Depression and Insomnia and how I beat it overnight

Depression and Insomnia and how I beat it overnight
I am writing this article as I believe in what has happened
to my partner John in the last 18 months can be of great
benefit for those that suffer with depression and insomnia.

Fortunately I am unable to comment on the feelings of the
above as it has never struck me, but I have witnessed
John's bouts and also that of a close girlfriend. It
seemed at times that my hands were tied.

All I could offer was my support. John suffered for 20
years with insomnia and chronic depression. I know that he
sleeps very well at night. He has not had a bout of severe
depression in all this time.

So here it is and if helps but one person then we are
happy. If it helps more then that's even better. All this
was done without any drugs whatsoever.

"In the last 18 months, I have cured a chronic insomnia
problem by doing the following:

1. Alkalizing - my urine pH was always about 5.5. It needs
to be above 6.5, otherwise disease can set in. Minerals and
vitamins are not readily absorbed in an acidic body. It has
also been stated that heavy metals are not easily detuned
in an acid environment. I drank alkalized water, took
alkalizing supplements, and only ate alkalized food (mostly
raw vegetables).

2. Hydrating - with good ionized/alkalized water. The same
night I installed a water alkalizer I slept all night
without drugs. Normally I would need to take drugs to get
4-6 hours sleep. Ionized water is also restructured so that
it has greater hydrating capacity, and it also has a strong
negative "oxygen reduction potential" (ORP). This is a
measure of the water's antioxidant potential.

3. Detoxifying - I started taking a product called zeolite
about 6 weeks prior to starting the alkalized water. It
also had the effect of improving my pH. Zeolite has a
fantastic history for improving health, even though it is
not registered as an approved product (because it can't be
patented). Coriander (a herb) is also a great detoxifier.

Just by doing the above the following happened, either
immediately or over a 3-month period:

- sleep became so nice
- depression went away
- Candida disappeared (a constant cough)
- a 20-year large wart disappeared
- toe nail fungus grew out
- arthritis in knees improved substantially

In summary I was much healthier."

John and I continue to detox on a regular basis. Now that
Xmas has come and gone we have set ourselves a goal to go
through another detox regime.

The benefits are definitely having a sharper mind and more
energy and in this way ready to face the New Year with a
vengeance. You see we are soon to go to Ecuador for four
weeks where we will be attending several courses before
deciding if we are to pack up and live for part of the year
in a beautiful environment such as Ecuador.

Soon I shall start my site and as we travel write a daily
journal.

Happy reading.

----------------------------------------------------
Dixie Davey is dedicated to helping others live a healthy
lifestyle without medication. Take a look at
http://alkalize-and-detoxify.com to download your course of
free alkaline receipes and more. Also check out
http://www.DixieDavey.com

Supplements For Your Full Body Detox

Supplements For Your Full Body Detox
Supplements are an important part of any body detox
program. When beginning your natural body detox, you may
not feel very well due to the toxins leaving your body. A
good balance of supplements and nutrients will help you get
over the initial uneasy feeling and support your natural
body detox. So what supplements and nutrients should you
look into?

1. Multivitamin: Even if you are not on a body detox
program, a good multivitamin is important to maintaining
health. Be sure your multivitamin included the following:
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin D
* Vitamin E
* B1 (Thiamine)
* B2 (Riboflavin)
* B3 (Niacin)
* B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
* B6
* Folic Acid
* B12
* Biotin
* Calcium
* Magnesium
* Phosphorus
* Zinc
* Copper
* Selenium
* Manganese
* Iron
* Chromium
* Vitamin C

2. Milk Thistle and Silymarin: This antioxidant is
important and supports the liver by stimulating protein
synthesis. It has a group of three potent
flavanoids-silybin, silydianin and silychristin-which
collectively are called Silmarin. A great addition to your
whole body detox.

3. Probiotic: Comes in capsule form. Take a high-strength,
multistrain version.

4. Vegetable Superfoods: In addition to the vegetables you
should be eating as part of your body detox program, you
should also include spirulina and chlorella in your full
body detox. Look for them in capsule form.

These superfoods will help stabilize your blood sugar
levels throughout the day. They also contain GLA, an
omega-3 fatty acid.

The other great thing about chlorella and spirulina is that
they contain tons of protein. They actually have 12 times
the protein of beef, and contain all the B vitamins,
including B12, Vitamin C, E and major minerals. They are
definitely an awesome way to improve your health without a
natural body detox.

5. Essential Fatty Acids: With all the hype surrounding
omega-3s, many people forget about the omega-6 and the
lesser known omega-9 fatty acids. The best way to get the
right balance of all three is to take a combination of
black currant, flaxseed, perilla, and fish oil.

6. Oil-Soluble Vitamins:
* Vitamin A: Promotes good skin, vision, immunity, healthy
skin and hair. Also aids in cancer prevention.
* Vitamin K: Unlike other vitamins, this is not stored in
your body so you don't need to take regularly. It is a
powerful antioxidant and essential to blood clotting.
* Vitamin E: Works with other vitamins to protect your body
against cancer and other diseases. It supports immune
system functions and helps repair damaged tissues.
* Vitamin D: This vitamin is necessary for the absorption
of calcium and phosphorus. It also helps with the immune
system and heart.

7. Water-Soluble Vitamins:
* B-Complex Vitamins: These include B1, B2, B3, B5, B6,
B12, folic acid and biotin. These vitamins play a part in
energy production during the metabolism of carbohydrates,
proteins and fats. Collectively these vitamins keep your
immune, skeletal and nervous system healthy.
* Vitamin C: An important antioxidant that protects us from
the cancer causes we encounter everyday. It helps heal
wounds and protect against colds and other minor sicknesses.

----------------------------------------------------
John Khu is a health enthusiast and author of a new eBook
titled "Body Detox Tips". He is devoted to educate others
on the benefit of body detoxification. He is also the
owner of the website called http://www.bodydetoxtips.com
which provides complete and up-to-date information.

Detox with Zeolite

Detox with Zeolite
My partner in business and life recently wrote this in his
blog and I felt it should be read by everyone who is
interested.

"In my blog for curing my insomnia and depression, I
mentioned detoxification as being one of the three
important steps I took. I had been exposed to a lot of
chemicals in my life. I also assumed that toxins from food
and drink would have accumulated in my body. Over a number
of years, I had tried various detoxification methods:

* 1991 - I started with a 10-day water fast and
experimented with bowel cleansing using enemas and colonics
after reading a book by Daniel Reid.

* 1997 - After getting on the internet I enrolled in an
on-line supervised 75-day juice fast, with twice-daily
enemas. Did that experience energize me? Absolutely. I even
took up veteran athletics for a short while at the age of 46

* 2000 - I started attending health retreats which included
fasts, colonics and raw food diets (nearly 30 health
retreat experiences for 1-4 weeks over 6 years)

* 2006 - started to take liquid zeolite to detox heavy
metals and other pollutants

* 2007 - Started to take powdered zeolite, sometimes in
combination with liquid zeolite and sometimes in
combination with greens (like barley green, wheat grass,
etc).

Occasionally I also eat regular volumes of fresh coriander,
which is also known as a good detoxifier for heavy metals.

Of the above methods, the zeolite (liquid and powder)
seemed to make the greatest consistent and most immediate
difference; although the previous exercises with fasting
and bowel cleansing would obviously have helped. The change
to my body chemistry from the zeolite was almost immediate.
The zeolite tends to immediately balance my pH and improve
my immunity.

Amazingly, the zeolite/water combination led to a cure to
my chronic insomnia. I slept soundly all night on the same
day that I installed the water machine, and then slept in
each day for the following two weeks - all without any
drugs. The most logical explanation I can provide for the
rapid improvement is that the initial detoxification and
improvement in my pH from the zeolite allowed the ionized
water to hydrate and work more effectively.

Over the following three months, apart from the dramatic
improvement in my insomnia and depression, the following
also occurred:

* Candida symptoms disappeared (a bad non-flu cough)

* toe nail fungus grew out

* a large 20-year wart disappeared

* arthritic and muscular pains subsided

Following on from this boost, I decided to have my mercury
amalgams replaced with porcelain fillings, and also have a
root canal removed. From my observations of other people
who had amalgam removals, it is normal to have negative
health reactions for this dental procedure.

But this did not happen with me. I can only assume that my
positive reaction was because of the water and zeolite
combination.

Happy reading.

----------------------------------------------------
Dixie Davey is dedicated to helping others live a healthy
lifestyle without medication. Take a look at
http://alkalize-and-detoxify.com to download your course of
free alkaline receipes and more. Also pick up your copy of
the Zeolite eBook at

http://stores.ebay.com.au/PH-AUSTRALIA-2007

Learning About Easy Weight Loss for Teens

Learning About Easy Weight Loss for Teens
Learning about easy weight loss for teens is crucial when
you have an overweight teenager. Not only does being
overweight as a teenager have long-term emotional
consequences, but more and more studies are determining
that our future cardiac health depends a lot on what we do
to our bodies as adolescents. Easy weight loss for teens
involves understanding the peer pressure your overweight
teen may be facing and learning about the basic principles
of weight loss.

Being overweight as a teen can be a brutal experience.
Teasing and peer pressure is at a peak during these years
as our children move from childhood to adulthood. It can
be difficult to form positive attitudes that will benefit
your child as an adult when he or she is constantly
ridiculed for being overweight. The negative comments they
receive will either be held inward or projected outward at
society or people in general. Teens that are overweight
may develop a poor self-image and resort to fad diets and
starvation to attempt to achieve the body that so many
celebrities have set as the "ideal" body. Anorexic models
and extremely thin starlets are splashed all over the
magazines many teens read. The diets that these
dangerously thin celebrities follow are available on the
internet as easy weight loss for teens.

It's imperative that you help your teen understand what
easy weight loss for teens is really about. Just as with
many subjects such as sex and drugs, if they don't hear it
from you, they may follow misinformation from their peers
or the media.

Help your teen understand the basics about proper
nutrition. Easy weight loss for teens does not involve fad
diets or starvation. You might need to educate yourself
first on this subject. There's a lot of misinformation out
there regarding weight loss and proper nutrition. No
carb's, lo carb's, maple syrup, high protein... it's an
unending list, really.

Easy weight loss for teens can be found within a simple
equation. Weight maintenance dictates that calories
consumed must be equivalent to caloric output. Therefore,
if weight loss is desired, the equation must be shifted to
have a caloric deficit. This can be achieved by lowering
the amount of calories consumed, increasing caloric output
via exercise or best of all, doing both.

Your teen needs to understand that easy weight loss for
teens doesn't mean fast. A healthy goal for weight loss is
around one to two pounds per week. Drastically lowering
calories will achieve quicker weight loss, but the
trade-off is that metabolism is lowered, thus making it
more difficult to lose weight in the future.

To begin easy weight loss for teens, use a calorie
calculator to determine the appropriate amount of calories
for your teen based on height, weight, age, sex and
activity level. Calorie calculators can be found free of
charge on the internet. From there, set up a plan that
will create a calorie deficit of 500 to 1000 calories per
day to achieve either a one pound or two pound per week
weight loss goal. It's imperative that your teen achieves
this deficit through diet and exercise.

For calorie information, read food labels. Your teenager
needs to read these labels and learn how to properly
portion food. We live in a super-sized country. Seeing
what a real portion looks like can be surprising at first.
Easy weight loss for teens, however, cannot be achieved
unless they understand portions and learn approximate
caloric values of different foods.

Consult the food guide pyramid available at
www.eatright.org for information on what types of foods
your teenager should be eating. The misguided notion that
carbohydrates are bad has created a lot of confusion. As
long as the majority of carbohydrate consumption is whole
grains, fruits and vegetables as opposed to simple
carbohydrates like sweets and white breads and pastas,
carb's are okay and should be a regular part of your
teenager's diet. Choose lean meats over high fat meats and
try to incorporate fish into your easy weight loss for
teens plan. Dairy is also an important food group. Just
remember to choose low-fat or fat free dairy products.

Above all, in learning about easy weight loss for teens
don't forget to be a positive and encouraging part of your
teen's weight loss. Try not to pressure them. They're
feeling enough pressure at school and from themselves. On
a bad day, an encouraging smile and a big hug may be all
they really need.

----------------------------------------------------
From a sickly little girl to a healthy chef to the stars,
Darlene Nicholson transformed herself into The "Kick in the
Butt" Healthy Lifestyle Expert and creator of the popular
DVD "The Healthy Grocery Store Tour". Visit her website
http://www.lifechanginghealthysoutions.com or grab a copy
of her free ebook "4 Steps to Permanent Weight
Loss"...guaranteed to open your eyes to how easy weight
loss can be with the right plan of attack.
http://free-weightloss-book.com/

Healthy Eating: One Food You MUST Eliminate in 2008

Healthy Eating: One Food You MUST Eliminate in 2008
Most people already know too much sugar in your diet is bad
for you. But please read on. The purpose of this article is
to help you understand why it is so important to reduce or
eliminate sugar, starting today. Even honey is a simple
sugar. Here is an interesting fact about honey: The honey
bear is the only animal found in nature with a problem with
tooth decay! Below I hope to present meaningful evidence
that will prompt you to make it your TOP health priority
for 2008. Here is a small word of caution: I am not a
medical practitioner or a health expert. The evidence I
have gathered and will present below has been culled from
various sources. My interest in this topic has been
stimulated by my success with drastically reducing sugar in
my own diet and feeling much better. Only later did I learn
about information on the long-term effects of sugar on the
human body and its contribution to diseases. That is when
this topic became so important for me, that I had to talk
to you about it. I hope you will agree with this. IF
eliminating something from your diet helps you feel better
AND prevents disease, it is a reasonable thing to do for
you and your family. Here are some of the highlights of my
research about sugar and its effect on your body: What
makes sugar so bad? The biggest problem with sugar is that
it gets absorbed very fast. Sugar rushes through the
stomach wall without being digested, stimulating excess
secretion of insulin by the pancreas and causing metabolic
imbalances.

In the last 20 years we have increased our sugar
consumption in the U.S. 26 pounds to 135 pounds of sugar
per year per person. Sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn
sugar) and high fructose corn-syrup are processed into our
foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut
butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce and microwave meals(1).

An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body's
blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin. The
body uses insulin to keep blood-sugar at a constant and
safe level. Too much insulin also promotes the storage of
fat, so that when you eat sweets high in sugar you are
opening the gates for 1. rapid weight gain and 2. elevated
triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to
cardiovascular disease.

Sugar contains no nutrients. In fact, excessive sugar
intake can deplete your body of several vitamins and
minerals. Dr. Robert McCracken, a UCLA anthropologist,
faults refined sugar for some forms of diabetes, heart
disease, stroke, schizophrenia, alcoholism, and even
possibly some kinds of cancer(2). He noted that members of
certain primitive tribes who consume more saturated fats
than Americans, have normal blood cholesterol levels and
suffer from fewer diseases than Americans. His research
showed that the main difference is that they never touch
refined sugar. Sugar can cause or promote fungal
infections, tooth decay, skin rashes, mucus production, and
intestinal candidiasis. It encourages the growth of a
number of bacteria and fungi. Sugar provides a great growth
medium for these microorganisms(3). Here is how a high
intake of sugar adversely affects the immune system. Sugar
impairs the ability of white blood cells to sweep up and
kill bacteria. It also robs the body of key nutrients such
as zinc that is vital for the immune function(3). Sugar
affects everyone. But it can have serious consequences for
children. Many children who have a high intake of sugar
suffer from recurrent infections, asthma, and eczema(3).
Ironically, the insulin secreted to deal with refined sugar
causes your blood sugar level to fall. This upsets the
biochemical balance in the brain that is responsible for
the production of fully 25 percent of the adult body's
metabolic activity. The result: your brain begins to
malfunction(3). Speaking for myself, (although I have not
provided evidence of this here) I know that sugar can be
addicting. If you decide to avoid sugar today and in the
future, it is not necessarily going to be easy to break
this addiction. What to substitute for sugar is another
discussion. Based on the evidence above, I urge you to
consider avoiding sugar for you and your family. You will
feel better. You will keep your immune system more robust.
This is something you can do. This is action you must take
in 2008. References: 1. Mr. Marc Leduc, healingdaily.com 2.
Paul Bragg and Virginia Bragg, "Healthy Eating Without
Confusion," Santa Barbara, Calif.: Health Science, 1967, p.
12. 3. Holisticonline.com, "Diet Therapy For Immune System"

----------------------------------------------------
Randall Berry helps serious entrepreneurs accelerate their
wealth and health with a home-based business. An income
potential of $250k during the first year is attainable and
realistic using an internet-based marketing system that
sorts, calls and helps close your sales. Please visit his
website at http://YourLastBusinessEver.com?t=am2

Trends in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Menopause

Trends in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Menopause
Each month there are more articles in health and consumer
magazines talking about the fact that women in menopause
are now taking bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
(BHRT). Exactly what are bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are molecules that are the same as
the endogenous hormones made in a person's body. They are
not exactly the same, but the molecules are the same, and
they are derived in a lab from plants. These bio-identical
hormones are often referred to as natural. BHRT differs
from conventional hormone replacement therapy, which by
definition uses animal or synthetic hormones and whose
structures differ from the hormones produced in a human
body.

Women can take bioidentical hormones in pill form, as drops
under the tongue, or they may use a topical cream. The
various approaches to the dosing and blood levels are all
clumped together as "natural," but thanks to one researcher
and author, the following question was rasied.

How can bioidentical hormones really be natural if they do
not mimic a rhythm that your body can recognize as natural
in you?

T.S. Wiley, who teaches accredited seminars on the natural
history of endocrinology, was seeking natural hormones with
natural replacement - real HRT. She believes that gels,
pills and drops do not pulse in our bodies, like endogenous
hormones pulse. A healthy young woman's endogenous hormones
go way up and way down low and trigger different genes;
genes that grow cells, stop cells from growing, and tell
cells to die.

So she looked closely at the various hormone states women
have in life; 1) young and cycling 2) pregnant, 3)
breastfeeding or 4) declining hormones. Doesn't it make
sense that number 1 -- young and cycling - seems to
replicate that state of hormonal health the best? Why?
Because the other two templates are too hard to recreate
physically and experimentally.

What this means is that women cycle up to a peak of
estrogen and then the body lets it fall and then brings it
down again for a second smaller peak. Progesterone peaks on
day 21. Healthy women have a period that lasts for five
days with a heavier flow on day two and three.

There is rhythm to the way hormones work, and there is a
beat like music. Pills, gels, drops and static dosing do
not honor the music. When women have enough hormones they
feel good, and some even feel better than they did during
their entire lives.

Tens of thousands of women have been experiencing great
results from this rhythmically dosed bioidentical hormone
replacement therapy, and have happily given their personal
accounts of the menopause experiences and testimonials on
the Wiley Protocol website.

----------------------------------------------------
Kristin Gabriel is the marketing communications director
for T.S. Wiley, a medical writer and researcher in
chronobiology, environmental endocrinology and circadian
rhythmicity. Wiley is the author of "Sex, Lies &
Menopause," and the also the developer of The Wiley
Protocol (http://www.thewileyprotocol.com ) bioidentical
hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

What You Need to Know About Cavities

What You Need to Know About Cavities
One of the most common universal health problems are
cavities. A cavity is decay in the tooth that can develop
into a visible hole in the tooth.

When tooth decay first begins there may not be any obvious
symptoms. As the decay becomes more severe it may manifest
itself in the following symptoms. The most obvious sign of
a cavity is a visible hole in your tooth. Other common
symptoms include: tooth pain, pain when biting down and
sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold items. In
some cases, pus around the tooth can also be a symptom of
severe decay.

Cavities are caused by bacteria. Your mouth is a natural
reservoir of bacteria. When some of the bacteria interact
with foods that contains sugars and starches, the bacteria
may convert into acids. This acid and bacteria can form a
fuzzy like substance known as plaque which forms on the
teeth, particularly by the gum lines.

The acids in the plaque strike at the minerals in the
enamel, the tooth's hard outer surface. This can cause the
development of tiny holes in the enamel. Once the acid has
made its way through the enamel it reaches the next layer
of the tooth, called the dentin. Since the dentin is less
resistant to acid, tooth decay often speeds up at this
stage. As the tooth decay advances, it may move into the
pulp of the tooth, where the tooth's blood vessels and
nerves are located. This is what can cause the tooth pains
and sensitivities which are common symptoms of cavities.
Cavities most frequently occur in the back teeth, the
molars and premolars this is because these teeth have a lot
of grooves where food particles can get trapped in, as well
as the fact that the back teeth are harder to keep clean
than the front teeth.

There are many risk factors for developing cavities; some
of the most common include not brushing after eating and
drinking and eating food and drinks that contain
fermentable carbohydrates, such as milk, table sugar, soda,
breads, chips, cookies and even breathe mints.

There are also some risk factors which may appear less
obvious. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia,
for example, can also lead to tooth decay when stomach
acids from vomiting, enter the mouth. Acid from heartburn
and acid reflex disease can also cause stomach acids to
wash over mouth eventually these acids erode at the enamel
causing tooth decay.

Although cavities are very common, particularly among
children, this does not mean that they are not a serious
problem. In some cases, untreated tooth decay may lead to
serious infections that may in some extreme cases, may even
be life threatening.

There is a number of treatment options that your dentist
may chose, depending on the severity of the situation. In
the beginning of the development as a cavity, fluoride
treatment may be used to help the teeth repair themselves.
If the decay becomes more severe, your dentist may use
fillings and crowns to repair the damage. In cases where
the decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may
be needed.

There are ways to prevent cavities. The most obvious is to
practice good and constant oral hygiene, such as brushing
after eating and drinking, rinsing your mouth and eating
food that are better for your teeth, such as cheese, fresh
fruits and vegetables and sugar free gum. Regular visits to
your dentists are vital in order to help clean the teeth
and detect early problems before they manifest into
something more serious.

----------------------------------------------------
For more information, you may visit
http://www.chicago-dental.com .

Physical and Emotional Replenishment in Winter

Physical and Emotional Replenishment in Winter
Winter is a time of moving deep inward. It is a time of
conservation, rest, storage and quiet replenishment. When
winter comes upon us there is a darkening of skies and a
blanketing of growth. The cold drives us to huddle in our
den and seek our warmth from within. We move toward greater
receptive and introspective energy and slow our outward
expansion.

Winter is the time of rest. You may find that you need more
sleep and require more down time and actual rest. In
winter, you may need an earlier bedtime and a later
wakening time. Because of this pull toward rest, you may
also be drawn to mediate, pray, dream or contemplate more
deeply to restore your spiritual energy.

Autumn energy drives us downward to our roots where we
hibernate through the stormy, housebound times of winter.
The darkness of winter pulls us inward calling us to be
more receptive to our own needs and the counsel held deep
within us.

Seemingly contradictory, the Winter Solstice - the
beginning of winter - is actually the harbinger of light.
Devoid of outward growth in the dead of winter, every day
from the solstice forward gets longer.

As we draw deeper into ourselves and mimic this
contradictory aspect of winter, we too are in the process
of storing, building and generating our own light. The
light must first collect internally before it is strong
enough to sustain our outward growth and expansion.

To facilitate growth in the newness of spring, winter is
the time in which you need to take special care of yourself
through nutrition, warmth, and rest.

Winter Correspondences:

Water is the element that corresponds to winter. Water
governs the metabolism and controls the bladder. Water is
the essential fluid of life through which all things must
pass. Water makes up the majority of the human body. Water
is the receptive element, the element of the emotions and
winter can be a time of deep emotional experiences.

The kidneys and the bladder are the two body organs that
deal with the body's water and are associated with winter.

The kidneys "open to the ears" and the ears are the sense
organs associated with winter wellness, as is the sense of
hearing and the ability to listen.

The kidneys are seen as being the storage place for our
life force. They are the seat of the cycle of
transformation and they generate our will and ambition. The
kidneys are related to the adrenals, which generate energy,
warmth, and sexual and reproductive expression in the body.

The kidney/adrenal connection is the foundation of the
body's energy expression - both outward reaching and inward
gathering. A healthy, vital kidney/adrenal connection
allows for the proper balancing of opposites: calm yet
energetic, strong yet nurturing, active yet restful.
Disruption in the kidney energy in the body may show up in
a number of ways including:

Problems with the bones

Problems with hearing and the ears including ear infections

Problems with the head and the hair including hair loss

Problems with sexuality and libido, reproductive problems
and urinary problems

Slow or poor growth of the mind or body

Accelerated aging

Excessive fear or insecurity

A loss of the "sparkle" in the eyes

Fear is the emotion of winter. Like the winter, fear can be
deeply rooted internally. When there is poor or weak
kidney/adrenal energy, excessive fear, phobias and general
anxiety are likely. Restoration and rejuvenation of the
kidney/adrenal energy resolves this fear and opens up the
pathway to joy and loving expression. Often deep fears and
insecurities will not give way to insight and understanding
until the kidney/adrenal pathway is restored and
strengthened.

The climate is cold and the direction is north - the place
of wisdom, introspection, intuition, and ancestral
guidance. Groaning is the sound of winter and the color of
winter is blue and black.

The kidneys govern the storage of the life force in the
bones and the bone marrow. "I felt it in my bones" is an
indication of a deep and intense intuitive knowledge.
Winter is a good time for undergoing restorative bodywork.

The sexual organs and sexuality are also water/winter
elements. Either too much sexual activity or too little
sexual activity may be related to the health and
functioning of the kidney/adrenal complex. Traditionally
the predominate energy flow through the bladder occurs
between 3-5 PM and through the kidneys between 5-7 PM.
During this time, relaxation and rest may be required to
stay emotionally centered and receptive. If you have
difficulty getting through this time of day you may need to
regenerate your kidney/adrenal pathway by including in your
diet nourishing winter foods.

----------------------------------------------------
Mary Ann Copson is the founder of the Evenstar Mood &
Energy Wellness Center for Women. With Master's Degrees in
Human Development and Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann
is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified Holistic
Health Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; and
a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach. Reconnect to your
physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual
natural rhythms at
http://evenstaronline.com

Middle Aged Metabolism and Weight Control

Middle Aged Metabolism and Weight Control
As I was lying on the ground the other day, having slipped
on the ice while walking our beloved pet, I was wondering
yet again about this whole "new middle age" idea. I was
lying there thinking "if I was in my 30's, would I really
be thinking about calling my husband and asking him to pick
me up, because my back hurt? Or would I simply get my 30+
year old body up and keep walking?"

What I finally did was pick up my 50+ year old body and
kept walking, but it was at a much slower pace.

This whole idea of my 50's being more like being in my 30's
intrigues me. In a number of ways, many of us 50-ish folks
are healthier that than our parents were at our age. Our
access to health care, for many of us, is much better, so
medically we can take better care of ourselves. The
concept of "personal trainer" was unheard of twenty-five
years ago, as was the idea of belonging to a gym. Making
time for a daily walk wasn't even on the agenda for many
people.

We are lucky, though, because so many of us are able to
include these benefits into our lives, allowing us to be a
much healthier generation.

However, some things haven't changed. As we age, our
metabolism still slows down, which is why we tend to gain
weight as we age. Metabolism refers to the rate at which
the body burns calories. There are many factors affecting
what is called our "metabolic rate," including height (tall
people burn more calories than short folks), fasting
(that's why skipping meals is not a good way to lose
weight-your metabolism slows down) and temperature. In
colder temperatures, our bodies need to burn more calories
to stay warm. I suppose one way to lose weight would be to
run around naked in the cold. However, I'm not sure how
long this "diet" would last before your neighbors call the
police.

The point is that we cannot control many of the factors
affecting our metabolic rate, including age (young, middle
or old). 

The light at the end of the tunnel,
though, is activity. When you are active, you're body can
build muscle. Muscle is referred to as a more
metabolically active tissue because it takes more calories
to maintain muscle than to maintain fat. Fat is a lazy
tissue, and can get along without any help on our part. But
muscle? There's a different story. Muscles use more
calories to do their job, so the more muscles you build,
the more calories your body uses. And that's why, as we
age, we need to stay active. We need to build our muscles,
and maintain them to keep weight off. Walking is one
important activity I rely on to keep my metabolism up.
Others enjoy lifting weights. As long as you have worked
with an experienced trainer making sure you don't injure
yourself, increased muscle mass is definitely a benefit of
this activity. Activity keeps your metabolic rate high,
increasing the calories you burn, and helping prevent that
fat tissue from growing.

So whether you are lying on the ice wondering how to get
up, or stuck in a couch wondering how to get out, think
about staying active. It's the activity that will make
moving around (and preventing weight gain) a lot easier-at
any age.

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