Monday, May 14, 2012

HEAL

Each week my healing journey continues to reveal new moments of awe and profound realizations that literally shake the ground I'm walking on...

My week at OHI in Austin was my healing journey in fast-forward.  It was the mecca of healing wrapped into seven mind-blowing days.

I walked in the door with an open mind and heart.

I left with the renewed understanding that the highest level of health is possible for EVERYone. 

It doesn’t matter if you are five-hundred pounds overweight or if you have been diagnosed with stage 4 “end-stage” cancer.  You can heal.
 
It doesn’t matter if you have involved yourself in years of addiction to food, alcohol, sex, cigarettes, or  prescription drugs.  You can heal.

And it doesn’t matter if you are clinically depressed, have been ravaged by autoimmune disease, or carry a life of abuse on your shoulders.  You can heal.

Or if you simply want to elevate the great health you currently enjoy, then you can proactively learn how to take your life's energy up another notch.

Whatever your health opportunity, the raw-food detox cleanse is a rare opportunity to see the human body in its most natural state... and consequently to witness a given disease process in reverse.

I am deeply moved by the innate healing capacity each of our body's contain when we integrate our mind, body and spirit, allowing us to remove the physical and mental barriers only we have created.

It begs the question: Why do we take something meant to be so simple and make it so very complicated, and costly???

Why does our culture immediately resort to prescription drugs, IV's and and surgery's... often temporary band-aids which do not address the root issue??

We know its the cumulative exposure to sludge that wears the body down.

We know its the build-up of toxins, both physical and emotional coupled with a continuously challenged immune system that can wear down every cell of our being.

It is extraordinary what a little time and effort taking out the trash and recalibrating the immune system can do for anyone.

Here are a few of the highlights from my experience:


A sample of the colorful, raw food meals provided throughout the week.

Our body typically spends a great deal of energy on the primary function of digestion.

When we give the body easy-to-digest nutrient rich foods
we free-up our innate resources to focus on the secondary function of detoxification.

When the body is not digesting, its pulling toxins from each cell, circulating and then eliminating.

The body's needs are still met via optimal nutrition, further enabling the detox process.

Sunday evening dinner.  Gorgeous living foods and happy kitchen staff.


There are numerous benefits to this type of raw food detox.  


Two of my favorite benefits that directly combat disease include:


1) It helps create an environment for the gut to heal and seal, so digestive tract contents are no longer leaking into the bloodstream and brain


2) Allows the liver to reestablish optimal metabolic pathways, including balancing of all-powerful hormones
Singin my song... on a table in the dining room.

 Buzz on rejuvelac...a fermented quinoa drink
loaded in beneficial probiotics and B vitamins.


Pictured here with my sweet friend who came all the way  from Geneva, Switzerland.
I knew this was the place for me when I learned that
wheatgrass is the LIFEBLOOD of the organization.

You might recall wheatgrass is the miracle grass that helped me thrive during the gauntlet that was chemo.

Wheatgrass (aka liquid sunshine) is a fantastic source of protein and chlorophyll.

I have since learned the main reason it was so beneficial during chemo was because the structure of this plant is only one molecule away from the structure of our blood's hemoglobin.

Wheatgrass served as an excellent blood replacement in my time of need.

The purpose for drinking wheatgrass juice at OHI was not simply for blood replacement or detox.  We also drank it for its alkalinizing benefit.

Wheatgrass juice is extremely alkaline.  Disease requires a dark, moist, acidic and anaerobic environment.


We know that disease processes including cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment .

An alkaline body is a body that cancer HATES.

No doubt I love the way this stuff makes me feel.  And every shot I take, I know that cancer despises every cell of my being.

For more on this healing plant, check out this previous post:
http://www.wholelottaliving.blogspot.com/2011/11/wonder-grass.html

Juicing of the grass
bottoms up!

Now that the body is in cleansing of the crud mode, its time for new knowledge!

The program consists of a plethora of thought provoking and educational courses.


This class' focus was on detoxing our personal care products.


It is mind-blowing to learn the variety of poisons we put on our on a daily basis.


We discussed better non-toxic options, typically more cost effective than the mainstream poisons,
and no-surprise much better for our environment.




I was especially grateful for the cozy accomodations once the detox symptoms set in....my own bathroom, a bed that felt like I was at home, and a big, clean, fuzzy white robe.  

For a few hours the second evening I felt as though I had received another dose of chemo.. with headache, body ache, tummy ache, GI issues, even cold sweats.    

Sure enough, that's exactly what was happening as my body pulled, circulated and removed the remaining chemo and other acidic toxins that had been bound to my cells. 

I missed the coursework that second evening, and had a restless, rough night of sleep.  I woke up dozens of times as my liver was in overdrive cleaning house.  

I was grateful for a developed meditation practice... it connected me to a higher awareness that night that helped me see a new side of myself.

The challenge was worth it.  The next morning emerged a new ME.  I hadn't felt this good without the use of caffeine, sugar, drugs in a LONG time.  

I was in awe of how good the body is meant to feel when there is little to no interference. 

I continued to experience slight detox symptoms on and off thru the rest of the week, which I welcomed as it meant my body was still releasing toxins and repairing.  The symptoms were manageable via water intake and relaxation!


Enjoying bubbles after a cathartic emotional detox course.


This is about the time I started to hammer Peg (4th from the left in the green vest) 
with question's about her beautiful healing story... see link here for more info

http://www.wholelottaliving.blogspot.com/2011/12/thrive.html    


Juice fast... the body and mind begin to desludge at an even greater  intensity.
Crash course on how to grow the sweetest, best tasting organic wheatgrass.


An entire greenhouse is devoted to this stuff... Jenna (pictured) and I were in heaven!!!


The average client juices almost an entire tray per day.

Learning all about organic, sustainable gardening and sprouting...
resulting in most delicious and miraculous living foods.

In and out of the classroom, there are a number of opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual connection in whichever way suits each guests preference.

The institute provides an onsite chapel, and dozens of places to meditate, pray, enjoy peace and connect with your whole self.
Hikes and meditation spots along the gorgeous trails were my ideal way
to connect with the innate beauty and possibility all around
Stopping to smell the flowers

Foundational Healing Therapies:
With 80% of our immune system residing in our large intestine,
 cleaning house is imperative for a move toward greater health.

Deep tissue, Swedish, Lymphatic.. you name it.
Messaging out built-up toxins is a cornerstone of a good detox process.

Reestablishing the connection 
between our nervous system and our vital organs is foundational
to not just healing but in allowing our bodies and minds to reach their full potential.

What would a detox program be without
assisting the body's innate ability to really
circulate and eliminate toxins??  

Strengthening immunity via natural Vit D...
Gorgeous pool and balconies allow for  more healing time with Nature

The Goal of the OHI program:
To alkalinize the body via mind, body and spirit.

As briefly discussed regarding wheatgrass, the pH index measures the level of oxygen circulating our blood.

Acidic blood= At or below a pH level of 7.0

Alkaline blood= Above 7.0

An alkaline urine pH between 7.2 and 7.4 is the ideal.  

Remember cancer disease processes THRIVE in an acidic environment.

If we create an alkaline environment through our food and our emotions, cancer stands ZERO chance.

Before heading to OHI, my urine pH was consistently at or below 7.0 
as conventional chemo and radiation toxins continued to circulate my body.  


After the full week of OHI detox, 
this is my urine pH measurement. 


Cancer friggin HATES me!! WHOOP WHOOP!!


Note: I brought these pH strips from home (available on Amazon.com) to gauge how well my body was responding to the detox process throughout the week.

I call this pic OHI Bliss....


Its unreal how good a body feels after a week of life-changing research-based knowledge, plus 
zero caffeine, zero sugar (I chose no fructose via fruit as well), 
and zero stress.  


Notes from my Journal 12/5/11

"It's been 15 months since I have felt this free of cancer."

"OHI will not save you.  OHI will give you the tools to save yourself."

"The holistic approach simply employs the cure for cancer by reversing what caused it in the first place." 



Let it be known there is no financial gain for me in sharing this information.  I am not professionally affiliated with OHI in anyway.
 
What I do hope to gain is the peace-of-mind of creating awareness, of sharing a most viable option….so people know they have OPTIONS.  So good people, doing the best they can, know they have OPTIONS.  

In the face of health crises, let it be known we truly have OPTIONS.

It's often human nature to cast aside ideas that are new or that challenge the status quo.  In most cases, we are the only ones who miss out.

Just imagine.... imagine what could be possible.. ..what a different world this would be if our focus was not on SICK care, but on true wellness care.

When we not only learn but incorporate the tools to be our best self, absolutely anything is possible.  The only limits that exist are the ones that we create.

The information gained and habit's incorporated into my lifestyle from this experience will affect the rest of my ever-so humbled yet vibrant, abundant and disease-free life.

It has already impacted the health of those I love...  especially those who fought along my side during conventional treatments... including my hot, slender rock of a hubby, and our glowing, exuberant healthy little girl.
 
If removing the root cause, healing your body from the inside out, and taking your whole self to a new level of health is your thing, then OHI is your Heaven on Earth.  

For more insight into the transformational OHI experience, check out these powerful testimonials:



Whole Lotta LOVE and VIBRANT living to you!  

-Ang XXOOOXO



Studies and Related Articles:

Scientists found solid evidence that mind-body techniques actually do fight disease and promote health:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/mind-body-000355.htm

Healing Cancer: Latest research in mind-body medicine... Optimum Health Institute
http://www.healingcancer.info/resources/clinics/optimum-health

Healing Cancer: Latest research in mind-body medicine... Hippocrates Health Institute
http://www.healingcancer.info/resources/clinics/hippocrates

“Civilized” Medicine Dismisses Mind/Soul

http://www.noetic.org/about/case-studies/mind-body/

Friday, May 4, 2012

NOURISH


I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.

- e.e. cummings



Rain pours, the thunder cracks... the humid air runs across the covered porch sending goosebumps down my back and arms.  As the much needed water nourishes the trees, the bushes, the garden... I am overcome with the beauty of this perfect day.

Our angel is napping.  I want to greet her sleepy eyes and nourish her little body with one of her favorite treats.  Luckily, it happens to be one of mine as well!!

Chocolate Almond and Mint Superfood Smoothie 



Superfood Ingredients:



    Almond Milk or nut milk of choice
·       If purchasing from the store, the Silk brand has fewer additives (and no carageenan which is associated with increased cancer risk, see resources below)

·        If making your own, just soak 1 cup raw nut of choice (almonds, pecans, walnut, cashews, etc) in 4 cups of filtered water for 6-8 hours, blend, sift through cheese cloth or nut milk bag, stores great in mason jars, can last 7-10 days in the fridge.  Try this just once... its so delicious you will want to make homemade every time!:)

    Pure Raw Cocoa Powder

·        Make sure its untreated, naked chocolate

·        Seriously amped-up antioxidant benefits minus the sugar, higher concentration of antioxidants than any food in the world!

·        20 times more antioxidants than red wine!

·        By weight, has more antioxidants than red wine, blue berries, acai, pomegranates and goji berries combined!

·        Greatest source of magnesium, the most deficient mineral in the (SAD) Standard American Diet, a mineral that:
§  eases menstrual cramping
§  increases alkalinity
§  helps build strong bones
§  increases flexibility
§  improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
§  improves mood
§  increases brainpower

·        Iron: 1 oz serving contains 314% RDA of iron, a critical mineral for healthy blood via hemoglobin

·        Excellent Source of chromium, manganese, zinc, copper, vit C

·        BLISS Chemical: Cocoa inhibits the body’s ability to breakdown the naturally produced cannabinoid endorphin called Anandamide, cocoa also releases its own Cocoa Anandamide, making us feel great even longer!!


   Raw Almonds or raw almond butter
·        Loaded in protein, magnesium, potassium and so much more

   Chia Seeds or hemp seeds
·        More protein, calcium, fiber, antioxidants

   Kale/ leafy greens of choice
·        Kale is one of the healthiest veggies on the planet
·        All your vit A, C and K needs for the day, plus lots more

   Berries or Banana
·        Natural sweetener, go berries for more antioxidants and free form flavonoids

   Fresh Chocolate Mint, Spearmint, or Peppermint
·        More chlorophyll, antioxidants and flavor!
  
   Ice (from filtered water)

Fresh Chocolate Mint

1. Simply add ingredients to blender in preferred amounts.... start with banana/ berries, kale/ greens, covering with nut milk and blend.

2.  Once you can see a nice vortex in the blender, add nuts, seeds, cocoa powder, and ice.

3.  Finish by adding a few sprigs of mint.  

4.  Serve with a few mint leaves for garnish.  Enjoy!!


Extra Adds:

Spring: lots of fresh baby greens, can easily be hidden by the chocolate and sweet fruit
Summer:  variety of or fresh or frozen berries, pineapple, mango, fresh coconut
Fall/ Winter: cinnamon, clove, mace, nutmeg, vanilla
To thicken: add an avocado for great texture

Relish in the perfect gifts of Nature!!




Lots of Nourishing Love to you!  XXOOO

-Angela


Resources:


Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the FutureDavid Wolfe. 2009






.






Monday, April 23, 2012

INSPIRE

Need some Go-JUICE for your day??

Here is yet another testimonial to just how miraculous the body truly is...

How it wants to heal, to THRIVE.. and absolutely WILL when given the right stuff.

Brenda Cobb amazed doctors when she completely healed from breast and cervical cancer by following the living foods lifestyle using organic raw and living (sprouted) foods.

Here is a video clip of her story.



Here she is today, 10 years later... ALIVE and looking more gorgeous and vibrant than ever!!


http://www.livingfoodsinstitute.com/about_meetBrenda.php

Craving even more oomph in your step today?

Check out this beautiful picture of the body's natural defense against cancer... our powerful Killer T-cells (aka our white blood cells) post-attack of a cancer cell.

Killer T-Cell in lower middle... ding, dong, Cancer is DEAD

Lots of Healing, Warmth and Love to YOU!
XXOOO
-Ang

For a refresh of Peg's story, visit this previous post http://wholelottaliving.blogspot.com/2011/12/thrive.html


Friday, March 2, 2012

INVIGORATE

Major bed head, zero make-up, but ready to bring on the day!

CHEERS!! and don't forget your cinnamon chaser!!

YES!!!

Feeling INVIGORATED by my morning 2 oz. shot of homegrown, organic wheatgrass...


Grateful my sweet neighbor, Neena, came to join... 


Wanting to share the love via a couple of great articles I have recently come across....


First Article:
Can raw foods aid breast cancer treatments and prevention? 


Be sure to read the part on wheat grass juice resulting in the 
REDUCTION OF NUMBER OF CHEMO DOSES REQUIRED,
while LOWERING MYELOTOXICITY LEVELS, all 
WITHOUT effecting the intended chemotherapy effect...

What a pure, simple, amazing and unadulterated GIFT we have right here at our fingertips!!


Check out this previous post for more on wheatgrass and all its benefits:
http://wholelottaliving.blogspot.com/2011/11/wonder-grass.html


Second Article:

I Will Not Be Pinkwashed: Komen's Race is for Money, Not the Cure

In case you wonder why you've never seen pink ribbons on the site,
here is an article that is RIGHT ON regarding the pink ribbon campaign... 
Remember, the awareness is THERE... its time for ACTION!!  And action via PREVENTION begins with US!!  


Its going to be a beautiful day!  Enjoy every bit of it!!!
Lots of LOVE, Angela




Friday, February 10, 2012

Yoga Buzz

Down-dog is for babes too!!

If you heart any of the following:
  • YOGA
  • NPR
  • Connecting deeper with mind, body and spirit
then you gotta check this out.


Terry Gross, the host of National Public Radio's Fresh Air, interviews a science journalist on some recent yoga discoveries.


It's pretty intriguing stuff...  


Whether you are a yoga newbie or have been hooked for years, this is sure to cultivate an even deeper appreciation for your practice.


Cheers and Enjoy!! 

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/07/146463156/the-risks-and-rewards-of-practicing-yoga

(click on "Listen to the Story" at the top of the page)

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Healing Hummus



What’s a plant-based diet without good hummus?

It’s definitely a go-to food around here...

What’s not to love about it? 

It’s a great protein-rich way to get lots of raw veg into my family’s belly.  Its hubby and toddler approved, great for company, and so versatile it never gets old…….check out the ideas below.

Jo counting apples while I was dishing up her hummus

Conventional hummus is already pretty healthy, right?

What can make it healing??

In the past I would make hummus with canned chickpeas. It's hard to find BPA-free chickpeas for a good price, especially without tons of added salt.

So we switched to bags of dried chickpeas (organic when possible).  Not only are they easier to store and better for you, they are much cheaper than cans.

And since tahini  is made with roasted sesame seeds, it will never have the enzymes present in raw or sprouted seeds.  So we traded in tahini for raw organic seeds, soaked and then sprouted.

What makes this hummus healing is that it is ALIVE.  The seed enzymes are LIVING... they have been activated via the sprouting process, making it super easy for the body to digest and absorb.

Its good to give our bodies a rest so that our enzymes can go toward other vital processes... like detoxing our cells from the day.

And the result is still a fabulous and flavorful hummus, but loaded with tons of enzymes and amino acids

In fact when hummus is made with a variety of sprouted seeds such as sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin, it becomes a complete protein.  Because of the amped-up amino acid profile, it’s also more filling and satisfying than traditional hummus. 

Here’s how to do it:

First, make your chickpeas.

1)  Soak two bags of garbanzo beans aka chickpeas in filtered water for a minimum of 6 hours, no more than 24 hrs…. I usually soak overnight and cook whenever possible the following day. 

2)  Cook the beans.  To do this, drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas.  Put in a deep saucepan, preferably a cast iron dutch oven for best flavor.  Bring to a boil, and then simmer on low till the beans are nice and soft, usually for 2 hours or so.  Simmer with several cloves of fresh chopped garlic and mineral salt (like himalayan or celtic) to taste. 

Not only does cast iron make the food taste awesome, cooking in cast iron is a great dietary source of iron .


3)  Cool and store the garbanzo beans with some of the broth as well.  Store in glass containers to avoid plastics from leeching into your food.  I like to freeze two containers of beans for future use.  I leave one in the fridge for the following weeks hummus or chickpea dishes. 

Pyrex and Anchor make great glass storage containers.

Then, sprout your seeds.

A day prior to making your hummus, soak your raw sesame, sunflower or pumpkin seeds (or combination of) for 6-12 hours in filtered water.  Drain the water, cover and allow to sit at room temperature for a day or so to allow the seeds to germinate, spraying 3 or 4 times with water.  Just as little tails begin to poke off of the seed, toss in the fridge until you are ready to use. 

Note: When you soak, sprout and germinate a seed, the enzyme inhibitors are released, making them easier to digest by our bodies.  They also provide energy in a super efficient manner, are high in B vitamins, and are loaded with enzymes which are needed by every cell in our body to do work.

                Cooked Food= no enzymes

                Raw Food= some enzymes

                Fermented and Sprouted Foods= MOST enzymes!!

Now you are ready to make your basic hummus.

Here's what you'll need:


  • 4 cups chickpeas with fluid 
  • cup extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil
  • 1 cup sprouted seeds (sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds all work great)
  • 2-3 tbsp lemon (juice from half a lemon)
  • 3-6 cloves garlic (based on preference)
  • mineral salt to taste 
  • smoked paprika or sumac 



Gradually add the first five ingredients to a blender or food processor.  Blend accordingly.  Garnish with a dusting of paprika or sumac.  

Serve and Enjoy!

Hummus bottom right (made with channa beans vs. garbanzo beans and sprouted pumpkin seeds).  Served with homemade almond cheese, sweet bell peppers, broccoli, cucumbers, red cabbage, avocado, clover sprouts, sprouted sunflower greens, sprouted lentils, carrots and heirloom tomato.
I find the taste gets even better after a day or so in the fridge, after the flavors mingle a bit...

There are tons of uses for hummus.  Here are a few of our favorites:
  • The obvious …easy dip for appetizers or snacks.. our favorites: sweet bell peppers, blanched asparagus, raw yams, strawberries
  • With fresh herbs and diluted with olive oil, its a great dressing on small or big salads
  • As a spread on hot or cold sandwiches or wraps in place of mayo
  • Rolled up in olive leaves with rice and grilled veggies
  •  In an omelette with sautéed onions and red peppers
  • Wrapped in nori sheets stuffed with sprouts, avocado, cucumber, carrot, red pepper and tamari

      For some fun variations, here are some food combos to blend in with your basic hummus.

  •  Mexican- avocado, cilantro and cayenne
  • Italian- sundried tomatoes and basil
  • Greek- kalamata olives and artichoke hearts
  • Indian- carrots and cumin
  • Woodsy- pine nuts and parsley
  • Green hummus- spinach and rosemary
  • Black hummus- black beans and cumin
  • Red hummus- roasted red peppers or sundried tomatoes

Also, hummus is a clever way to hide pureed veggies like spinach, zucchini, squash, bell peppers or roasted garlic for any picky toddlers or anti-veg family members.

Kids and toddlers love to dip....and homemade hummus is definitely mama-approved.

How do you like your hummus?  

What other variations do you enjoy? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Whole Lotta Love and Living to you!