Sandra Smith

Category: Health

  • Lucky to Be Alive

    Lucky to Be Alive

     

    There’s nothing like a near-death experience to change your perspective on life. I had one right in the middle of my swim trek in Greece. (The Milos Explorer trip.) Before going, I knew that we would spend most of the day either on the boat or swimming in the ocean. I sometimes get seasick. I’d tried an over the counter anti-nausea medicine once, years ago, and it made me so sleepy I missed most of the fun I was trying not to feel sick for. The logical answer was to take the less-drowsy formula and all would be fine. Or so I thought.  On day 3 of our swim trek, I took one with breakfast and felt fine all morning. We boated for about an hour or to a neighboring island. I had a splendid morning swim, a crossing from one island to another, which is my favorite type of open water swimming. When I swim out in the “deep end” of the ocean, I feel as though I’m in another world. I’m in a bottomless, magical blue abyss and I absolutely love it. I felt great that morning and swam in a fast, silky smooth zone.

    After we all finished the crossing, we boarded the boat and headed toward another island to enjoy lunch at a local open-air café. While on the way, I laid down on a bench to rest. About twenty minutes later we stopped and dropped anchor. I got up quickly and suddenly felt nauseous. I was annoyed because I had taken a pill that morning to avoid this very feeling, but went to the side of the boat. I then felt dizzy as well, so I quickly scampered to the end of the boat where I could sit down on the edge and throw up if necessary. The next thing I knew I was in the water with Bruce, one of the swim guides, and totally disoriented. I kept asking why I was all wet and couldn’t figure out how I got in the ocean. Bruce calmed me down and said I had fainted. Fainted? It sounded so Victorian-age. Bruce later told me he had gone to the back of the boat just in time to see me fall into the ocean and sink like a rock. At first, he thought I was just goofing off and was annoyed because it was lunch time, not play time. But, luckily, he jumped in after me and somehow got me back to the surface.

    I was still disorientated while trying to climb back on the boat. The next thing I knew I was in the dingy, sitting with my head in someone’s lap (I think it was the other swim guide, Coll.) I tried to sit up so I could throw up over the side but David (the British doctor who was also a Swim Trek participant) told me not to sit up. I obeyed and promptly threw up in the dingy. I felt a little bad about that but they said it didn’t matter. I’m not sure if the Greek boat captain felt the same way since he was the one who had to clean the boat. We got to shore where Coll and David helped me walk to a shaded chaise lounge, conveniently placed at the waters edge, just for me. Actually, my feet hardly touched the sand so I’m pretty sure Coll and David did all the work of moving me. I felt like everyone was fussing a little too much and that I was being a drama queen. At that time, I didn’t realize I had passed out more than once. I hadn’t even considered the ramifications; those thoughts came after lunch on the boat.

    The next dingy-load of people included my sister, Audrey, who was horrified that she was lounging around at the front of the boat, enjoying herself, while I dropped into the ocean. She joined us while I followed David’s strict protocol of remaining horizontal for a full twenty minutes, then sitting up for ten minutes before I could walk. David kept taking my pulse and watching me closely. By the time I joined the others for lunch I felt fine, albeit a bit shaken up.

    This photo shows the main characters in my drama.  Dr David is at the far end of the table, Swim Guide (and rescuer of sinking swim trekkers) Bruce is in the back, left side wearing an orange shirt. Audrey is in the blue shirt in front and I’m sitting across from her. The other swim guide, Coll, who half carried me up the beach and to this cafe is at the head of the table. Isn’t he handsome? (Almost as handsome as Hubby.)  I’ve got to admit, all the male attention I received was kind of fun. I’m sure they were all impressed when I puked in the boat. I’m pretty glamorous that way. The other people are our fellow adventurous swim trekkers. The food was awesome and I felt much better by the end of lunch. Which was a pity, since no one had to carry me back to the boat.

    After lunch we relaxed a bit then boated to our next swim spot. Bruce told me to stay on the boat and skip the afternoon swim. Audrey stayed with me. I was fine with that because by then I had started processing it all. What had happened? What did this mean? Should I quit open water swimming? (Unthinkable.) Should I quit driving? (Inconvenient.) Was I okay? Was something bigger coming? Audrey calmed me down and made me laugh when she said that if she had gone home from Greece without me she would be in big trouble with the rest of our family. I focused on the positives and even felt a little pleased when Bruce said I sank like a rock. (Sinking means I don’t have too much body fat on me!)

    After we returned to the hotel that afternoon, Audrey, Bruce and I took a taxi to the medical clinic on the other side of Milos. It was a clean, modern facility without a wait. The nurse took my vitals and then the doctor sauntered in. It appeared as if someone had pulled him away from an afternoon on the beach. His flip flops, sunglasses and loose, casual shirt went well with his long, beachy hair. He asked me questions, listened to my heart and my lungs and then pronounced me well with two thumbs up. It was definitely one of the most casual and enjoyable doctor visits I’ve ever had.  When we checked out, the receptionist said there was no charge. If you’re ever sick, Milos is a good place to be.  We celebrated with chocolate cake that evening after dinner.

    Later that night,I  talked to my twin sister, Suzy, who did some internet research and found other people had reported blacking out after taking the same medication I had. That made me feel much better. It felt great to have a reason for such a bizarre event.

    Dr. David read the label and said the active ingredient, Meclizine, was rarely prescribed in England because it’s a “dirty” drug with numerous side effects. The non drowsy version was a completely different  drug than the original formula. This reminded me that even if something is available over the counter, it doesn’t mean that drug is safe for everyone.

    The next day, Audrey and I stayed at the hotel. We spent a nice day exploring the fishing village, hiking, reading by the ocean and swimming in the bay. I thought about all the little miracles that happened and how grateful I was that things turned out as they had. I’m grateful Bruce had come to the back of the boat just in time to see me fall. I’m grateful I didn’t “come too” when I was underwater. I was so disoriented that had I been underwater I’m sure I would have filled my lungs with water and drowned. Since Bruce was there, I’m grateful I passed out into the ocean instead of in the boat where there were many hard surfaces to bump my head, break my nose or knock out a tooth or two. I’m grateful that Dr. David was on that trip and was willing to help. I’m especially grateful to be alive.

    I don’t drink but I was happy to buy Coll, David and Bruce a drink to celebrate my continuing life.

    Two years ago I was in Greensboro, North Carolina for the Master’s swim meet. While browsing through a small shop I fell in love with, and purchased this card. I hung it on my office wall, where is still hangs today.

    I hope I didn’t jinx myself with the card! Thankfully that day didn’t come in Greece. After our day off, Audrey and I re-joined the swim trek group and enjoyed more beautiful ocean swims without further incident. We did miss the cliff jumping adventure so we may have to return to Milos sometime.

     

  • The Reluctant Massage Therapist

    The Reluctant Massage Therapist

    We all know about the benefits of receiving a great massage; they’re well documented. If you’re a massage junkie, like me, you’ve got firsthand knowledge. But have you ever thought about the benefits that the therapist may be getting? (Other than wages and tips.) I used to think massage was purely about the therapist giving and the client receiving. Which is pretty great when you’re the client. Then I heard the story of the reluctant massage therapist, Ryan Osguthorpe, of Melted Massage in St George, Utah. I asked him how he got into the business and this is what he told me:

    I had never thought about being a massage therapist. I wanted a different job, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I told my friend that working at McDonald’s was sounding better than my current job. He was a massage therapist and told me I should become one. I thought, there’s no way I’m touching people and people are NOT touching me. It was gross. That was my opinion. But out of desperation, I was signed up one day later. I’d never had a massage before then.

    When I was in class I felt like the biggest outcast. There were thirty-nine students and when we were going around introducing ourselves everyone was saying things like, “I’m a natural healer.”  Or that they were there because they had had a great experience with a massage therapist. They’d been giving massages to their family members since they were little, and I had never even hugged a family member. When it was my turn I said, “I’m here for money.” And they said, “oh honey, you’re in the wrong career.” I thought I was too. I literally was going to quit so many times. I hated it. I did not have good experiences on the table.

    Of the thirty-nine students, five of us were guys. For my very first massage I was so nervous. I did NOT want a guy therapist. I was like, please no guy. Of course, I got a guy. It was so awkward-the worst experience. But he eventually became my favorite therapist.

    I didn’t drop out. I just kept sticking to it because I didn’t know what else to do. Then somewhere about five months into it I realized it was the most peaceful job I’d ever had. I did have a couple of good massages by then too. But it was when I was with my clients, massaging them, that’s when everything changed. All of a sudden it was like zen to me. Like a meditation. The connection to another person is really what it’s all about.

    It changed my opinion of people. I really got to know them. I saw them for who they are. When we first meet people, we are so judgmental. I discovered that people have reasons for the things they do. Everyone has a story. People that I used to think harshly about, I don’t anymore. I don’t look at people the same way as I did before.

    (I will add here that I am grateful Ryan got over his feeling of “ickiness” and became a massage therapist-the world is a better place because of it.) His story was eye-opening for me. Ryan said he became a calmer and more empathetic person after becoming a therapist. Did this mean that when I got a massage I was helping improve someone’s life in my own, small way? Or that when I got a massage I could count that as my good-deed-of-the-day? Win-Win! My curiosity was piqued. (Plus, I’m always on the lookout for more rationale to support my massage habit.)

    I asked the owner of Melted Massage, Ryan Gallian, what he gained by giving a massage. Here’s what he told me:

    It’s such an amazing experience when the person on the table and the therapist can both get into what I call ‘the zone’.  For the person on the table it’s a state where they are not really asleep, but not really awake-they’re in this zone. For the therapist, when they have that person in the zone, they are also in the zone. It’s like a meditative state. The peace and the calm that comes from that is amazing. A lot of therapist work off tips in this industry and that is one way to thank your therapist. But expressing gratitude afterward is also a way to fuel their passion for their work. Most massage therapist are givers. Giving fuels their passion and is a huge portion of who they are. It’s tremendously beneficial on a lot more levels than just getting a check. 

    Ryan lives what he preaches which unfortunately translates to being booked out waaaaaaaaay in advance. Booking a massage was so much easier before the word got out. (Worth the wait.)

    The best massage therapists I’ve had not only sooth my muscles, they sooth my soul. Sometimes I leave feeling relaxed and free of muscle knots. And sometimes I feel as though my heart needed that safe touch more than my muscles did. I remember one massage that nourished me when I was grieving the loss of my mom. When my dear friend, Sydney, was struggling with her own loss, I took her to one of the most nurturing therapist I know, Callie Christopherson, owner of Canyonland Massage in St George.

    Sydney was hesitant at first because she had never had a massage before. I prevailed. (She will tell you just how obnoxiously pushy I can be.) Afterward she told me she felt so cared for that she cried during her massage. “I felt as though Callie was massaging all the sadness from my body.” It’s not just about working the knots out. A healing touch is powerful stuff. Callie told me that giving a massage like that gives her sense of purpose. “It’s my favorite thing to do-to help people in that way.” When I asked how she benefits from giving a massage she echoed Ryan Gallian’s sentiments. “I get the same relaxation that the client does. To me, it feels like a moving meditation. I get very centered, which is a healing place for both of us to be in.” In fact, Callie is convinced that massage therapy is a necessary part of an integrated approach to healthcare, rather than simply a pampering luxury. She feels so strongly about  this that she instigated a no-tipping policy at her massage business. “I think the best way clients can express appreciation is by sharing their love of massage and referring friends and family.” I just refer to her as amazing.

    Finding your favorite therapist is a wonderful journey, but…we live in an imperfect world. Not all therapists are out there trying to make the world a more peaceful place. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a particular therapist, find a different therapist. If you ever feel REALLY uncomfortable during a massage, don’t even finish it. Use common sense and listen to your gut feelings.

    And while I’m in warning mode, I must say: when you have a great therapist, and your muscles are encouraged to let go of tension, and you get some feel-good chemicals racing through your body, it’s highly addictive. So, make your body happy, make a therapist happy, make the world a more peaceful place and book a massage. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my Massage Junkies Anonymous meeting.

     

     

     

  • A Sugar-Free Life

    A Sugar-Free Life

    Ryan Duckworth tells his story:

    I’ve never been an endurance athlete, that’s never been one of my strengths. I played your typical fast twitched sports in high school: football, basketball and track. I’m 6’3” and my college football weight was about 235 pounds with muscle.

    In 2005 a friend introduced me to triathlon and I got hooked on it. I ended up training and bulking up until I weighed over 250 pounds.
    Then I lost some weight and weighed about 220 on race day of the 2010 St George Ironman. I set a goal to be competitive at the half ironman and qualify for Worlds.

    In December 2012, I recommitted to losing weight and to get to where I needed to be health wise, because I really wanted to do well at the St George Half Ironman in May of 2013. Our whole family was in Las Vegas on vacation. On Christmas Eve I ate at a buffet and I ate everything I wanted to eat. The next day, Christmas Day, I was as sick as could be. I’d gotten food poisoning. My family was all out doing stuff and I was in a hotel room puking my guts out. All day long, on Christmas, I never left the bed. While there I had time to reflect on things. I decided that I was going to completely change the way I ate, including removing all refined sugars from my diet.

    There is actually no way to avoid all sugars because it is the biggest poison in the world and all manufactures put it in their food to make it addictive. So you just do the best you can to reduce that.

    I avoided all soda, candy, ice cream and junk food. I was totally done with all that. I also started eating smarter and switched from simple carbs to complex carbs. I switched from white rice to brown and stopped eating white bread and noodles. I ate whole grains instead. That new way of eating, along with a workout plan made a huge difference. I was able to lose all my extra weight. Right now I weigh 190 pounds instead of 230-250, where I was at the start of my tri career.

    My first week off sugar I went through withdrawals and I had to find things to substitute to make it work. I’ve had to educate myself over the past few years to find out what my body is really craving. If you’re craving sugar you probably need more protein.

    I try to eat fruit during the first part of the day and vegetables at night. Just like most people I’ll have those cravings at night for something sweet. Most people go right to the ice cream. I had to figure out something else that would work for me. Dried fruit that’s low in acid is one of my substitutes. Or I’ll make a protein shake by blending a couple frozen berries, a banana and milk of some kind. While the rest of the family is eating their ice cream I’m having my treat. When you stop eating sugar you can take weight off and keep the muscle.

    It is amazing when you eliminate the sugar from your diet, what it does to you emotionally. The problem with sugar is you have your high highs and your low lows. Without the sugar you still have your highs but your lows aren’t as low. If you eat sugar you will get a short sugar high but then afterwards that crash is so far down.

    Now my energy levels are more consistent. That was the biggest thing I noticed by just getting rid of sugar.

    The other thing about eliminating sugar and losing weight is that you feel so much better, especially when you’re racing. I can’t tell you how much better of a runner I’ve gotten from being lighter on my feet.

    My training is a lot difference. I had some testing done that showed my body burns fat a lot better than it did before. Also, when I go out for an hour training run I can go out with only water. I don’t need any sugar drinks and I can sustain my energy for a longer period of time without that stuff.

    In 2014 at the St George Ironman I was able to qualify for the world championships in the half and I went to Mont Tremblant, Canada in 2014. It was awesome to check that off the bucket list. My next goal is to get to Hawaii and race in the big dance, in Kona, and so I’ll keep working at that.

    Going off sugar helps me reach my goals. It’s also not just for health reasons. I want to feel the way I do now verses the way I used to feel.

  • 90-Day Yoga Challenge

    90-Day Yoga Challenge

    This is me, falling out of dancer’s pose on Lamma Island. Balancing is  harder on the sand  than in a yoga studio.

    For my 50th birthday I decided to tackle something I’ve wanted to do for a while: practice yoga consistently. I’ve done yoga home videos and dvds over the years but it’s been pretty hit and miss. I usually enjoyed following along but if the phone rang or someone (anyone) in the house needed anything, yoga was abandoned for more “urgent” matters.
    Then last January my son, Colton, told me about the 90-day yoga challenge at his favorite studio, Be Hot Yoga, in St George.  They encouraged participants to attend at least three classes per week and offered a special rate for the 90-days. I joined and ended up averaging six classes per week except when I went out of town for spring break.
    The hot yoga was challenging. Holding poses correctly is much more difficult than I thought it would be, especially in a hot, humid room.  Even though class was only 60 minutes long, it usually felt like forever before the wonderful final savasana (corpse pose.)
    I remember struggling through most of the classes and then one day, about one month into it, I realized how much progress I’d made. I noticed my arms and legs were stronger and more toned and hard poses weren’t as hard. I know yoga is all about acceptance but I’m a competitive person by nature and I love results. While I did find it easier to be kind and accepting of myself, I was also excited when I was able to do my first chaturanga (like a yoga pushup) without plopping down belly first.  
    I also lost a few pounds during the challenge. It wasn’t because I was exercising more. In fact, I probably did fewer cardio workouts while doing a daily yoga class. But I did notice that daily yoga helped make life seem less stressful. I felt more peaceful, more grounded which meant less need for comfort eating.  Perhaps meditation class is just as important as cardio for healthy weight loss.
    On Fridays, Matt Fehrenbacker teaches a 75-minute version of the foundation class. Which is wonderful and awful. It’s nice to have a bit of extra time to really get into the poses, unless of course, it’s a pose that you don’t necessarily want to really get into. I remember one day we were in a warrior II pose for what felt like a painfully long time. I kept sending the telepathic message “release the pose” to Matt but he wasn’t receiving and stubbornly refused to say those magic words. I was about to tap out and escape into child’s pose when he said something that really hit me. “This pose will build your determination as well as your strength.”  What???? I could actually use some more of that determination stuff in my life. Could I really get it by holding my body in an uncomfortable, silly shape? It must work a little because it took some determination on my part not to slap Matt’s face as he walked by calmly talking to the class as though we all LOVE hanging out in Warrior II for endless minutes. Let me just say it was an aha! moment for me.
    And I must tell you about Matt’s mom, Jane Fehrenbacker. She was the first person I met at Be Hot Yoga. She welcomed me and encouraged me after I struggled through the first class. She’s like the yoga poster child. Who raised a bazillion kids.  And survived to tell the tale.  And is soooooo loving and kind. She is such a bright light.
    She is a beautiful, radiant, gray-haired grandma who kicks yoga butt all day long. I was so impressed with her after that first class. And even more so when I walked into a class the next week and she was teaching it! Wow, I think I’m all out of excuses.

    I’m not sure if it was the hard work, or the hot room, or all that focused breathing, but lying on my mat after class was surreal. I would breath slowly and deeply for a few minutes while most of the class quietly left the room. By the time the last person left, the room would grow quiet and a peace would descend on me like a fog. I stopped focusing on my breath and just let go. I felt joyful and weightless, as though I was floating. It was a pretty great way to start the day.

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    Building determination on the beach

    Be Hot Yoga hosted a party May 22nd for all the 90-day challenge participants. It was an opportunity for everyone to share their journey while enjoying yoga, food and music. I was sorry to miss it since we had left for Hong Kong the day before and didn’t return until mid-June. But I think it’s safe to say I am not the only one who found this challenge to be an eye-opening, life-changing experience.

  • Why You Should Not Eat Sugar

    Why You Should Not Eat Sugar

    When my oldest daughter, Asia, was an adorable three-year old I read the book, “Sugar Blues.” I recognized some of the symptoms of eating too much sugar and decided then to quit sugar all together. Asia is now a gorgeous 25-year-old and I have yet to quit sugar for more than a week or two at a time. This article helped motivate me to try again. So with my loving husband’s enthusiastic support…here we go!
     
     
     
     
    What is Sugar?
    The sugar I am going to refer to here, is specifically the white sugar that comes as granules or cubes, as well as brown sugar and all the various mixes of glucose, fructose and sucrose, including high fructose corn syrup.
    So what is it? Here is the simplest definition I can give you:
    Sugar is a drug that has no nutritional value and is an addictive chemical.
    Hence, no wonder that today we have a nation that is addicted to sugar! In fact many experts have come forth, comparing sugar to cocaine, when it comes to its effects on our brain.
    While some of us know this or are starting to realize it, many more do not. In fact, most people in the population have no idea just how harmful sugar is on our health.
    Eating sugar, is not just about putting yourself at a higher risk for diabetes type 2 or weight gain. Sugar affects every single system in your body, and none in a positive way.

    Sugar Effects on the BRAIN

    One of the most debilitating health problems in our modern, Western world today is depression. According to the World Health Organization, depression is not only sharply on the rise, with suicides alone having risen 60% in the last 45 years, but it is currently the 4th leading contributor to the global burden of disease. And according to a report from CNN, antidepressants are the most prescribed drugs in the US, with their numbers tripling over the last couple of decades.
    So what does this have to do with sugar?
    Our natural feel-good brain chemical is the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Our bodies naturally make this in balanced amounts.
    Sugar raises the serotonin level in our brain. Hence, we can understand why we “feel good” eating sweets. Through this mechanism, sugars cause the body to have a chemical high mentally, which results in a lift in mood.
    However, the huge problem with this, is that over time the body cuts back serotonin production, which results in slight to serious depression. Just by not having a “sugary” substance, one can experience mood swings, unhappiness, irritability and other negative symptoms.
    Basically put, sugar throws off your natural serotonin balance, and to add to this the brain is now addicted to getting the serotonin high artificially.

    Sugar Effects on  the TEETH

    We have always been told that sugar causes cavities. However to get the full story, we have to understand that while sugar itself can be slightly corrosive, depending on its concentration and material it comes in contact with, what causes most cavities are bacteria. So where sugar comes into the equation, is that cavity causing bacteria feed on sugar. Hence, the more sugar we eat, the more bacteria we have, to do all sorts of damage to our teeth.
    Thus, it has long been known that sugar is the leading cause of dental deterioration, cavities in teeth, bleeding gums, and loss of teeth.

    Sugar Effects on the PANCREAS

    Although we are told that high sugar diets increase our risk for diabetes type 2, we are not really given the exact mechanism of what is really happening.
    Diabetes type 2 is caused by a slew of symptoms, the main ones being the body’s inability to properly use or produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by our pancreas, that our body uses to regulate that amount of sugar in our blood. Too high concentrations of sugar in our blood can kill us, just as too low concentrations of sugar.
    Sugar causes our pancreas to overwork in its production of insulin, leading to insulin resistance and other problems, which manifest as the known diabetes type 2.

    Sugar Effects on our BONES

    When sugar is digested it has an acidic effect on our body. In the understanding of the acid-alkaline balance of the body, an acidic body is prone to various diseases, and our bodies do everything they can to make sure the blood, via which sugar is carried, does not get too acidic, going out of its slightly alkaline range.
    To do this, the body needs an alkaline substance to neutralize the effects of the acidic sugar. Calcium is an alkaline mineral, highly abundant in our bones. And so, calcium is used to neutralize the acidic effects of sugar. This results in bones becoming weak, porous and eventually osteoporotic due to the withdrawn calcium. This being a much bigger reason of why we have the osteoporosis rates we do, instead of it being a lack of dairy or calcium. Instead of taking more calcium, whether through dairy or supplements, which can lead to so many other health problems, we need to reduce our sugar intake.

    Sugar Effects on our HEART

    When most people think of what causes heart disease, fat is normally the answer that follows. However, we have to awaken to the fact that sugar leads to heart disease as well, and today there is a HUGE link between diabetes and heart disease. Diabetics are at a higher risk for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
    Sugar causes artery damage, inflammation of the arteries and hence weaker arteries. This is due to the biochemistry of what it does as it travels through the blood stream in large, especially poorly regulated amounts, if our pancreas is stressed and having a hard time with the correct production and use of insulin.
    This makes one more susceptible to clogged arteries, hypertension (high blood pressure), weak arteries, strokes and heart attacks.

    Sugar Effects on DEFICIENCIES

    Many people do not think twice when digesting sugary substances, that in doing so, they can be stripping valuable nutrients from their body.
    The digestion of sugar requires many vitamins, minerals and enzymes to be stripped from healthy cells. Over time this is taxing on our system, and especially to those who are already eating poor diets based on empty calorie, nutrient deficient, processed foods. This is also not something that can be fixed by taking a synthetic multivitamin, but requires a good, natural, wholesome, nutrient rich diet.

    Sugar Effects on OBESITY

    Glucose is our body’s number one fuel or energy source, and generally speaking all sugar breaks down into glucose. For most of us, there is a huge discrepancy between how much fuel is needed and how much we provide. Thus, being resourceful, our body never throws away energy, that could be potentially used in the future, and so on average 40% of sugar ingested is stored as fat.
    Whenever there is an excess in energy, whether from sugar calories, or protein calories or fat calories, they all get converted to and stored in fat cells. Hence, it is no surprise that high sugar diets, lead to weight problems and obesity.
    In fact, if we take those 30 teaspoons the average North American eats daily on average, that accounts to over 400 calories daily just in sugar alone!
    And we can fool ourselves all we want, and use the “treat” word as an excuse to ingest sugar foods regularly, but in the end, when the weight comes on, there is no fooling ourselves about that.

    Sugar Effects on the IMMUNE SYSTEM

    What always boggles my mind, are parents who want their children to be healthy and complain when their kids get sick, and yet they have no issues giving their kids regular sodas, cookies, candies, sugary cereals and you name it. And let us not even get into the whole premise of Halloween or Easter in our society.
    Eating sugar makes your immune system slow down to a crawl. In fact, sugar has been found to almost paralyze the white blood cells responsible for engulfing harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria for up to around 5 hours and reduces their ability to work properly by up to 40%. The effects of sugar and the immune system appear to have been first studied by Dr. Linus Pauling in the early-mid 1900’s. Today, you can read more about this from natural health experts like Dr. Marcel Hernandez or allopathic health experts like Dr. William Sears.
    To add to this, over time, the stress hormone cortisol becomes elevated and causes increases to various infections as well as general organ malfunction, including heart disease.

    Conclusion

    Most people think sugar is just dangerous if you fear gaining weight, and some even boast about how much sugar they eat, without gaining any weight.
    However, with sugar being in most foods today as one of the top five ingredients, it is time we wake up to the bitter truth about sugar, how it harms our body and plays a leading role in almost every disease and health condition out there.
    Its harmful effects go way beyond just weight problems. And the worst part is that, it is no longer safe to just avoid “sweets”, as sugar is added to pretty much every processed food, from bread to ketchup!
    If you think the list and explanations above are way more than you bargained for when it came to eating sugar, I hate to break it to you but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Sugar causes damage to literally every system or organ in our body, including ones not even mentioned like the liver and kidneys. It is also linked to learning disorders in kids, ADD/ADHD and sugar is directly related to cancer. The higher the sugar consumption, the greater the risk of cancers.
    For many, this news comes as a shock, to the point that they are tempted to brush it aside, disbelieve it and pretend they never heard it. After all, our society is saturated in sugar and every major holiday makes sure we get lots of it, so how could this be? Why wouldn’t our doctors and nutritionists and governments protect us from this? For those of you who know the back end of the system, I am sure I do not have to explain.
    My personal inspiration to go sugar free took place after my own journey in optimal nutrition, finally made me face the facts about sugar. Following up with Dr. Olson’s book Sugarettes, was the final tipping point. That was exactly 2 years ago. Remember, this does not mean things like fruits and dates, or even some raw honey. I know I can safely consume these as part of my diet, enjoy the delicious sweet taste and health benefits of them.
    And what was the effect of this for me? Along with all other aspects of my optimal nutrition, eliminating sugar has made me feel even more amazing, but the biggest area I noticed a huge change in, were cravings. Detoxing from sugar, meant no more cravings of any kind where sweets were concerned. I was no longer a slave to anything “sweet” – true freedom at last!
    So in the end, as with everything else, what you do with this information is as always up to you. Will a little hurt you? Probably not, but we no longer have a little when it comes to sugar today, as it is in literally every processed food in large quantities. Thus, I know that I personally would never advise someone to eat any amounts of sugar or give it to them in any foods, especially those I most love and care for. And as crazy as it may sound to some people, like Dr. Olson, I too believe that there will come a time in society, where we will look at sugar, like most today look at cigarettes.
  • Jewel Juice

    Jewel Juice

    This gorgeous juice helped fuel a fun day exploring Bryce Canyon with Andy and Sylvia. I made it by juicing three cucumbers, three stalks celery, two small beets and their greens, an apple, a lemon a small knob of ginger.

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    I try to use organic produce as much as possible but on this day my cucumbers and apple were conventionally grown so I peeled them. I cut off most of the lemon peel but leave a little on for extra flavor. I also like to chop things up a bit to help out the juicer.

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    I ended up with more than a quart of this good stuff. Try it sometime. It tastes as good as it looks!

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  • Optimum Health Institute-One Month Later

    Optimum Health Institute-One Month Later

    After one week at the Optimum Health Institute I got home with the best intentions. I slid down the slippery slope and ended up in a rebound love affair with sugar. Within a week I had gained back all but one of the nine pounds I’d lost. That is a long, hard week’s worth of work down the drain. But then again, maybe not. I do feel better and it’s easier to “be good” after my initial rebound.
    I got back on my feet and was able to stay away from the sugar. The week of wild abandon was not as satisfying as I thought and I really missed my veggies. So now I’m striking a nice balance of mostly whole, raw foods and some sweets for emotional fulfillment or social situations. After spending time at OHI I’m moving towards all raw and plan to get this 30-day raw food done by the end of July.  
    One positive observation: plant power in the pool. I’ve started getting some swimming workouts in and trying to get in shape. I signed up for the Utah Summer Games Master’s swim meet. I didn’t want to participate because I’ve been mostly out of the water for the past few years. (It’s the old “I don’t want to get into a swim suit” excuse.) The last time I swam in this meet was 6 years ago and I weighed 30 pounds less than I do right now. I decided to swim anyway just to see where I’m at. I was surprised that I swam as fast as I did and I wasn’t that far off from my times six years and 30 pounds ago.  I actually ended up with two first places and two seconds places. Both of the first places were new records for my 45-49 year old age group. Go figure! My 50 Meter Freestyle time of 33.43 even qualified me to swim in the Master’s National meet in CA this August. I’m excited to swim because the last time I went to a National meet was in Mission Viejo in 1985. So as of now I am officially in training. No more sugar, no more junk. Raw food starts now. Lets see how far this plant power will take us!

    http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20130622/SPORTS/306230004/Utah-Summer-Games-swimming-family-affair

  • Saturday at OHI

    Saturday at OHI

    I felt good when I awoke this morning. Renee and I slugged down our wheatgrass juice like pros then got ready for breakfast. Everything is winding down and I’m excited and nervous to be going home tomorrow. I’m not sure I’m ready to leave this place and venture out in the world again but I really miss the kiddos. I can’t wait to get home to my family.

    I’m still struggling with cravings now and then and I want to continue this program. I know I’m not done detoxing and I look forward to feeling really good. Most of the pain in my body is gone and I can walk with no sharp knee pain. The lump at the back of my skull had gone down considerable and is no longer tender. Not sure what it was but I’m glad it’s leaving! (I was afraid that it would keep on growing and one of my alter egos would take up residence at the back of my head-Harry Potter style. Glad that didn’t happen.)

    Renee, too, has seen so much improvement during this past week. She was able to stop taking her pain medication for her rheumatoid arthritis for the first time in years. She also feels like she learned so much and made some startling discoveries about her own life.

    We attended the closing class then had lunch. Afterward we had a quiet afternoon journaling and setting up a life plan to help us succeed in the “real world.” Spent time after dinner visiting with the other guests then watched the “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” documentary in the evening. One day I will do an extended juice feast. Just for fun.

  • Toning at the Optimum Health Institiute

    Toning at the Optimum Health Institiute

     

    Vocal toning– an ancient vocal exercise that uses simple sounds to reestablish a natural flow of energy through your body. Use this simple, yet powerful technique for creating harmony from inside out to reach a meditative state. (From the class description at the Optimum Health Institute.)

    Weeks ago when Renee was at my house for a mid-journey stopover, we had an interesting conversation. She mentioned to me that from the time she was a baby she would hum whenever she was very sick or in serious pain. Although her mother found this behavior a little eerie, she soon realized that if Renee went into humming mode then it was time to go to the hospital. Renee still does it as an adult even though it seems strange and no one, not even Renee herself, understands why she does this. 

    When she told me this I immediately thought of the toning class at The Optimum Health Institute. We learned about healing with sound vibrations and it seems as though Renee had done this instinctively since childhood. (That conversation was the catalyst for us going there together a short time later.)

    Toning was the most unusual (new age-y) class for me because I’d never heard of toning before and it sounds a little far-fetched. When I went to the class for the first time I thought it would be a class using weights to tone our muscles. I was way off on that one-there was not a dumbbell in sight! We had a brief introduction on the hows and whys and then we were off and toning. This was a class for everyone at OHI and we had a good-sized group (50-60 people perhaps.) I’ve never tried this at home but I’m guessing it won’t be as powerful with just one or two voices.

    There are eight different centers in the body, each one corresponding to different internal organs. When you make a particular sound at a particular vibrational frequency it will actually help improve different parts of your body. For example, the first center is located at the tailbone and affects the adrenal glands, legs, feet, bones and large intestines. We made the sound “ooo” as in the word “tool.” It is associated with the color red and signifies the center of your vitality/life force.

    The explanation on the bottom of our handout read: “Each Center governs particular organs of the body. Using sound to resonate each center helps to ‘charge’ those particular organs, increasing circulation, energy and vitality to that area. The eighth center governs the energy field surrounding the body. Quantum physics is suggesting that possibly disease in the body originates with disturbances in the electromagnetic field. Toning 3-5 minutes at each energy center helps “smooth out” the energy fields.”

    We went through all eight centers for 4 or 5 minutes with some background music that helped us stay on pitch. Or maybe it was to help us stay relaxed,  I’m not really sure.  (Renee said it was both.) At times I would get distracted from my zen state and think, “what the heck are we doing? This is really weird! Is this really doing anything at all besides making strange noises?” I tried to throw those thoughts out when they came because when my mind was clear I felt transported to a different place. I felt as though I was actually bathing in a soothing sea of sound vibrations. It’s a little hard to explain. You had to be there.

    Renee and I both left that class feeling awed at what had happened. We started the class feeling tired and finished it completely calm but totally energized. No caffeine required. Take that Mr. Red Bull!

  • Walking Off a Craving

    Walking Off a Craving

    In my last post I mentioned how we got through juicing days with relative ease. When I reviewed what I wrote in my journal during that time I remembered struggling a bit one evening. I’m a little embarrassed to write so much of sugar cravings and my seemingly endless preoccupation with food. There are so many other joyous or thought-provoking topics in the world I could focus my attention on. I feel shallow and weak when I worry about it, but honestly, that’s where I’m at right now. And it interferes with my life enough that it really needs to be addressed.

    Our dinner that night was green juice. Neither of us felt hungry at all and didn’t want more juice, but drank it anyway.  
    When we got back to our room I was having some serious cravings and wanted to drive to WalMart to get a treat. I wasn’t hungry, I just wanted something sweet. It was a strong craving, the kind that takes over my mind and makes it hard for me to think of anything else. I was restless and discouraged. If I’m going to be honest I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I didn’t want to deal with cravings for the rest of my life. It’s ridiculous how much time and energy they take up and how discouraging I find this whole situation. There are so many other “more serious” struggles out there that I should just be grateful that mine is sugar and not something more destructive, illegal, immoral or expensive. I’m a very functional addict.

    I was pacing around and perhaps even whining a bit. Renee offered some helpful suggestions to keep me from driving to Wally World and I ended up going for a walk around campus. It was a beautiful evening. I sat for awhile in the garden, focused on all the good in my life and felt calm. By the time I walked back to the room I felt better and the craving had gone away. Taking that extra bit of time to calm down really made the desperate feeling disappear. Maybe that’s something I should try at home. Ya think?

    I’m so glad Renee’s here with me. It’s much easier to do this with a friend- except for the lack of sleep part since we can’t seem to stop talking at night! You will all be relieved to know we have solved most of the world’s problems by now. Just one more week at OHI…