Energy Medicine - A Misnomer?

Someone mentioned recently that she had misgivings about anything with the name "Medicine" Medicine as we all know is a substance that is used to heal or prevent disease.

Why the name Energy Medicine? Is it a Misnomer? As far as my research has taken me in the domain of Energy Medicine, one does not have to take anything by mouth. There are no pills or syrups or even supplements promoted. It is encouraged in Energy Medicine to eat sensibly.

Energy Medicine is in the category of Alternative and Complementary Medicine but unlike some alternative medicine where certain nutritional supplements or herbs are emphasized, it is not so with Energy Medicine. So what is the Medicine part?
According to Donna Eden, Energy is the medicine. She adds that your body's energies are able to mobilize and respond to illness. In energy medicine, troubled energies are the Patient. To re-pattern these troubled energies is the Solution of Energy Medicine.

Agapelife/P Nicholas

Ref: Eden,Donna, Energy Medicine,2008

April Fool and laughter

Today is usually called April Fools Day! Traditionally, it has been when all sort of pranks have been tested out, usually to elicit laugh for the pranksters. Some people's emotions and egos will be bruised today. Does it have to be so? No!


This idea of laughing at another person's expense is alien to laughter therapy. In laughter therapy or laughter yoga, we LAUGH WITH others and NOT AT others.

Why don't you use this day as a day of laughter, laughing with others, doing fun and silly things. I am sure that many pranks performed today are considered silly. If we can do silly things to evoke laughter for ourselves at the expense of others, then WHY can we just laugh for no reason, even if it seem SILLY! Laughing for no reason is what laughter yoga is all about.

Agapelife / P Nicholas

Energy Medicine - Part 4

This is the last few days of the 7 day challenge.
K Fields of Articulates shares her experience below

"I have done quite wonderfully at it. I have kept my cool under the most extreme circumstances of when my mother who is undergoing some medical treatments was experiencing serious problems and when I first asked the MD assistant, about it I got a shoulder shrug... instead of getting upset, I took a deep breath, smiled and asked as nicely as I could if there was something I could do to help reliever her of the pain she was in... For some reason this seemed to sink into the MD that this was a serious problem and he became instantly helpful, and my mom is doing better now.. Thank-you! "
http://www.arcticulates.org/arcticulates.html

Please send in your comments!
Agapelife / P Nicholas

Energy Medicine 7 day Challenge - Part 3

Tomorrow will be the last day for the first round of this challenge. As expected, there were some difficult periods,yet what was surprising, there were no drop-outs.
So a big round of applause for the 5 participants.

These are their responses of their experiences.
Melinda stated that this challenge made her days happier and lighter and recommends it for everyone.
http://blog.melindaville.com

Lady H has this story to relate after 5 days into the Challenge! I have abbreviated it.

I was in the supermarket, with both of my children are sick may I add. There was an older couple just standing blocking the walk way. I kindly asked " excuse me can I get through" and they just stood there looking at me. At this point my daughter starts throwing up.
I was rushing to go to check out. I was furious. They were still standing there, Yes I was having what I call a mental moment. I wanted to just scream. My daughters and son are crying. Then I saw the older woman walk towards me, who said,
"Miss you are so blessed. My husband and I was looking at your kids and they are so beautiful. How old are you." I am in my early-mid 20s. " she replied, " Well if you don't know, you are so blessed to have such beautiful children, we never had kids and we love looking at children."
I almost cried, but instead I smiled and said, " Thank you," That was moment I realized, this challenge can affect you in so many ways. When you try to surround your self with positive energy you can always change the outcome."
http://www.zazzle.com/ladyhatch

This is from HelloAnnie,
http://www.childhoodspeech.com
"I told my family to laugh in the morning and my daughter rolled on the floor with laughing each morning."

I hope that all the participants continue these exercises. If it worked to elevate your mood and your day, why stop? Keep it going...
Some of you indicated that you want to take this challenge - Welcome, tomorrow is a good day as any. Look at all the comments in the two previous posts to get more tips from the participants.

Energy Medicine - 7 Day Challenge -Part 2

Several blogger and readers have decided to take up this challenge. I applaud you for your courage! Definitely, courage is essential in taking up this challenge!

After reading some of the comments from the participants, for" 5 minute Laughing in the Bathroom seem difficult for some as they felt their family or neighbors would think they were crazy. Yes, that is likely - generally, people think you have to laugh for some reason or else something is wrong with your mental faculties. Yet, I have worked in psychiatric facilities, and hardly heard any laughter there!

First to clarify - 1. After about a minute or so of laughing, PLEASE take one or two deep breaths, which is breathing in, through the nose with your mouth shut, and breathing out through your mouth as if slowly blowing out a candle. So in 5 minutes, there should be about 5 to 10 breaths in between the laughing.

2. Let your family or neighbours know why you are laughing and get them to join. If that is out of the question, then break up your laughing into segments. Like Columbia asked, Yes 3 minutes would be sufficient for the bathroom, however, do 2 minutes in the bedroom while dressing or go on the phone / cellphone and pretend you are talking to your friend who is making you laugh. Don't forget to breathe every minute or so, so it looks like you are listening.

3, You could also continue the laughing in your ride to work, waiting for the bus, in the bus or subway, with the cell-phone close to your ear. You can laugh in the car. Be creative and make the laughter as natural as possible. The first few times, you WILL Feel as if you're faking it. Just see what happens after a couple of days.

4. Let the 5 minutes in the morning only be the start of the rest of day, If you can have 5 minutes in the middle of the day and 5minutes during the journey home from work and 5 minutes in the night, notice the difference in your emotions and attitudes.

5. These tips was given by Richard Schooping "Create daily reminders of awareness through computer reminders, hourly phone alarms, etc," ..."the most important "step" is to create quiet time daily for stillness so that all aforementioned steps will have the soil of silence to flower." Thanks Richard.

6. JOT down your emotions, your well-being each day in your calendar or day agenda, so that you can compare it on the SEVENTH day.

The video above is to help you to laugh and just go to You-Tube to see more of these laughter videos - and YES that was several belly laughs!

For some of you, the first day is gone - so please let me know how it went and if you need any assurances, support, etc.. If you have issues, I will e-mail you, you could put your e-mail in comment, marked confidential and it will not be published.

Just received news flash from Melinda - she states " it is good and fun" Yes Fun it should be if not these first days, then in the next couple of days. If you're not having fun, let me know, I'll show you how you can make this 7 day Challenge - a Fun Filled experience.

Rooting for your success!
Agapelife / P Nicholas

Energy Medicine - 7 Day Challenge

What's there to be positive about will be your question??? The Recession? Job cuts? Rising debts? The list goes on and on? I hear you? I have been there and I have not completely risen above it. However if you don't want all the above to lead you to serious illnesses, then you have to find things to be positive about? How can you do that?? Impossible? No, I've tried it and so have others and it Definitely elevated my mood and outlook.


Well there are 7 ways I've found to help you bring good things your way!
Take this challenge for 7 days by doing these Seven activities daily. Are you Ready to take this 7 day challenge???


1. Be thankful for what you DO have! You have a roof over your head. You do have some good health, a good bed to sleep on, Your intelligence! What about family and friends?
I find it good to give thanks in the morning when I awake.

2. Make a funny face in front of the washroom mirror and laugh for about 5 minutes, while doing your bathroom routine, after that, take 3 long slow deep breaths. You could continue laughing while you're doing your bathroom routine. Caution - don't laugh while shaving, guys! You can smile.

3.Cut back your intake of negative news from newspapers, radio,television or the Internet.You are protesting,"I want to be current on the news". You will not miss much - "Bad" news travel fast". Put on some lively or soothing music according to your preferences.

4. Look for the good news! They travel slowly. Also look for the good things you see around you on the street, at work and at home and smile. Spend at least one hour quality time with yourself or your family. Accentuate the positive.

5. Find positive things to say at work or home. Tactfully change the subject if negative ones crop up in your conversations and discussions. Accentuate the Positive.


6. Watch comedies or funny shows on TV or at the movies! Invest in a book of jokes.
Read a couple of pages a day. Cut out "Funny Pictures or Cartoons"
Stick them on areas like your work station, fridge, TV, to remind you to smile.
Brisk exercise for 20 minutes or laughing exercises for 20 minutes.
Laughing for 20 minutes including belly laughs is equivalent to an hour's jog.

7. In the evening, give thanks for your day and look forward to the next one.

The first couple of days will be very challenging, I promise, you should enlist support from a couple of friends or family members. If you did not complete the Seven instructions the first or second day, don't be discourage, just continue with the 7 day challenge. If you have more than this seven to make you feel positive, then use them. Also remember, you could write on my comments for help and support and I will reply privately if you wish.

I do want to hear from as many of you on this 7 day challenge which will begin this Friday. However, you may start it any day for 7 days. I am rooting for you!

Agapelife / P.Nicholas

Laughter Therapy 3

"This person arrived at the laughter club. She did not make eye-contact, looked downcast,anxious with her head looking down. A few minutes into the laughter session, she started to make eye contact, cautiously smile, then laughed. At the end of the session, she told the class, she had lung cancer and forced herself to come to the laughter class in an attempt to elevate her mood and now she felt relaxed and even joyful." ( quote from Sophie, leader of Laughter club)

The above was from an interview with Sophie T, leader of the Sunflower Laughter Club in Ottawa. Another story that Sophie shared was about a person who had not smiled for 2 years and was suicidal. After a visit to the laughter club, he laughed which gave him hope to continue his treatment.

These are not isolated incidents. There are other testimonies that you will find on Sophie's website as well as the website of Laughter Club International. Please see the links given at the end of this article. So who attends the laughter clubs? According to Sophie, they are divided into two groups 1. Those who want to prevent stress related diseases 2. Those who have heard about the benefits of laughter and curious to see if it works for them!

Research studies both done in 2007, one in India and the other in the USA both show that laughter decreased blood pressure and all the other benefits mentioned in Laughter Therapy - 2. The link below will show some amazing testimonials of people who gave laughter a chance to work on them. You will also read details of the studies done in 2007.

In Dr. Kateria's words, an " happiness cocktail" is produced in the body during laughter and you can have as much of this cocktail without a hangover effect the next morning. So what are you waiting for??? Make yourself the happiness cocktail!

My appreciation to Sophie Terrase and Dr Kateria's website as well as my friends at the laughter club!

http://www.laughteryoga.org/
Agapelife/P.Nicholas

Laughter Therapy 2

" Laughter Clubs - silly" " Laughter - scary" These are two of the comments I received from a blogger forum. Why is it that people are not scared to show anger, hate or sorrow but when it comes to laughter, it scares them, or when seeing a group of people laughing, it seems silly??

Silly or not, this article will demonstrate the benefits of daily laughter to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. This is especially important in this time of recession and cutbacks of every kind, no one can take laughter away from you except yourself. Here's a video from Oprah - sending her hairdresser to check out a laughter club.



Dr. M. Kateria stated that laughing releases certain hormones and neuropeptides which he calls the happiness cocktail into our bodies. This happy cocktail reduces 1.stress, 2.pain,3. boost our immune system and 4.improves circulation, which all improves your Energy. Laughing also increases the levels of immunoglobin A(1gA) which fights against viral infections like cough and colds. Laughter has shown to decrease high blood pressure, arthritis. It also works for diabetes and cancers.
A few minutes of hearty laughter is equivalent to 10 minutes of jogging.

Your body and mind absorbs laughter to produce and/or maintain overall health. You will not starve your body from food or drink, even for a day, so why should you, starve it from laughter?? What do you think? Send me your comments.

Agapelife/P.Nicholas

Laughter Therapy 1

My name is Sophie.... HaHaHaHeeHeee, she continues laughing for a half a minute, then she looks at B who states her name, starts to laugh, and Sophie laughs with her and so does everyone else.
This how we introduce ourselves in the Laughter yoga club.

Sophie is the leader of this club. Earlier, before we started, she told us the history of laughter clubs and its founder Dr Kateria who began laughter clubs a decade ago. Sylvie was taught by Dr. Kateria. She then gave us some brief instructions and told us not to be concerned if at first, we seem to be faking the laugh. She also told us that we would not speak during the session, we would be communicating with eye contact and basically follow her actions. She emphasized that we must laugh with the other and not laugh at the other.

It was my second visit to this laughter club which was named Sunflower Club. Sophie had an assortment of bright funny looking headbands and hats, that we could put on by choice. There were about 15 of us and for some it was a first time visit.

For about 40 minutes, the leader did some actions,with laughter and we followed. Each laughing action which lasted about 5 minutes was followed by deep breathing or yogic breathing. Since we were in the couple of weeks of the New Year, many of the laughing actions revolved around celebrating the New Year, like dancing and toasting to the New Year. Ten minutes into the laughter exercises, I noticed that many were already getting belly laughs. People who looked anxious and reticent about smiling at the beginning of the session, were now looking relaxed, happy and smiling at one another. Did I mention that the majority of the group did not know each other before the laughter session.

The last part of the laughter session,included a group exercise, transmitting our laughter to anyone we knew who most needed it. Then we had a quiet few minutes of relaxation to music, then, sharing our experience verbally, about what we felt or received from the session - the only time we talked. Everyone was smiling and everyone stated how relaxed and happy they felt.

Have you been to a laughter club? Would you like to be in one? If you have any questions, please send them via the comments. Next week, we will continue with this theme.

Energy Medicine:-To Diet or Not To Diet in a nutshell!

In this age of instant results
Popular are weight loss gurus
promising weight loss in a few days, a week, or a month.
Buyer Beware! It is not a one size fit all deal!
Where has the common sense gone?

As diet industry flourishes,
Consumers' weight increases.
As your pocket empties with the latest diet plan
Your weight increases albeit a small decrease.
How long have you been doing this?
Many,Many times is your response?
Up and down, Up and down!
YO-YO dieting is the name
O so harmful to your health!

Why do you want to lose weight?
Is it to look like this model or that celebrity?
Is your lover asking you to lose weight?
Do you feel you will be acceptable in your social
circle if you were twiggy?

If you want a healthy weight and keep it,
Do it for the Love of you, for your Self-Esteem.
Then ask yourself if you are prepared,
To go deep to find out when, how and why
Your weight increased in the first place?
Are you an emotional eater?
Do you eat when stressed out?
Is your social life closely connected with food?

There are resources a plenty
All free and well researched.
Weight loss is possible if your
intake is less - 4 daily meals, no less.
A sustainable, tasty diet;
Kick out the empty calories which is fatigues,
Then follow up by simple exercises.
Change your social activities to other than
Restaurant hopping and potlucks.

Before you do the eating, delete harmful
habits surrounding meals.
Install new, healthy habits around food,
get mentoring from experienced,
non-judgemental coaches, be it friend
or professionals.

Energy Medicine,Laughter Therapy
and emotional freedom technique
have all been successful in
weight loss and maintaining
healthy weight. Why? - Perhaps
they go deep to find the root of
the problem with
individualized solutions.
Not an instant remedy but an enduring one.
The weight you lose will stay lost.
Isn't that what you want!

So let me boldly say,
It's not dieting you need
but a healthy eating lifestyle!
You will then shed the harmful weight
which will never return.
Agapelife
copyright/P Nicholas

Energy Medicine: -Sustainable Diet and Energy Medicine

Sustainable Diet

If you look at the mirror and see those 'love handles' and bulges of excess weight, especially in the abdominal area, how long did that take to accumulate? Surely, not a month or a few months or even a year. So what makes you think that you could lose all that weight in a month, 3 months or a year? Probably, it was those incredible, advertisements and weight loss articles that convinced you. So you rush to buy the book, the products, sign for the weight loss program - Oh Yes, you did lose a few pounds but you could not keep up with that program for long and you hungered for those foods you missed. Now you have put on more weight than you lost or your health has suffered.You are frustrated and upset.

As we have seen and heard in earlier posts, the popular diets don't work as they are not sustainable. Some of them can be even dangerous for your health. So is there a diet that is Sustainable? Yes there is. There is One for each of you according to your tastes, likes and dislikes. Are you prepared for this! - You have to plan this yourself and there is plenty of free resources out there to help you.

Are you willing to invest your effort and time to lose excess weight permanently. The dividends are self-esteem, health, energy. It is cost-effective as your medical bills will be rare.

Some Tips
1.Follow a Guide of the basic food groups - USDA Food Guide (www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter3.htm)
For Canadians this is the link. ( www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics)

2. Compute your BMI or Body Mass Index here - (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/control.htm )
They also tell you in the above link how to lose unwanted weight in the healthy way, gives recipes and serving portions as well as other pertinent information.

3. Change your behaviors and habits related to eating and foods. It is easy to tell you to make some lifestyle changes but old habits are hard to break. You need support and guidance on this if you want to keep your weight off. EFT (emotional freedom techniques) has been helpful to some in this area. Energy Medicine helps in changing certain old patterns and behaviors.

4. Weight loss goals should be 1.Realistic, 2.Specific, 3.Measurable,4. Attainable which means you take small steps to to reach your main goal. Example: You need to lose 50lbs, break it down to 4 lbs a month, then, reassess - if that is accomplished, give yourself another goal for the next month. If you lost only 2.5 lbs, give yourself a non-food treat and set the next month's goal at 3 lbs.

5.Three main meals with one or two snacks so that you do not leave your stomach empty for more than 4 hours. If you are on a 1600 calorie diet, each of the 4 meals should not be more than 400 calories and for a 2000 calorie diet, each meal should not exceed 500 calories. Do Not Skip any Meal. It is when you skip meals that you tend to overeat and indulge in second servings.

6.Read labels and be aware that "Light" does not always mean less calories. Neither does "low fat" mean you can have double the portion.

6.Drink 8 or more glasses of water and sip fluids during the day. Avoid sodas and pops. Limit your coffee and tea except for limited amounts of green tea. I've found tea and coffee to be appetite boosters.

7.Your weight loss program has to be accompanied by some activity, even stretches help. Do a fun activity several times a week,like swimming, dancing or hiking.

8.Stock your fridge and pantry with low calorie snack foods, like fruits, cucumbers, carrots and celery. Having a 1/2 cup (4oz) low fat yogurt for a snack with a medium apple is an excellent choice.

9.Enlist the support of family and friends or a weight loss group in healthy eating and exercise. Perhaps start one yourself.

10. Find other ways to boost yourself when you feel down or tired or sad, instead of eating to take your "blues" away.

Energy Medicine and Laughter therapy has contributed to some people's weight loss. Certain activities and exercises in Energy Medicine balances the Digestive System which reduces food cravings and boost the assimilation of foods, optimally. This therapy is individualized and an assessment is done to see which area of the body needs the balancing. Recently, I met a lady, who lost weight doing qigong exercises daily for about 3 months.

Laughter therapy is compared to internal jogging. So laughing 20 minutes or more daily will burn some calories. Is that not enough reason to Laugh? HaHaHa HoHoHo.You do not have to watch a comedy to laugh.
Join a laughter club or have a laughter buddy. Laugh your way to sustainable weight loss and health. Check my former post on the effects of laughter
empower-you.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-does-laughter-do-to-your-body.html

If you are wondering why I have not continued with Myths about Diets, there is a good reason. A fellow blogger, Cassandra is doing an excellent,detailed job with more than one post dedicated to it on the link given below. Thanks Cassandra.
www.trimnasium.com/?p=144

Next week will be the conclusion of this topic. All comments and questions are welcomed and if you wish a private answer, please include your e-mail.

Energy Medicine: Dieting - Who do you diet for and Why?

As you have seen from the statistics in last week's post, all the various diets on the market have not decreased the number of overweight people in the USA or Canada.

Did you know that 98% of dieters regain their weight after a few months of completing their diet regime. So only 2% of dieters do not regain? Could it be that this 2% have a strong motivation to maintain their reduced weight? Or could it be that these 2% have found a sustainable diet?

Who do you diet for or Why do you diet?
Is it to fit into a certain outfit like your wedding gown? Is someone you love pressuring you to lose weight? Do you want to look like the next top model or your favorite celebrity? Did you take a bet with your colleagues that you were going to lose ? amount of weight? Or was there a weight loss competition in your office with some nifty prizes?

Well folks, if you answered Yes to any of the above, you will not sustain the weight loss, no matter what diet you are on.
The weight loss should be for You so that You will have health and vitality. Having a healthy weight does not mean being a Twiggy. Curves are fine as long as you are within the weight range in the charts for your age and height. Do you that being pear shaped is not risky to you health as being apple shaped,ie having excess weight on your stomach and abdomen.

In a recent blogger forum, I asked members,if they are dieting or have been on a diet and more than 60% had been on a weight loss diet at one time. Did they stick to the diet? No! The longest time to stick with a diet, from the responses was a 9 month period, after which she indulges high caloric foods of the festive season.
Then she returns to a weight loss diet for another 9 months. Many people especially women seem to be on a yo-yo dieting plan which is very confusing to your body.

I remember going on a weight watcher diet a very long time ago to lose 20 lbs and stopped it once I lost 10lbs. as the weight plateaued and I could not find the time to visit the office for a weigh-in. The majority of the diets fail for the following reasons. Finally with increased activity and watching what I ate, I did lose the remaining weight.

For some being on a diet is not an option, if they have diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and high blood pressure. People who are on certain medications which has the capacity to increase weight have to watch their calorie intake and exercise more.

I studied nutrition at nursing college where I learned about the 3 food groups - Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats and the serving portions of each according to the Canada Food Guide. At university I took courses on nutrition, while working in the stroke rehabilitation ward. Patients were on diabetic diets or salt-free diets and other diets pertaining to their disease condition. The hospital dietetic unit prepared all the portions of food working on the menus, I went through, with the patients. Patients did not have second helpings or have huge plates but they did have 3 portioned meals and two snacks.

I knew that they would be discharged from the hospital with the same diet restrictions. They or their family usually follow it as they did not want a relapse or a return trip to the emergency department.

So forget about YoYo Dieting and stick to one that is sustainable and you will lose the weight.

Next week - A Sustainable Diet with the help of Energy Medicine!
Agape
copyright/P Nicholas

Energy Medicine:-To Diet or Not to Diet?

Introduction
When Shakespeare wrote his famous phrase, " To Be or Not to Be", there was definitely no obsession about diets then as there is today. For the past three decades or more the diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Just check the Web or your local bookstores.

There are books on many different diets written either by the successful dieter or a diet guru or a celebrity. Pictures of these authors are very attractive and slim. Why is there so much hype about dieting?? Is it about vanity or looking attractive! Is it about being healthy? For the latter let me quote you some statistics from Canada and the USA.

133.6 million,(66%) of American adults are overweight.
76% increase since 1990 of Diabetes Type 2 (associated with overweight) in adults 30years to 40 years of age.(2004) *

60% of Canadian adults are overweight.**(2004)

There are statistics of other health risks due to overweight which space does not permit here.
Incidentally, since there are so many weight loss diets for over three decades, why are the overweight numbers on the increase?? People have definitely spend money following some of these diets! Some have lost weight! The question is - Why did they not maintain the weight loss??

Diet usually is one of the resolutions many people make when the New Year approaches. Since we are still in January, the intent of the next few posts is to clarify the Facts and Myths of Diets? How effective are diets? How costly to your budget and your health? Who or What are you dieting for and Why?

The final part will be my humble, commonsense opinion of the Best diet with quotes by other medical and nutritional authorities on the subject, who are not trying to sell you products or books. When you have a healthy weight, you will have energy that is healing and vibrant. My hope is that by the end of this series, you will opt for a healthy lifestyle which is cost-effective and fun! This series is just an encapsulation of what will be in an upcoming book.
Agapelife

*- wt.control inform.network (NIDDK)
** Statistics Canada

copyright/ P Nicholas

May 2009 be filled with Energy and Laughter!

I hope you all had a wonderful time. Wonderful does not mean that you have to suffer side-effects of weight gain and others associated with having "a good time"!

I had a wonderful time and even lost a couple of pounds. Did you know that laughing and singing can cause weight loss. The same goes for some of the energy medicine exercises that I do.

I noticed this advertisement on the internet on Flat Belly Diet and as I read about it, I had an idea to write about diets. So the next post will focus diets. Do diets give you energy? Is there an effective diet? Are there healthy diets. Would like to hear from you. Which diet work for you and which did not? My next post will be around the last week of January.

My prayer and wish for all my readers is that this year of 2009 be one filled with energy, joy, harmony and health for each one of you.

Energy Medicine

When you think of Medicine, thoughts of pills,liquids, syrups,needles all come to your mind doesn't it? Well Energy Medicine has none of those. These past couple of weeks, I have been so immersed with the further study and practice of Energy Medicine, that time flew, so my blog writing was shelved for a while.

If you missed it, let me know. If If I don't hear from anyone, then my blogging will be reduced to once a month. This blog was created to help and guide people who needed knowledge, views on natural healing especially energy medicine, energy foods, etc. It involved much of my time to research and write these articles. Feedback has been scanty, even though I know, many do visit my site because of my tracker tool.

If I feel there are readers out there who want to know about what energy medicine and natural medicine is all about and give me suggestions or recommendations, I might go back to once a week postings. For now, I am teaching, as well as doing energy medicine therapies that I find very time consuming. My goal is to teach as many people as I possibly can how to have an healthy immune system and lifestyle. I DO not sell any herbal medications, drinks or capsules, although herbal health companies have approached me. There is a reason for this!

So it is up to you my readers to ask, if you want more? As for now, my postings will be once a month.
Agapelife

Energy:-Are all fruits and vegetables Healing to everyone?

It has been wonderful to explore the healing energy of fruits and vegetables? We were only covering a small piece of the wide array of nature's healing food. However, before you run to the Farmer's Market and fill your basket with the rainbow hue of fruits and vegetables, just read on.

Our body chemistry react differently to foods, including fruits and vegetables. Yes, some people do not digest certain fruits or vegetables and might even get an adverse reaction from them. One example is Bananas - some have allergies to this fruit. Some people who were born in temperate climates have allergies to tropical fruits like mango.

Another barrier to assimilate fruits and greens are certain diseases like Gastrointestinal, Crohns Disease, Kidney Disease and Diabetes. Perhaps seeing your MD if you have these conditions would be appropriate.
So always get a referral to a nutritionist or see a Natural Practitioner specializing in allergies. Energy testing of foods also is very helpful.

Another very important consideration is to wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly especially if you are eating them raw. Whenever possible, try to obtain organically grown produce. If the vegetables or fruits, have turned color or look wilted, it will not give you the healing energies. In that situation, it is better to get a frozen variety of the vegetable or berry as these are frozen at their freshest.

Canned vegetables are loaded with salt and canned fruits are loaded with sugar, so they are very poor alternatives. Proper packaging and storage is important to ensure freshness. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, do send it along.

Energy:- Why These Veggies are Important to Your Health?

The Beet Salad

While researching, I found so many vegetables that go beyond providing vitamins and roughage for our bodies. These vegetables actually have healing properties. Vegetables unlike fruits, do not quickly turn to simple sugars. They are complex carbohydrates, which means the body expends energy to digest them. Since I am not writing a book but an article, I have only taken some of the more popular vegetables, not only from the West but also from the East.

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bak choy all have a compound that removes aggressive estrogens in the body. The significance is that studies have shown that aggressive estrogens causes cancer, especially, breast, prostate, colon and lung cancers. Some studies have shown that these veggies strengthen your immune system.

Beets are excellent for anaemia, constipation and reducing obesity. Cucumbers decreases blood pressure, skin conditions and emphysema. Celery, too reduces blood pressure. However , it is not recommended eating celery before or right after vigorous exercises.

Chili peppers helps dissolve blood clots, open sinuses, acts as a decongestant and expectorant. It also speeds up metabolism which burns up calories. Chili peppers contains capsicum which is used as a topical drug to relieve pain.
Pumpkin has properties to prevent heart attack and cataracts.
Bitter Melon or Bitter Gourd

Bitter Melon or Bitter Gourd was long known in Asia for decreasing blood sugars and insulin levels, especially for people with Diabetes Type 2
Okra or Ladies Fingers, Gumbo (US), (Bendi in Malay) is another vegetable that stabilized blood sugars. Okra’s mucilage binds cholesterol and bilious acids, carrying the toxins and giving it easy passage out of the body. It acts like psyllium and flax but is much easier to swallow. Have you tried any of the gumbo dishes, like chicken or shrimp gumbo , they are delicious.

In South East Asia, mushrooms are considered a heart medication. Dried matake or shitake, when consumed regularly was shown in a study to decrease cholesterol levels by 7% to 12%. Dried mushrooms takes a longer time to prepare. Usually used in soups and flavorful.

Sea vegetables mostly in the form of seaweeds. A study showed very low breast cancer rates among women living of a Japanese island whose regular diet included kombu ( a seaweed), which is harvested there for domestic and world distribution. Sea weeds help with thyroid prevention and hypertension.

The recommended serving of vegetable in most food guides is 5 to 6 servings a day. So with your normal size dinner plate - half of the plate should be filled with vegetables, the other half divided into 2 with one side for your bread/rice/pasta and the other with your protein. In order to get the maximum effect of these vegetables, Do Not overcook them or deep fry them. If you need any simple recipes, please contact me.
Copyright/P Nicholas

Energy:-Healing Energy with Berries

There are so many different berries and many of them prefer the temperate climate. So when I was growing up in South East Asia, I only saw strawberries and the other berries in picture except for cherries, which were 1/2 the size than the ones found in the West. My grandmother had a cherry tree which attracted many birds.

Berries, like the ones we know of are botanically considered false berries. The real berries are grapes, currants and gooseberry.
Before we continue with berries or false berries,there are rambutans in South East Asia,which is a seasonal fruit found in South East Asia, very sweet with a texture like lycee. The roots,leaves and bark of the rambutan tree is used for wound healing and for eye infection. Here is what rambutans look like.
Rambutan :- Rambut means Hairy in Malay


Blueberry, Raspberry and Blackberry
There are about 200 species of berries in Canada, some are not edible and even poisonous. So be cautious when you are picking wild berries in the woods. There are some that might look like blueberries or red currants which are poisonous.
Blueberries have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Blueberries are also recommended to prevent macular degeneration and wrinkles. The wild blueberries are tinier than the cultivated ones. Saskatoon berries resemble blueberries.
Raspberry and blackberry also have anti-cancer properties according to the American Cancer Institute.


Wolfberry or Gogi berry
Gogi berry is getting a reputation as the anti-aging berry. It's or1gin is in the Himalayas and Tibet but as a fellow blogger, Dora (www.bricorefamily.com) tells me she has some growing on her farm in the US. Some effects of gogi berry which is full of minerals,protein and vitamins are the following -
1.calms nervousness and enhances memory
2.an anti-inflammatory
3.lowers blood pressure and keeps heart healthy,
4.Strengthens the immune system.
Apparently there is a Tibetan saying that eating gogi berries in the morning makes you happy the entire day. So daily dose of gogi will make you a smiling person. Gogi can be obtained dried in Health Food Stores and can be eaten with your breakfast cereal, or mixed with other dried fruits and nuts as a snack.
Gogi berries on the tree


There is also the acai berry which is native of the Amazon with healing properties and it is from type of palm plant.
These are only brief descriptions and if you wish to know more please contact me or leave a comment.
Agapelife
Ref: Canadian Encyclopedia
www.gogi.com

Energy:-Eating fruits with healing energy?

We all know that fruits are rich in Vitamin C. Well how many of you know that some fruits also have enzymes that helps digestion and others have been used to reduced inflammation, remove fatigue and Enhance Energy and since my practice is on Healing Energy these products from Mother Nature is so relevant. The following fruits for this week will be from Asian grown as that was where I first tasted these.There are some plants transplanted in Australia and Florida. Then following these, will be the berries, grown in North America and Europe.
The Papaya



Papaya has an enzyme Papain which aids digestion. In the east, people would eat part of a papaya for breakfast. In the west, health food stores sell papain supplements as a digestive aids. Fresh papaya can be found in chinese grocers as well as some supermarkets. I prefer the red fleshed papaya which comes from South America. It is sweeter and juicier.

The Mangosteen
The next fruit has been called the Queen of Fruits as Queen Victoria craved for it.
The Mangosteen is not from the mango family.



Only the white pulp is eaten. The attractive fibrous skin is used for dyes.
Mangosteen has anti-inflammatory properties. In the Caribbean, a tea is made from this plant which is supposed to give Energy and remove fatigue. In Brazil the tea is used as a digestive aid. This is a" melt in your mouth" type of fruit, sweet and a little tangy.
Agapelife

Qigong:- Qigong Congress Conclusion

A month ago, we started this topic, following the World Qigong Congress 08. that we attended in San Francisco. So we highlighted different facets of the Congress for our postings and included a couple of videos and pictures.

We started off with the positive and illuminating atmosphere of the Congress which was followed by a description of a new invention called the Energy Enhancement System or EESystem. A video of the inventor of the System, Dr. Sandra Rose Michael followed next, then a video of Dr. Gregory Gerber, the medical director of the EESystem. Both these individuals tell you all you want to know about the EESystem.

Then, in Individual and Planetary Health, other presenters of the Congress were featured with their research work, as well as group meditation and exercis of the participants to promote planetary health.
Relaxing Energy showed how participants in the Congress, while highly energized, were also quite relaxed. So how could energy be congruent with relaxation? Healing energy sure is. I really hope you enjoyed these posts, as some of you have commented on.

There is so much more to write on Healing Energy. We are hoping for more comments and will respond. I would appreciate if you would let me know what aspects of this theme, you would like expanded or discussed more.

Next week, we will discuss some of the fruits and vegetables that produce
healing energy and are tasty!