Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Cycles of Health

In the beginning of all things - the enthusiasm is ever present.  Then reality sets in...

As much as I wanted blog - other things get in the way - some thing called life.  I have been working still as a full time IT consultant and helping a few folks as an ND and then found myself in need of help.

It has been a difficult road - though my physical health has been fantastic, I found deficiencies in my own mental and spiritual health; so much so, that I was in hole, with a rope to get out, but had no desire to leave.

It took a lot of support, faith and self acceptance to pull myself out. I am grateful to all who helped.  Now I am undertaking new journeys - and getting back on the track to a complete health picture.  A new website will be launched in December for Keiles Wellness Care and the blog will be interlinked with it.

I am enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition - Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach program http://www.integrativenutrition.com/ to complete end of next year (2012).  This additional education will further enhance the approaches, and nutraceutical/nutritional programs I will have to offer to support clients in their individual journeys towards better health.

I look forward to the added versatility and knowledge to share with you!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Time for a post - though long overdue

So since the middle of March - what has been happening up to now?

I went through a cleanse since I have worked myself into end of quarter cycle (mid-late April, July, etc) - and have helped four people through cleanses.  Each person had their own version of a cleanse. There were two basic formulas were used - Burroughs Master Cleanse formula Vibrant Cleanse (www.vibranthealth.us) and Vegan Protein Shake Biocleanse Plus (www.bio-genesis.com). When I did my cleanse I used Plant Fusion (www.plantfusion.us) since I did not have the Biocleanse Plus available at the time. 

Everybody had different goals - lose weight, remove toxins from skin, lower blood pressure, balance digestive system - and the detox cleanses do all of that and more.  In preparation for their diets post cleanse, I performed evaluations to determine what they should remove/test via an elimination diet.  In each case - we hit the culprits straight on for everyone.  Such a great feeling to help everyone out and set them on a path towards better health.

As part of the process - the cleanse would be repeated either quarterly - half yearly depending on how they feel. Also, a revisiting of the diet assessment and returning or new eliminations from diet will be addressed.

To spend more time on this topic specifically - a new blog has been created: DETOXIFICATION CYCLING & MAINTENANCE (detoxcycles.blogspot.com).  Here will be the new home focusing on this topic and the program.

So add that to you RSS link and keep an eye on both for more new and interesting topics!

New investigations and topics pending:
  • The results of a probiotic assessment and evaluation for  Theralac and Truflora
  • Reiki in the mix - everyone can benefit from it
  • Scientific assessment of energy/intention and healing - a multi-part thread
Until next time - yours in love, light and health!

Dr. K

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Finally done with the recovery from Surgery - but never will be 'done' healing

In November 2010, I had shoulder surgery for a large bone spur, calcified acromion-clavicular joint and a calcium deposit a bit larger than a Two Dollar Canadian Coin (aka Tooney).  The first question you may ask is why did a Naturopath do that?  Well - I see it this way - the amount of time spent altering my diet/applying homeopathy and oils in hopes that it will 'dissolve'/reduce the bone spur of over 5mm and 'decalcify' a joint was a potentially lost cause.  In this case - prevention would have been a better approach - but I did not KNOW I was genetically disposed to this condition.  Also, 20 + years of travel abuse/constant computer work AND a car accident wreaking havoc with my circulation/nerve conductivity in my neck sure did not help either.  So here I am with early onset of Osteoarthritis - in recovery.  I have even been off of nightshade plants for almost two years- reducing my exposure to the native alkaloid which are know for mimicing autoimmune inflammation.  So - even with all that - what else could there be done to 'feel better'.

So - you can have surgery - get a 'clean slate' and keep it that way OR you can be debilitated, not be able to work or cook or play guitar and take allopathic remedies and attempt to keep the pain down and kill your kidneys.  I would not say that was the easy way out - you have not known challenges until you have that brachial nerve block and lost complete mobility / movement of your arm.  I have a new found appreciation, respect and admiration for those who are permanently paralyzed just from that short period post surgery.  I also would not say that the recovery path did not have its challenges as well - especially when the law of constraints at work messes with your recovery plans (aka - you are the ONLY one who can do X and I am sorry I am messing with your recovery but you have to work 60 hours these weeks because everyone else is on vacation). 

Don't get me wrong - I did make sure to go to all my therapy sessions, and work my tail off - studying and working insane hours - because I am committed to getting done (and could be considered 'commitable' for that too).  I would be considered that obsessed with a client's health too if that it my primary project to be worked.  I believe in achieving results, and completing what I start - regardless of the lack of commitment of others - I guess it is the optimist in me, wanting to see things better on the other side.  Others would say I was 'obsessed'.  There is a fine line between ownership and obsession and I tend to cross it in the name of right and just, perhaps a bit more than I should. Then again, if I did not - it would not be me.

So that 2 week overload cost me about 5 weeks longer in Physical Therapy to make up for it.  Once I broke past the stickiness and added cervical decompression towards the end, I got better quicker.  I got off the Mobic early on and only twice mid way through did I take it for a day especially for Super Bowl preparations/cooking.  During the rest of the time, home exercise daily, round the clock ice packs, magnets and homeopathy/Helichrysum oil were utilized.  Note - every thing I just mentioned other than the ICE makes most orthopedists and doctors cringe. Sorry gents - but if it works or helps - why should it be wrong in your minds?  I even confirmed my 'diagnosis' with a Rheumatologist - whose exhaustive blood tests yielded 'nothing remarkable' except run of the mill Osteoarthritis from overuse and abuse.

I see the difference in approach to be complementary or even supplementary to the fine hard working efforts of my Physical Therapy Team.  The concept of Kinesiotape is about as 'Witch Doctor' to some as my magnets or oils - but has been known to work, be studied - just like the other modalities.  In fact I use that even more than my magnets and oils as well as in complement of them too; I will do a piece on Kinesiotape next Thursday :) after my 'Green piece'.

I am ramping down on my cervical decompression sessions too - so once done I will be in 'maintenance' and for the majority of folks that means stopping home exercises when the visits stop. I for one will not STOP my therapy.  One lesson that can be learned from early osteoarthritis is MOVEMENT IS THE KEY. Whether it is Thera-Bands (even though you are stronger), stretches or low poundage free weight - if the joint is moving and the blood/nerve signals are good then your health is too :)

It is time to get moving again :)  too much typing time :P

With the advent of Spring coming - more treadmill preparation for running and Wii Fit Plus for use is coming due.

Love and Light - Laura

The world is changing around us...time for Green !

Today the workers around the damaged power plants in Japan are being pulled off the location.  It is only a matter of time before more will be endangered from the modern energy methods of Nuclear power plants not being properly fortified - well - let me rephrase that - the plants were fortified to the best of their ability based on the knowledge and information provided and the costs able to be spent.  Now - Mother Nature threw that fastball which we could not resist to swing at - and we struck out.

I send Reiki to Japan every day since the catastrophe and I know it goes to someone somewhere and to the Earth.  It does not matter if my lineage is from the Master Usui or Ole Gabrielsen - I know I am doing a part to help.

We as 'adaptable' as we are - are still unprepared for life's unexpected changes.  Technology enables and disables us.  Even this blog - it is just me being able to say something to a wider audience I would say over and over again in person.  It is sharing of my words that can drive change too.

In advent of this massive radioactive 'ripple' not necessarily in RADs or contamination - and even though I am not near it even on the way end of the filter down from the ozone and atmospheric patterns - I am going to increase my cleanse schedule and shift my diet.  Change is upon us and the best way to deal with it is to embrace it and work with it - and everyone has their way that will work for them.

No extraneous toxins will be added to me - effective Monday 3/21 as the Spring Solstice is completed - I know I enter barbecue season and just the exposure to carcinogenic smoke alone is more than I should deal with, I am preparing with countermeasures :)  and preparing my family too.  My kids will be more apt to respond and participate - I will accept what ever my husband chooses to do or not do.  It will be a monthly short cleanse every month to compensate.

These changes though seemingly drastic are actually no different than what nature does to cleanse itself - rain, thunder, lightning, earthquakes...we forget we are on a 'living planet'. 

Now begins the period of Mindful action and every small action can yield great results...I pray for us all to remember and make small meaningful choices - they really do add up.

Ok - on a different slant - deciding what to write about on Thursday being St. Patrick's Day and all.  It just hit me - GREEN :)  The merits of Greens in the diet and the new discoveries about the wonder food - BROCCOLI !

Stay tuned - as we all would like to see the fortune as the end of the rainbow - especially if it is filled with love, hope and healing for Japan, the Middle East, our internal strife/civil wars in government around the country and the Earth as a whole.

Yes - Green is good - and on so many levels :)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Integrative Healthcare Symposium - A Summary and a caution!

The Summary

March 4-5, 2011 were spent immersed in a firestorm of knowledge and information to process.

That is putting it mildly - but the impact and the resultant actions being taken from what was absorbed from that firehose have shifted my path to health again.

Glass over plastic, nutraceutical dosing, leaning more and more to vegetarianism - and staying on the quarterly cleanse path versus shifting back to bi-annual/annual are just some of the major shifts.

Now I have a group of peers - who graduated with me - from the same course of studies - from the same perspectives on health and prevention - who I bonded with during those two days.  Together - we will stay connected and share our lessons so that everyone can benefit.

There were even one or two who I connect with on Facebook who I missed this year :(

However - the beauty of being somewhat local for my 'day job' allows me to actually schedule time to meet them in a less crowded and overwhelming environment like a conference.

The key take away from the symposium was - "You are not your genetics - but you shape them by your diet and environmental exposure" - true Darwinism.  I am living proof of the 'epigenetic' evolution taking place.  Looking at myself in 2007-2008 overwhelmed and stressed from work and schooling; in 2009 having the EUREKA moment and starting the change to now.  True net change was only 24 pounds since 2007 - but when I had spiked up in early 2009 - it is 33 pounds.  It looks like a lot more from what I have been told.  I even know the 8 pounds difference since the last time I wore a dress in May 2010 and it is quite substantial in the fit.

The Caution...

In the upcoming days post the horrific events of the 8.9 earthquake in Japan and its tsunami - and the spike in radiation exposure coming over in the next three weeks or so to my part of the states - all I can do it alert others to protect themselves.  A colleague of mine, thyroid cancer survivor, is starting to ramp up her vitamins, minerals and trace elements to keep her and her family protected.  I intend to do the same for my family.

Dr. Brownstein has excellent information to guide prevention in the case of the radiation spread.


Stay well and protected - everyone

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Too long since last post...

As with all things - time gets away from us...

There is no problem with that - as long as we remember to get back on the track and keep moving forward.

Since my last post - I have graduated and received my diploma as a Doctor of Naturopathy.  I commend my peers who worked dilgently and achieve their degrees as well.  There were a few hundred folks finishing up in the end of January and 5 of them are attending the Integrative Healthcare Symposium with me.

I have been in email/chat contact with them for months now and it will be great to meet them in person.

This time away has made me think about what I really want to say and do here in this blog.

So as I finish packing and preparing for the long train ride into NYC - I have these parting words until I write a review and summary of the Symposium.

"Wellness is the foundation for Knowledge and Compassion - from the state of balanced health I can share what I have learned with respect and grace.  Helping others to find health and maintain it through education is the way."

This is shaping up to be a very productive and adventurous year :)

Your in love, light and wellness

Dr. K

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Thursday Product Commentary - Magnetic Therapy: What is the real deal?

For most of the last 15 years, I have used magnetic therapy for wellness as well as acute conditions.  The products I have been using are manufactured by Nikken, Inc. Nikken is known as a network marketing company and I recently got back into being a distributor, more for my own benefit at this time; essentially, my husband's MAGSTEPS (original model with reflexology point) were worn to shreds.  Not bad for 15 years of abuse and effectiveness :)

I have experienced improvement in aches and pains and circulation as a benefit of using those magnetic insoles as well as the bracelet and Elasto Mag shoulder/neck wrap.  I personally use their far-infrared fabric comforter all year round.  I even have the two different size magnetic rollers for therapeutic use. I even sleep with a magnetic / ceramic core pillow as well.  Why - because they make me feel better and I DO know when I use them too much and switch off the pillow or the bracelet/wraps.  I even alternate my insole usage as well.

I have shared my experiences with others and have sold some product - but that is not my end goal.  I only recommend products which have benefited me personally or demonstrated benefit or improvement with others.  My end goal always has been and always will be the objective observation and documentation of product usage and if it works for someone (I always let them try it first - if possible) and they buy it - great; if they don't no big deal.

We have iron in our bloodstream and the magnet increases the blood flow by being present and attracting the 'iron' in the cells to the areas of application.  Note - this does not always work for everyone - but as per my objective analysis - more than 80% of the people who have experienced it - use it on an as-needed basis and of those 50% use them on a consistent basis.

Would I recommend magnetic therapy - YES; do I have things I can share so you can experience for yourself, YES.  Just drop me a line and ask for more information or check it out at http://www.nikken.com/product/technology/#advancedMagnetic

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday Commentary - Roles of ND's and MD's in New Jersey (and in General)

In preparation for opening my practice - I have gotten asked "Well, what does a Naturopath do?"

Good Question :)

Seriously - the role of a ND or Naturopathic Consultant (in New Jersey) is one of an educator and coach.  NDs are not recognized as anything more than a consultant as there is no NJ State board certification like for Physical Therapists or Medical Doctors or Chiropractors.  In the neighboring state of NY - they have an association and are self administering and managing their community of Naturopaths - and pushing for licensure.  Connecticut is a state where an ND is similar to a MD as long as they have gone to a MD style college. 

There is a National Governing body for Board Certification (ANCB) - as Certified Traditional Naturopath - which I intend to sit for later this year. Even the ND's who go to 4 year MD style school have some form of board certification (AANP) but theirs is more like a MD by its content and partially overlaps with my scope of work.

Bottom line difference between the two roles is the approach - Medical Doctors are reactive, treat symptoms, diagnose illness and prescribe medicine.  Naturopathic Doctors/Consultant are preventative, educators on the body and its systems on WHY certain symptoms can occur and work hard in coaching others toward health and on occasion they recommend protocols which have been documented to assist the body in achieving and maintaining health.

Where diets are concerned - medical doctors tell you to go on a diet or monitor your progress that they define for you.  Nutritionists educate in a similar fashion as Naturopaths, however Nutritionists do not focus on the herbal or homeopathic supporting protocols or 'therapies' which make diets easier to work through.

So - in a nutshell - what will I be doing?  I plan to educate and coach folks in the art and science of detoxification and cleansing for health, reviewing existing diets and exercise patterns to jointly craft successful eating and exercise strategies using what nature (and some science) provides for assistance and support (aromatherapy, magnetics, and homeopathy).

To quote my past life in dealing with Quality Certification when related to health - "SAY IT, DO IT, PROVE IT"
  • SAY you want to improve your health - daily
  • DO something positive for yourself for your health - because you want to do it
  • PROVE it to yourself through consistent behavior and sharing with others your success

Over the last two years - I have worked my health strategy plans around this motto: I said I wanted to change and make changes daily (as well as perform balancing and Reiki Maintenance daily as of the last year); I continue to do at least 4 things for myself for the betterment of my health daily - for ME; and lastly - my commitment shows in my own self improvement and genuine desire to help others achieve health too.

So - is there a place for ND's in the same world as MD's - sure; we are two sides of the same coin and should be acknowledged for the contributions we both make in the active and passive roles of client's lives.  If prevention became the norm then MD's would be just like ND's and then dis-ease is but an oddity versus a common day occurrence.

I am in negotiations for office space already - with two different places.  Once I have completed negotiation and am "open for business" - it will be posted here.

We are almost 'ready for primetime' now :)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

All that is left is my graduation date...

On Jan 31 - my final grades were posted for my degree.  I will be graduating with High Honors this month. Four and half years of part-time schooling and application of all the education, knowledge and wisdom I could garner from fellow students, naturopathic/medical doctors and instructors is finally able to surface. 

I may have been an amateur Homeopath since 1995, but now the application of Homeopathic protocols comes even more naturally to me than ever.  I rarely consume anything allopathic anymore on an exclusive basis.  When I have arthritis pain that is really bothering me - I will take that Mobic (a prescription NSAID) plus Gelsemium Sempervirens pellets, along with an aromatherapy oil blend of Helichrysum, Peppermint/Wintergreen and Lemon blend to knock it out faster.  If I catch the ache sooner - the Mobic just sits on the shelf.

I am looking forward to starting my part-time consulting in March post the Integrative Practitioner Conference in NYC.  My practice is not limited by geography, only by time and availability.  I still have a full time job, until I get too busy that I have to choose and that will be an easy decision to make.

My first promotion to the public to have them get to know about me is a donated effort to my Temple's Sisterhood Day of Re-Jew-Vination this weekend.  The theme is about Natural Health and Diet and I will be sharing about finding one's path to health.  I will be providing examples from cases I have worked with over the last two years (and specific examples from myself, of course) and providing a therapeutic Reiki session to the participants.  It should be an educational and relaxing afternoon.

So next step is graduation date and diploma receipt, then time to get the next big project going - helping others !

It is going to be a great year !

In light and in health - Namaste

Probiotics - Do they really help?

Sorry for the late post :(  This will be in time for two weeks later Thursday Commentary Post.

Probiotics - what can be said of them?

If you were ask anyone about them, what would they say?  The majority of folks only know of them from being added to foods outside of being present in yogurt and kefir (cultured dairy beverage).  Those who know about them through that connection know they are supposed to help with your digestion and help you be healthier.

Take the ads for Activia yogurt - additional strains of  'good bacteria' are added to help your digestion become regular.  That is just another way of saying your bowels move easier and more consistently.  In general, any discussion of that activity has been perceived as 'potty mouth' anyway.  Who can have a serious discussion about that ?

Probiotics do much more than regulate your colon - they are essential to your immunity, hence your health.

There is a great guide by Eamonn M. Quigley, MD - Probiotics: The key to Digestive Health (Health Point Press, 2009) which goes into lengthy detail about how the 'good bacteria' work in your intestines and the key two families of bacteria which do the most good:

Lactobacillus - casei, acidophilus are the most common seen and consumed
Bifidobacteria - lesser known but being added into foods

Studies of the colon have shown that 70% of the immune response is in the digestive tract (intestines). The colon has billions of intestina flora which facilitate the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from what we eat back into our bloodstream. It is a delicate balance, and as such, with digestive disorders or 'food allergies' - the balance and health of those colonies of flora are already unsteady. The Lactobacilus family has also been shown to stimulate immune cells to consume toxic materials, inhibit the pathogens activity, as well as regulate the pH in the colon.

What we eat, what medicines we consume in the name of "fixing" or "curing" - have a major impact on the intestines.  Some folks get yeast overgrowth from over consumption of Penicillin; or get the 'runs' during or after consumption of any antibiotics; this is due to intestinal flora imbalance.  The anti-biotics kill off good bacteria and bad in the body causing a mutiny in the plumbing.  The consumption of Probiotics during the treatment of antibiotics helps keep the flora balance in line.

There are two camps of protocols on the usage of Probiotics - "Less is More" and "The more, the merrier".  Both camps have valid points and successes.  My perspective - both protocols work; it is just one I see more for acute conditions versus maintenance of health.
  • "Less is More" is why take a multi-bacteria spectrum when one or two key families will keep everything in line.
  • "The more, the merrier" is a more than 6 different key strains bundled together for a broad approach to balancing the flora.
In the cases of antibiotic induced diarrhea - the "Less is more" has a great impact especially in the C.difficile imbalance and there are many studies that support this.  In the case of Candida overgrowth, specifically L.acidophilus produces hydrogen peroxide as part of its processing which specifically restricts the growth of C.albicans.

The multi-spectrum approach I have found to be beneficial as well.  During a cleanse, a wide spectrum version like PB8 or Jarrodophilus or Theralac - help the intesting move the toxins out of the body without disrupting the balance of flora.  Also - on those days you eat something that may not been cooked well or may have potential for food poisoning - consumption of one or two doses within an hour after significantly reduces the impact or potential for digestive/intestinal upset.

So - do they help? Absolutely - and which ever approach you use your body will reap the benefits.  I would be happy to discuss individual cases if needed.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Cleanse is over for this quarter

A five day cleanse for me is sufficient in my current state of health - so I am ramping back into my diet with lighter foods and my Plant Fusion protein shakes (http://www.plantfusion.us/).  Weight has stabilized at 138.4 and I am within 3 to 5 pounds of my goal weight.

Sunday starts the reintroduction of consistent exercise as I have been recovering from shoulder surgery and have reached a good level to be active again.  Exercise for me will consist of my Wii Fit Plus and going to Physical Therapy for another 4 weeks.

So far this year is starting off well.  When reviewing my cleansing/diet journal - this time last year I was 153 pounds. When I started my cleanse this year I was 143 - so 10 pounds down from last year and about 5.5 down in the cleanse.

Once I am where I want to be - I will cut back on the cleanses to twice a year.

More to come...

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thursday Product Commentary - Sketchers Shape-Ups and Tone Ups

This is the first of my weekly Product Commentaries.  If you have a specific product you want me to review - drop me a line at lrkeiles@gmail.com

Sketchers is now diversifying its line of Shape-Ups sneakers and has added Tone Ups.  I have been using my original Shape-Ups and the XF (Extended Fitness) versions for a year and 6 months respectively. http://www.skechers.com/women/styles/shape-ups

I bought them to evaluate and determine if they really work and not just because there is a health/fitness guru who said they do.  Remember I have to prove it to myself first...

Many people have asked me - do they work?  I say, for me - YES.  Have I recommended them - YES but with reservations.  Not every one follows the directions when getting them - you have to work your way into them - 20 minutes a day for a week.  Then you can start wearing them every day if you choose.  I had a girlfriend who went full on wearing them and got such wicked cramps in her calves and hamstrings she had to stop within 2 days of wearing them and work herself back into them, properly.

I have tracked my progress and improvement using the Wii Fit as my "tale of the tape".  I have always had posture and hip issues after my kids were born and when I had struggled with my weight.  Within 1 month of wearing the original model shoe - I had improved my center of gravity and weight distribution by 75% and corrected it within 4 months.  I no longer shift my balance to my left like always - I was even for the first time ever, and I was within the 'bulls-eye' of balance as well.  Could I still do the table tilt or hula hoop better than before - well, better - but I am still lack coordination for somethings - have to have something to improve.

Some people ask their doctor's if those shoes can help - that is a good approach to preparing for any exercise or health improvement.  For those with lower back/bulging disc issues - there are options in the Sketcher shoe line.  The ones with the reverse heel - Shape Ups and their associated versions - are tough to start off with.  Center of balance and gravity is challenging when your mid-back and lumbar have issues already and the shoes can exacerbate it in the SHORT TERM.  You start to tone not just the muscles in your legs but your core using these shoes and if you work up to wearing them full time - in 20 minute increments at a time - it is just like exercising :)

The Tone-Ups do not have such a drastic heel and look more like traditional work out shoes and that becomes an easier start to getting fit on a small scale.  Then you can work your way into Shape-Ups.

As for me - they are my shoes of choice and I even have a "work version" of the shoe so I can not be in sneakers all day long. Frankly for me now, working from home - there is nothing wrong with that either.

Next Thursday's Commentary: Probiotics - Do they really help?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Day 3 of cleanse in Winter time :)

One of the biggest issues with doing cleanses all year round is how do you deal with being cold.  Your body undergoes chemical changes, breaking the links to toxins, stripping of cellular and digestive debris and you get cold. Normally, folks who do cleanse annually do it in the Spring, when it starts to get warm so that the coldness of the body is not such an issue.  I do one of those too :)  You can also have sniffles and congestion, vicious headaches and feel exhausted.  A cleanse is time to take care of yourself, but more likely than not, you are doing it while working or being stressed to begin with.  So with that stated - one has to TRY and take it easy :)

Based on my current weigh in of 139 lbs - as long as I can keep myself around 133-135 consistently - I am good to go.  I normally do not "keep track" of weight - I keep track of how I fit in clothes.  I found that for standards in the "medical community" and keeping a professional perspective - it does not hurt to be within the 'range' based on my frame size.

The best way to see what your 'frame' size is to wrap your fingers of your dominant hand around your opposing wrist.  I am right-handed so I encircle my wrist using my thumb and fourth finger (ring finger).  If they touch, that is a medium frame; if I go past my fingers and overlap - that is a small frame and if I cannot reach then it is a large frame.

There are various sites available to calculate your 'ideal weight' based on frame size.  But to be realistic - the best health you can obtain is not inherently by you scale, it is by how YOU feel.  Your mind set is truly your frame of reference.  What you think about yourself IMPACTS your health - really.

So remember that one must appreciate and respect what you were given - it is your body to take care of - and no one else will do it for you.  You can have all the support, love and guidance in the world and that is a blessing in itself.  You look in the mirror and if you are happy, it shows; if you are stressed, it shows!

Today on day 3 of my cleanse I look in the mirror and thank my body for working with me through out all my stress of work and life, shoulder recovery and removing 3 months (and whatever is newly surfacing) of residual toxins.  I also vowed to my body, I would continue to take care and look after it and make smart health choices at least once a day. I know this is not my pre-marriage/kids body I am taking care of - but to be honest I feel I look better than when I was younger and that makes my day, every day.

I still have two more days of cleanse - shifting from the Burroughs Master Cleanse to Protein shake for two days and gracefully back into food.  Next week is RESTAURANT WEEK in NYC and I am stoked to make a trip in at least one day and attempt NOT to put all those toxins back on in one visit - I still have another 3 months before I do this again :)  If I do - at least I know they will come off again next quarter and I will be smiling no matter what.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Starting the New Year with my cleanse :)

Today is the first day of my cleanse for this year. Since May 2009 I have been doing cleanses quarterly.  My very first cleanse was 8 days and that jumpstarted my periodic removal and management of toxins from diet and everyday life.  There are those who feel doing a cleanse at least yearly is sufficient for them to help them maintain their health.  Those yearly cleanses can be fairly long in duration - 10 to 14 days.  Knowing what I had to do for 8 days - that is commitment!

I found that over the years of my diet, and my allergies and my health have fluctuated and with that invariably were toxins.  I believe in the "Last on - first off" philosophy of toxin removal in the body.  You can keep removing toxins annually, but even with diet modification and hidden toxins - there is some residual build up that can occur.  At least, it did with me.  Removing gluten from my diet, as stringent as I am, there is still the hidden glutens in everything.  It has taken me a year to become a rigourous reader and educator of gluten free - to the point of celiac.  I have not been diagnosed celiac - but I treat my diet as if I was.  So - those glutamates found in glutens and dairy were still finding their way into me. 

A cleanse quarterly is what I found to continue the toxin removal process on a more regular basis.  Think of beautiful piece of furniture that has been refinished multiple times.  Stripping wood for refinishing - really slowly you find out how many times this piece had been worked.  Each layer that came off - exposed more and more times it was "processed".  I see toxins in the body that way - each cleanse removes the most recent toxins and then "strips" a bit deeper to get more out.  There is a law of diminishing returns - which is a GOOD thing because at some point - there are very few stubborn, long standing layers that will break down and finally be released.  I am at that point now - my last 7-10 lbs.  I am in no rush to lose them and just have them come back.  I want the toxins done and gone for good - or at least until the next cleanse :)

So - Day 1 is almost in the books and I am feeling a bit hungrier than usual; it is winter and cleanses now can put more stress on as we are supposed to be "staying warm" versus removing our fat stores.  I am doing the Burroughs Master Cleanse available through powdered form http://www.vibranthealth.us/.  I used to do the squeezing lemon, cayenne, maple syrup and found I had some small inconsistencies with measurement and that would effect my outcome.  The 100% organic and controlled portioning of using Vibrant Cleanse makes the quality of my cleanse better and this process much easier to keep up.  I will do this for three days and move into a vegan protein shake cleanse (http://www.plantfusion.us/) for two to three days depending on how I feel before moving gently back into my normal diet. 

This cycle however I will be assessing dairy more stringently to see if it helps with my shoulder surgery recovery.  There has been more inflammation than I like - and sure it is MOST LIKELY due to my working on computers ALOT, but it could be diet related as well.  Stay tuned as we chronicle this cleanse and see my progress.

Initial weight 143 today - next weigh in Day 3.

Yours in light and vibrant health -

Laura

Sunday, January 2, 2011

How I got here ...

As a pending graduate of Clayton College of Natural Health, I am my own test case, my own example of how commitment and determination yield to success.  It was about this time, two years ago - Jan 2009, I was stressed out from work, attempting to keep up with my studies, and family commitments of the three men in my life - my husband and two boys.  I weighed at the top I had ever been - 172 pounds  - and was dealing with arthritis in my left shoulder.  Something had to give and I was hoping is was not me. 

Everything to me is a project, always has been. I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP #3921 out of over 360,000) through the Project Management Institute since 1995.  My present work is specifically software projects, solution implementation - but I have done many varied projects other than software and IT:
  • Residential and Commercial Construction
  • Land development and management
  • Legal Systems
  • Insurance Claims
  • Anti Money Laundering programs
  • Office Relocation/Build Outs/Space Planning
  • Pharmaceutical Drug/Therapy development/Clinical Trials
I even Project Managed my two pregnancies - and that was as challenging as putting in a corporate financial data warehouse I assure you!

As good as I was in my studies, I found application of all of the natural health knowledge challenging - all theory, all information but no practice. Two months later during one of the scheduled weekly seminar calls, I listened intently to one of our MD Professors talk about detoxification and cleansing each spring.  Pieces started to click, but it did not stick entirely.  As per the seminar, two additional books were recommended to help with the detoxification and cleansing process, both by Dr. Elson Haas - The New Detox Diet and The False Fat Diet. www.elsonhaas.com/books.html  After reading those two books, the assimilation of all I had learned at that time, flooded my brain and all I could think of what how to apply it in a repeatable, successful manner. 

Over the next month and half from that call, I designed the Detox Cycling and Maintenance Program and enlisted 3 friends to join me. At my one year anniversary of the program - I had lost 32 lbs in one year and have kept it off.  My three friends lost between 20-35 lbs as well.  I am presently adjusting the maintenance segments from what I have learned since and am fine tuning the cycling steps and will be ready to share this at the two year anniversary of my Eureka! May 23, 2011 it will be 'ready for primetime'.

In this program, each individual is given specific attention, just like one of my projects - detailed, supportive and goal oriented. Your success is my success and just like any successful project manager - we are in the background while the results are in the forefront for all to see!

If you want to try it now - email me and you will be one of the first to experience the improvements and simplicity introduced into the program.

Make 2011 the year you say "I want to be the next great project" - and make the change!

Welcome to the first step towards better health!

Today being the second day of the new year 2011 - one can think about last year's resolutions and plans waylaid from last year - and throw them away.  A new year, a new time and place and a new reason to make a change that will last.  Follow me and the journey past and present into wellness from the inside, out.

This blog is intended to introduce you to my upcoming wellness practice, the history of how I got here and how I currently help others in my student practitioner capacity.

Thank you for visiting and keep checking as I discuss relavent topics to diet, health, energy and healing.

Yours in health and wellness,

Laura Keiles, PMP