked a lot in my practise what is the right way to meditate, how can I learn by myself as I don't have the time to go to classes, or there aren't any classes at a good time for me? There isn't a right way to meditate, though some ways different people connect with more so then others. I also completely understand experiencing a lack of time to make for these type of practises.
Therefore most people quit long before that point.

But now, thanks to a guy called Bill Harris (and, modern technology), you can get all the benefits of meditation quickly and easily.

Twenty-three years ago, Bill’s company, Centerpointe Research Institute, created a proprietary audio technology called Holosync® which instantly (and effortlessly) puts you into states of deep meditation . . . 

. . . literally at the push of a button.

Here are some wonderful facts about Holosync:

• You’ll meditate like a 30-year veteran the first time you use Holosync—and  immediately begin getting all the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of deep meditation.
•  Many success teachers and experts recommend Holosync--including Jack Canfield (co-author of the New York Times Best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul books), legendary success teacher Bob Proctor, and many others. Along with Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks who's relationship techniques and guidance I personal use myself in my marriage especially.
• Zen monks and at least two Zen masters use it.
•  Over the last 23 years nearly one million people (in all but 3 countries in the world!) have used Holosync to accelerate the meditation process and become happier, healthier, and more successful. (You should join them.)
• The folks at Centerpointe—based on more than two decades of research and feedback—estimate that Holosync gives you the benefits of meditation in about 1/8th the time of traditional mediation.
• And, it’s effortless, it feels REALLY good, and you’ll look forward to doing it.
• And, finally, Holosync isn’t expensive, and the folks at Centerpointe provide generous and expert support to make sure you get all the benefits. 

There’s no risk to try Holosync. With a full 365 day money-back guarantee, you can try Holosync for an entire year, and see for yourself how amazing it is—with no risk.  In fact, trying Holosync is a total “no-brainer.”

If you’d like to use meditation to get rid of unconscious sabotage so you can reach your physical, emotional and relationship goals (or any other goals)—but want a much faster and easier way to do so…or, just want to create the mental peace and clarity of mind that Holosync meditation will bring you, you'll love Holosync.

Why not get started TODAY!

With love and Blessings on your path, 

Alexandra Lawrence,

Between Heaven and Earth Integrated Healthcare Team. 

How to get out of co-dependance and into co-creation through transformation

 

The Hendricks Institute, Resources for Conscious Living and Loving

The Relationship Solution, A 6 weeks Course to Conscious Loving

Even though this a Blog about Acupuncture and Health, I believe that we can't have a balanced healthy physical body without also having emotional balance as well. My husband and I have been married nearly 5 years and have read numerous relationship books. He is also a relationship counselor. During our several years of reading and working on our ability to have a co-creating and loving relationship this is the book that we keep on coming back to time and time again. The techniques that Gay and Kathlyn provide in this master piece are simple, elegant and profound.

One of the main points in this book is called the 'Upper Limit'. It is something that most of us, maybe even all of us created. We normally created this at a young age. The 'Upper Limit' refers to our unconscious belief that we can only experience a certain level of happiness. When we start reaching said limit there are behaviours that we put into action to sabotage the happiness we feel and are experiencing. Therefore what happens our happiness experience decreases and we come back down into our sub-conscious comfort zone. The place that we believe we deserve to be. Now probably right now your conscious mind is saying that's stupid, or that can't be true, I wouldn't do that etc. Try for a minute to remember the last time you and your loved one had a argument or you just felt frustrated and maybe ignored the reason, then repressed it to only come up again at another time. After you come up with that experience take a look at whether it came on the heels of a period of intimacy, a success, an enjoyable evening, after you felt seen or heard and so on and so on. Normally if we are truthful with ourselves what we found out is yes there might just be a correlation. 

This book goes into detail about our Upper Limit, how to recognise it, what to do about it and how to use it as a sign that we just might need a little alone time. It also goes into co-dependance and how to transform that into co-creation and co-commitment. How to stop blaming to allow both partners to take 100% responsibility for their experience. How to stop arguing nearly immediately and how to end criticism.

It's a comprehensive multi-part learning experience that reveals everything you need to know to find, create, and maintain a truly joyful relationship.

I hope for yourself and your loved ones that you consider investing the time and energy into the techniques that they teach. That you create inter-dependance, intimacy and true happiness in your life. All it takes is a few minutes everyday of your time and attention. 

Blessings on your journey.