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Grief is a Natural Part of Living
Lose a loved one, and you lose more than that person; you lose a part of yourself. Grief, the normal reaction to this and other deep losses, is the most draining of emotions, robbing you of both your energy and your brainpower day after day. There are various stages of grief - shock, denial, protest and the most devastating, depression - although they don’t occur in any particular order. Throughout these stages, it’s not uncommon to have trouble concentrating or performing other thought processes. Some natural remedies may help you deal with grief and speed your return to normal life. Aromatherapy
The essential oil marjoram, a soothing, uplifting scent, is a traditional remedy for grief. Apply a drop or two of the oil to a tissue or handkerchief and inhaling whenever you’re in need of a little comfort. Flower Remedies Grief is a natural reaction to loss, whether it’s the loss of a job, the death of a loved one or the end of a marriage. For those recovering from such a loss, many holistic practitioners recommend the emergency stress relief formula (sold under brand names such as Rescue Remedy) a blend of five essences used in times of crisis. Place four drops of the formula under the tongue as often as needed, whenever the feeling of grief overwhelms you. Homeopathy "When someone is suffering symptoms from a loss or grief (insomnia, depression, exhaustion, irritability, inability to concentrate, even a cough or heaviness in the chest), homeopathy is a helpful way to assist someone to move through the grief. I often recommend homeopathic Ignatia. Other grief remedies include Natrum Muriaticum, Sepia, Pulsatilla, Aurum or Staphysagria." says Annelle Norman, a homeopath in Denver, Colorado. Relaxation and Meditation Progressive relaxation may elevate your mood and give your immune system a vital boost while you are coping with grief. Studies have shown that people who are grieving are more susceptible to disease. The immunity boost over such a short period and the corresponding reduction in stress show that relaxation holds real advantages. Yoga You may not feel much like exercising, but even doing just three yoga poses per day can help you deal with grief. I recommend Sun Salutations because they increase blood circulation, making it easier to overcome the physical effects of grief. People who are grieving can become sedentary, but a daily yoga routine can help keep you moving. |
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Healing Series
This month I am beginning a multi-part series on health and nutrition tips for those suffering from autoimmune diseases. First, let's look at what autoimmune disease is and how one suffering from one or more autoimmune disease can start addressing their most basic health needs. What is Autoimmune Disease?
In autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks itself by mistake, and you can get sick. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis all affect the connective tissue. Multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and Gullian-Barre syndromes are neuromuscular diseases. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, and insulin-dependent/juvenile diabetes (type 1) are all related to the endocrine system. Finally, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and Celiac Disease are autoimmune diseases which attack the gastrointestinal system. Who is Affected By Autoimmune Disease? As a group, autoimmune diseases afflict millions of Americans. Most autoimmune diseases strike women more often than men, particularly affecting women of working age and during their childbearing years. What Lifestyle Factors May Help a Person with Autoimmune Disease? We all know that a strong immune system is essential to a long and healthy life. Sensible ways to keep the immune system strong include eating well, keeping stress levels in check and making sure we get plenty of exercise and rest. But sometimes that's not enough. How Can Nutrition Help Support Someone with Autoimmune Disease? If you are suffering from an autoimmune condition, consider adopting a "health supportive" diet consisting of whole foods. A health supportive diet is one that emphasizes fresh (organic when possible) vegetables and fruits; gluten-free whole grains (millet, brown rice, quinoa, cornmeal); beans and legumes (lentils, chick peas, kidney beans, etc.); nuts and seeds. Whole foods of animal origin include organic eggs, small whole cold-water fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids, small organic fowl and lean grass-fed animal meats (beef, bison, venison). You may even want to use the bones in homemade soup stocks to maximize nutrient and mineral intake. Eating whole foods insures consumption of the maximum amount of original natural nutrients, in the right proportions. The most sensible approach would be to eat only fresh, organically raised fruits and vegetables picked from the garden just prior to consumption, eaten in the whole, raw state. Of course, this is not possible for the vast majority of people. In fact, some form of supplementation is often necessary. In Part 2 of Nutrition for Autoimmune Disease, I will address helpful nutritional supplements. |
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Make Breakfast Great Again!
In a world full of muffins, scones, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, and toast, I still believe there is absolutely no reason why someone living with Celiac Disease, or any person for that matter, should have to endure tasteless, boring gluten-free breakfast foods just to remain healthy! There is a whole arsenal of amazing gluten-free recipes available through cookbooks, the Internet, and even some local grocery stores and restaurants who are willing to share their secrets for making gluten-free breakfast taste GREAT! This recipe for Gluten-Free Hot Cereal comes from my school, The Nutrition Therapy Institute. Students enjoyed this delicious hot cereal on the "Personal Relationship with Food" retreat, but it can so easily be made in your own home to be enjoyed anytime! It has been one of my breakfast staples long before I knew I had Celiac Disease. 4-Grain Gluten Free Hot Breakfast Cereal
¼ cup amaranth ¼ cup buckwheat ¼ cup quinoa ¼ cup millet 3 cups water Toppings Raw unsalted sunflower seeds (other raw unsalted nuts and seeds may also be substituted) Ground flaxseeds Dried figs, chopped (other dried or fresh seasonal fruit may also be added or substituted) Flax oil Plain whole milk yogurt (organic yogurt is always best; goat yogurt for those who have difficulty digesting cow's milk) Blackstrap molasses (NOTE: Grains should be soaked overnight for best results and quicker cooking time.) Measure and rinse grains in fine sieve or colander. Boil 3 cups water and add grains, stirring constantly. Lower heat and cover pot, stirring occasionally during cooking. Let cook until all water is absorbed (approx. 30 minutes with no soaking; approx. 15 minutes with over night soaking.) Remove cereal from heat and let cool to taste. In two bowls, divide the cooked hot cereal evenly. Top with your choice of nuts, seeds, flax oil, yogurt, molasses, and dried fruit. Eat one bowl yourself, share the other with someone you love. Enjoy! |
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Share Your Yoga
This month, I proudly present a new column inspired by and based on YOU, my readers - family, friends, clients, even strangers - who have reached out to me in some way to share your stories. I have received so many emails over the years about how your lives have been impacted by yoga. Your stories are funny, personal, unique and usually have some element of triumph - yeah! So, I believe everyone can relate in some way by reading these insightful and heartfelt testimonials. Most importantly, in relating we connect, feel and grow...and maybe even smile. Breathing New Air
"Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I did Vinyasa yoga for the first time yesterday and it absolutely kicked my butt! I was right up front, next to the instructor, and at one point she grinned at me and said, "You doing okay? Dying?" As a bead of sweat dropped off my nose I croaked, "Yes. Both." My shoulders are fried this morning and I'm feeling it in my shins, abs, and especially hip flexors. The meditation and breathing at the end were the greatest. I always feel better after a workout but I've never felt that good before. It was an awesome experience and I'm very much looking forward to next Sunday's class. I'd had warning from a lot of different people about how taxing yoga could be and was prepared for a serious workout. I'm just really surprised at how great a workout I got without flailing all around! I'm, without question, more sore from that class than if I'd done 90 minutes of typical calisthenics. The meditation and breathing at the end capped everything off. My friend who took me to the class, said that she's had to leave before the meditation session before and that the euphoria from the workout is seriously diminished without it. I smoked my last cigarette a week ago today so the class also felt like I was doing something really good for my lungs. I don't have the breathing through the poses down at all yet, so I will continue to work on that. But, I bought a mat for home practice and everything." |
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Contemplate...
Keep up the great work and let your light shine on!
 Sara Peternell
Personalized Yoga & Nutrition Services
email:
sara@sarapeternell.com
phone:
720.810.7027
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