Going Down Swinging: A RSD/CRPS Blog

Do You Have to Struggle or Can You Learn Through Joy?

2012-02-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

RSD/CRPS has been my greatest burden but also my greatest gift because of the juicy life lessons I have learned through the daily struggles of living with, treating, and healing from a “progressive and incurable” neurological disease. Life’s most important lessons are often wrapped in the bow of difficult and trying circumstances, but does the universe have to present us with hardships for us to grow and develop? Or can we learn through joy and ease?

My personal opinion is that we can and should learn from joyous experiences just as much and as often as we learn from stress and strife, but we often don’t. Because of this, we are then presented with a painful experience because it is the pain that stretches us and brings us to our knees where the real work can be done. Oprah Winfrey so eloquently said that God speaks to us in whispers first. Believe me, God whispered, then He spoke, then He screamed, and then He hit me over the head with a neurological disease because I was too stubborn and unconscious to recognize that I was personally lacking and spiritually starving.

As I look back, I can remember all the little whispers, some loud and obvious and some more subtly spoken. VERY spiritual individuals were often put into my life. I’m talking so God-loving that it was almost all they spoke about. I now know it was God speaking to me through messengers that would come into my life just as quickly as they left, one after the other. My pain also started as a whisper, a nagging soreness in my shins, before it turned into the disabling symptoms I have today because of my own ignorance. I had PLENTY of moments to turn it around, but I chose not to because I didn’t know any better (or because I wasn’t spiritually mature enough to receive the lessons with grace that God was trying to give me).

Part of my spiritual practice today involves my conscious effort to learn through joy so that my future lessons can come in a much gentler manner. For example, I am soaking in all the lessons that I possibly can as I coach my 7th and 8th grade girl’s basketball team, an extremely joyous and personally rewarding experience. As I continue this practice, I try to let go of any fears that the future will be worse than the present, which is a very real concern when you are diagnosed with a disease that is labeled “progressive and incurable.” What we focus on we create, and I want to create a miraculous future absent of unnecessary pain and disease. I choose to believe that the universe is conspiring in my favor because my heart and mind are finally open to this principal.

Can you look back and recognize God whispering to you? Do you believe you can learn from joy?

Don't forget to check out my post on mindbodygreen.com!

Happy Healing!

My MindBodyGreen Post: 5 Tips to Unlearn & Liberate Yourself

2012-02-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! I am so honored to have one of my pieces on the MindBodyGreen website. Check it out here and below. If you like it, share it on facebook or twitter. Thanks for reading!

"5 Tips to Unlearn & Liberate Yourself

By Maria Mooney

Unlearning is the intentional letting go of what we have learned and the openness to explore our own personal truths and be liberated from our past conditionings. It is the taking of a confident step from the comfortable and known into the ultimately freeing uncomfortable and unknown. The goal is to move away from thoughts and beliefs centered in fear, scarcity, and lack and replace them with love and overflowing abundance. Conditioning is inevitable, but just because it is inevitable doesn’t mean we can’t challenge those belief systems and thought patterns and replace them with what seems more authentic to us as individuals.

Growing up, we are bombarded by messages from our parents, peers, the media, learning institutions, and religious institutions that we take on as our own truths when they are really someone else’s beliefs and not our own. For example, that God is a punishing, fear inducing God or that first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. Don’t let someone else dictate where or who you should or shouldn’t be in your life. Challenge your belief systems about yourself and your life, and decide what brings YOU joy and what is best for YOU. Following false truths that do not resonate with who you are, your authentic self, will eventually lead to feelings of emptiness and unhappiness as you continue to live a life that does not resemble your divine nature.

Right now, I live with my family while I continue to heal myself from a “progressive and incurable” neurological disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD/CRPS), with their help, guidance, and support, and I am ok with that. At just turning 27 years old, I’m not married, and I don’t see myself having children anytime soon. Instead, I completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work (MSW) and am holding onto the dream of continuing on for my Ph.D. when I am healthy enough to take on such a challenge.

I go against the grain of society and live an alternative lifestyle. I’m a single woman, a high raw vegan, an animal lover and advocate, a writer, a licensed social worker (LSW), and an intern at crazysexylife.com, a holistic healing and wellness playground founded by Kris Carr. For a 27 year old woman, society would not agree with some of my choices, but I am living out of authenticity, not out of other people’s expectations of me. Shake things up, and be a trailblazer! But most importantly, do what brings you joy.

Below are my five tips for “unlearning.”

1. Recognize the Need – Are you truly happy? Do you stay focused on the present moment or are you chained by the past and/or living in the future? Are your thoughts fear-based or love-based? Do you feel spiritually empty or full? Are you living for yourself or for others expectations of you? Examine all areas of your life and recognize the need for change where it exists. Your willingness to recognize what is not working in your life and your readiness for change will determine your success.

2. Live in the Now – The present moment is not a means to get to the future. If you think of it that way, you will be and remain perpetually unfulfilled. If the past is over and the future doesn’t exist, you are a beautiful blank slate existing in this present moment free of past conditionings, false belief systems, and future fears.

3. Let Go of Your Ego – You know ego—that little voice inside of you that judges (you and others), fears the unknown, is attached to the material world, and desires to control every little detail. The first step to unlearning and relearning is overcoming your ego mind so that you can remain open to change. Become aware of its presence by listening to your thoughts closely as you go through your day. Once you recognize it, you are more likely to let it go.

4. Start Questioning – Question what you’ve been told by your parents, your teachers, your religious leaders, your romantic partners, the media, and your friends. Check in with your intuition and ask yourself, “Does this feel right to me?” If the answer is a blaring, “NO,” take some time to figure out what does resonate with you.

5. Break Old Patterns – Breaking old patterns can be a difficult but rewarding experience because it requires that you strip down naked to the core of who you are free of outside influences. You almost become like an infant learning how to crawl, walk, and run all over again except it is your spirit that is learning how to take its first steps."

Happy Healing!

Healing vs. Curing

2012-02-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

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When we experience dis-ease, there is a tendency to think in terms of absolutes, curable or incurable, partly due to Western medicine’s Biomedical Model and partly due to modern society’s dualistic nature. Our experiences are lumped into black and white categories (good vs. bad, old vs. young, pretty vs. ugly, etc.) leaving no room for the grey areas where much of life can be found. The words “healing” and “curing” are used interchangeably when their definitions could not be more different. Curing is a restoration of health, an absence of symptoms, and a remedy of disease while healing is a restoration of wholeness, not the level of wholeness before the disease hit, but a restoration of wholeness that is comparatively better than before the onset of disease. Healing is not the removal or cessation of symptoms but rather an integrative process that transcends the physical and includes mental, emotional, and spiritual vitality and wellness.

I don’t intend to cure this disease, I intend to heal from it, which I have been doing for the past seven years. The person I was before the onset of RSD/CRPS pales in comparison to the person I have become. Hopefully, the person I am now will pale in comparison to the person I become seven years from now. Healing tends to be an uncomfortable and lengthy process because it requires changes to a multitude of areas, including what you eat, drink, say, think, and do. It may require that you seek help from professionals as you break old, unhealthy patterns and create new and healthy ones. It is an uncomfortable, sometimes painful, process but it is truly empowering as it sets you up with the tools to go forward and live a healthy, balanced, and whole life.

Don’t get me wrong, curing is wonderful. I would love for modern medicine to have come up with the cure for RSD/CRPS already, a permanent cessation of the symptoms I experience. Where we tend to go wrong is that our Western medical model stops at curing when healing is necessary to address the root causes of many of our ailments. Negative thought patterns, toxic relationships, poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, poor stress management, etc. each are little drops in the raging waterfall that becomes the dis-ease that will drown your life.

Healing brings health, wholeness, and peace. RSD/CRPS is labeled as “incurable,” but I don’t choose to limit myself because of that incurable stamp. I’m not “un-healable,” and I choose to live my life with the notion that I will be healed, which is probably why I am reversing the disease’s progression. All of my symptoms may never go away (anything is possible), but that doesn’t mean that I will never be whole again. Don’t limit yourself to what others predict for your future. Break free and blaze a trail toward wholeness that no one ever expected to see. Take your mind off of the future cure and direct all of your intentions on the healing that can happen now. I have a funny feeling that once healed, we will be also be cured.

Don’t forget to check out my last blog post and get to know me better.

Happy Healing!

20 Facts You Might be Surprised to Learn About Me

2012-02-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

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1. My humor is incredibly biting, heavy on the sarcasm, and doesn’t boarder on inappropriate, it has crossed over into just plain wrong!

2. To piggy back off of #1, I think laughter is the closest you can get to heaven. When I am laughing, I am so immersed in joy and in the present moment. It is impossible to worry about the future or mull over the past when you are giggling so hard your face starts hurting. I'll do anything for a good, long laugh.

3. I have a tendency to doubt myself and lack confidence. It is a hard habit to break, but I work on it every single day.

4. I’m almost always early. I hate rushing. It plays on my anxious nature.

5. I’m very competitive. I like to win (from my days of playing sports).

6. I can’t cook. And I don’t really want to learn how to cook.

7. I’ve never had braces even though I have “perfect” teeth (according to everyone else). I got lucky.

8. I basically failed AP Chemistry in high school, but my teacher stopped grading my exams at a C because I tried so darn hard. I think she was just sick of me coming to her every single day after school for extra help. I was annoying.

9. I took 5 years of Italian.

10. I used to collect trolls. The little dolls with the crazy colored hair.

11. I’m not organized AT ALL.

12. I had a crush on Donatello, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, when I was little because he was “smart.”

13. I love watching The Challenge series on MTV.

14. I eat raw garlic, and I love it.

15. I have three tattoos.

16. I used to LOVE Hanson (they are still on my IPod).

17. I’ve had three surgeries.

18. If you Google “Sagittarius,” it explains me in detail.

19. I LOVE sugar. I used to eat chocolate cake for dinner (before going high raw vegan).

20. Shorter has so many random nicknames. Shoe Shoe, Tutty, Tut Tut, King Tut, Frank, Tuggy, Scooby, Shorty Pants, Big Fat Roommate (my personal favorite)… and he answers to them all.

Also, if you have any questions that you'd like me to answer via vlog, let me know on twitter, formspring, facebook, e-mail, or comment below. I could make this a weekly event if you have enough questions.

Happy Healing!

Chronic Illness and Friendships

2012-01-29T06:31:00.000-08:00

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Chronic illness is a mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically difficult experience due to that fact that is threatens an individual’s sense of self and feelings of well-being, competency, mastery, and productivity. On top of challenging one’s relationship with oneself, chronic illness often challenges the interpersonal relationships caught within its tangled web, including relationships with family members, co-workers, and friends. Through e-mails and on my formspring page, I am often asked questions that are centered around why friends either seem to lack compassion or totally disappear after a life-altering diagnosis. I was asked to write this in the form of a letter to the friends of those with chronic disease, but before I tackle that, there are some important points I’d like to make. I want you to consider the often and famously ignored point of view of your friends and family members. This isn’t going to be a friend bashing post, so if that is what you were expecting, you may not want to read ahead. The points I address may not be the things you want to consider, but they are what you need to hear.

During the acute phase of an illness, friends often rally around to support their beloved while he/she heals, but once disease reaches a chronic state, some may find it too overwhelming of a personal struggle to continue to provide support. To the sick, this takes the form of apathy or lack of concern and can be devastating, but it may just be that the concern is present without proper action. Most individuals have no clue how to interact with someone who is ill, and disease can be terrifying to someone who is healthy because it creates an urgent need to face one’s own and often denied morbidity and mortality. Most people’s biggest fears are loss of control, feelings of helplessness and vulnerability, feelings of inferiority, and ultimately, death or annihilation. No wonder chronic, acute, and terminal illnesses scare the pants off of most individuals.

Severe upset, fear, terror, anxiety, depression, anger, and even suicidal ideation often accompany chronic disease based upon feelings of injustice, loss of control, and helplessness, and this emotional turmoil can put a profound strain on your support system. This may be a controversial statement, so please, try to put yourself in the position of your loved ones – just as you do not want to be around Negative Nelly or Debbie Downer, neither do they (even if your reasons for feeling upset are extremely valid). Your loved ones need to preserve their health, too, and if you are constantly complaining or clinically depressed, they may need to remove themselves to maintain their well-beings. This is not a blame game, so take an honest look at yourself and decide whether or not your mood disturbances are affecting your life negatively. If they are, please enlist the help of a licensed mental health professional, spiritual counselor, clergy member, etc. (whoever you would typically go to for counsel).

Finding non-illness related subjects to talk about at times can help take some of the stress off of your strained friendships. Allow yourself a few minutes to discuss what is happening in your life concerning your disease, and then move on. Think about it, you know that friend that NEVER stops talking about her annoying, unhealthy relationship with that guy that you despise? Constantly complaining about your health challenges can have that same effect. Even though you can’t dump your disease like she can cut her boyfriend loose, with some work, you can dump the negative point of view.

For some time, friends will still expect you to be the same person they knew and loved before the diagnosis occurred, so allow them a grace period as they become reacquainted with the new you. Their attempts at socializing with you may seem callous when they invite you to do something you can no longer do, so communicate your new limitations clearly and firmly and suggest activities that you can participate in. Some family members and friends will never be able to accept your limitations, and this may require you to stretch and strengthen your forgiveness and compassion muscles. Just as you must accept your limitations, you will also have to accept the limitations of others. I have a rule I live by when it comes to this – Don’t expect something from someone that they will never be able to give you. Forgive and move past it because the only person your anger and resentment is hurting is you. Under anger are usually feelings of deep sadness and profound hurt, so getting in touch with those feelings will help you in your journey toward emotional freedom and better health.

This also may be time to clean friendship house. Becoming ill allows you to reevaluate your priorities by affording you with the opportunity to see what truly matters in life – love. If you engage in relationships that are not loving and supportive on either end (yours or theirs), consider revamping them or thank them for the lessons they have taught you and move on. Each person you encounter in life is there to teach you something whether it is for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Change your outlook, and find the lessons within your troubled relationships so that you can grow more into the person you were meant to be.

Happy Healing!

My 6 Tips for Surviving Winter with a Chronic Illness

2012-01-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

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Trust me, no one dislikes winter more than this former Miami girl. The shorter days, the dipping temperatures, the whipping wind chills, the (dare I say it) SNOW all make me shiver for more than just the obvious reason. Before coming back to New Jersey to pursue my Master’s Degree three years ago, I spent four years attending the University of Miami (GO CANES!) in Miami, FL. Why did I move far away from my amazing family and friends (who mostly stayed in the North East for college) and fly south at age 18? One word – WARMTH. My desire to live in perpetual summer was much stronger than my desire to stay with the familiar, and it was worth it. Sun, sand, warm water, and palm trees all year round is what I expect to see when those pearly gates open and let me in at the end of my life. In other words, Miami is heavenly.

So, what do I do to fight the winter blues when I want nothing more than to be nestled under a palm tree with a good book in the tropics? Here are my six tips for surviving winter with a chronic illness.

1. Change Your Thoughts – I’ve had to drastically change how I think about the winter. Although I still despise the cold, I’ve taken on the mindset of the Eastern traditions that view winter as a time for introspection and reflection. Use this time of hibernation to go deep within yourself and reflect upon the year that has passed and the changes you would like to make moving forward. Meditation is a great tool that allows you to go within, quiet your mind, oxygenate your body, and relieve stress simultaneously. It sure beats seasonal depression.

2. Eat a Vegan Diet – I will preach this until my last days. Eating a whole foods, plant-based diet supports you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. During the winter, it is especially important to eat in a way that supports your energy levels. Load up on raw fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and green juices, and avoid processed sugars, alcohol, and caffeine. Supplementing with Vitamin D3 when the sun does more hiding than shining is a fantastic idea.

3. Exercise – Exercise isn’t only for maintaining your weight and keeping your system healthy. Exercise oxygenates the body and relieves stress by releasing endorphins, those feel good, natural pain killers. Make time to engage in whatever form of exercise you see the most benefits from. Yoga is a great choice in the winter because it can be done from the comfort of your own heated home.

4. Layer Up – Many of us with chronic illnesses have restricted blood flow to certain areas of the body and lower overall basal body temperatures. Make sure to layer up so that you remain comfortable. Cold puts a certain amount of stress on the body that we can certainly do without.

5. Color – Bring some color into your life! So many people have winter wardrobes bogged down by black, grey, and brown. I was once told that my “closet looks like Miami threw up in it.” My wardrobe is dripping with color, and thanks to the current trends, I just added several neon pieces to my collection. Score!

6. Don’t Isolate – Winter hibernation can lead to isolation, so make an effort to stay in touch with those people in your life that make you feel good. Social support aids in proper health and well-being for a variety of reasons, but it can also make the winter slide by without any major depressive catastrophes.

Hang on tight! The days are getting longer, and spring is around the corner. Happy Healing!

Job Applications and Surrendering to Divine Will

2012-01-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

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Hi, healers! A lot has been going on lately. On top of lots of PT, yoga, meditating, coffee enemas, juicing and blending, I have taken the next step in my healing journey – I have begun applying for jobs (full-time and part-time). One full-time job opportunity that I am very excited about came to me over the weekend, so I will keep you updated on my job status as more unfolds.

Of course, my first reaction to applying for jobs and receiving a solid opportunity for full-time work is anxiety, worry, and fear. I have an anxious personality, and old habits die hard. Immediately, my first thought was, “How will I manage my healing routine and full-time work?” And then I said to myself, “Snap out of it! Look how far you’ve come! There is no one more disciplined than you. You will be fine.” The latter, loving conversation with myself is much more authentic than the fear-based former, and I took some time to meditate on the lesson being presented to me at the moment – SURRENDER.

Surrendering to God/Source/Spirit/Creator’s divine plan for my life has never been my forte due to the fact that I have a tendency to want to control my environments, causing me to live often in the future and not in the present moment. Worrying is wasted energy, and no amount of those acidic thoughts (remember, stinking thinking actually creates more acidity in the body) will ever change the outcome. It took much meditating and praying to come to that conclusion yet again but for the last time. I received the message – whatever will be, will be. God/Source/Spirit/Creator has a plan for me, and as I look back on my life so far, I have always been put in the places I needed to be to personally and professionally grow and develop.

Today, I am excited about the steps I am taking toward entering into the work force after several months taken off to stabilize my health and begin my true healing journey. I trust that God/Source/Spirit/Creator will lead me to where I need to be for my highest good and to fulfill my divine purpose. I’m surrendering to that universal energy that connects us all, and I’m loving it!

Happy Healing!

How to Maintain a Positive Outlook as a Young Woman Living with a Chronic Disease

2012-01-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

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Hi, healers! By request, I was asked to write a blog post on how I stay positive as a young woman living with a chronic illness. This topic is extremely relevant because life can be difficult enough to navigate and stay positive through when one is perfectly healthy or just experiencing an acute crisis. Add in the joys of chronic disease (day in and day out crisis), and if you’re lucky, chronic pain, and you’ve got a probable mess in the making and a “glass-half-empty” attitude just waiting to infect every area of your existence.

Let me preface this by saying that mood disorders, specifically depression and anxiety, are very common in those experiencing chronic pain and illness. I went through it, and I made it out the other side a different, more well-rounded, and more-fulfilled individual. If you think this might be you, too, please enlist the help of a licensed mental health professional. Also, low-thyroid, exhausted adrenals, and hormonal and nutritional deficiencies (like magnesium, iodine, B12, Vitamin D, and selenium) that are common in those living with chronic pain and disease have the ability to sink your mood and energy levels. Going for a full blood work-up is a great idea, and please, ask for the saliva test when testing your adrenals. You may have to go holistic to get a saliva test done. All or one of these issues, or somewhere in between, could be adding to your “stinking thinking,” so do your best to address them as ways to add energy and positivity deposits in your health bank. It will go a long way.

To me, the secrets to happiness are gratitude, good mental and emotional health, a strong support system, having a passion, being of service to others, developing a spiritual practice, practicing yoga (exercising), being vegan (having a healthy, whole foods, plant-based diet), and being your authentic self. Let me break them down for you so that you can see how I have learned to remain positive despite living with a “chronic, progressive, and incurable” neurological disease.

Count Your Blessings: By focusing on what you are grateful for and what you do have rather than what you are lacking, you not only attract more abundance into your life, you positively affect your mood instantaneously. If it is difficult for you to begin your gratitude quest, start small. Be thankful that you have hands to type in your blogs, eyes to read this post, food on your tables, clothes on your backs, clean water, heat, your educations, etc. Think of all those basic needs we have met here in America that most third world nations view as unattainable luxuries. Whenever you feel your mood begin to go south, draw on this tool to pick yourself back up.

Become the Observer of Your Thoughts: Most of us go through each day without any awareness as to what we are thinking and how it is affecting our overall health and well-being. Your mind affects your body and your body affects your mind. They are connected at the least – more like intertwined, one. Become conscious of your thoughts. Are they mostly negative? Self-limiting? Positive? Neutral? Loving? Fear-based? Try writing down your thoughts for a few days, and notice the patterns that reveal themselves. Taming the mind is one of life’s greatest challenges, but it is worth all of the effort it takes to rise above the mental monkey into pure consciousness and, ultimately, pure bliss. Emotional management is a learned skill.

Establish a Strong Support System: Humans are social creatures, and we need the support of others to get through trying times. Establishing meaningful relationships and keeping your inner circle tight with those who fully support you will allow you to feel connected, supported, loved, and safe.

Find a Passion: It is important to have a passion in life and to pursue that passion through whatever avenue is available to you. Doing what you love allows you to enter into “flow,” that divine space where time stops, energy is unlimited, creative powers surge, and bliss lives.

Be of Service: Using your God-given gifts to be of service to others not only does good for those you are helping, but it also benefits you. Helping those who need it most releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that actually create a euphoric feeling, lessening pain and sadness and increasing joy and positive energy.

Develop a Spiritual Practice: This can include yoga, meditation, traditional religious practices, solitary prayer, etc. Those who feel connected to a spiritual practice, a higher power, the whole, and themselves find greater meaning in life, especially suffering, and this can aid in them seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty.

Practice Yoga: Yoga’s benefits are endless – increased flexibility, increased strength and balance, increased detoxification, increased relaxation, etc. The goal of yoga isn’t to become more flexible or gain greater strength, although those are wonderful benefits. The goal is to take what you learn during your 30-90 minutes of practice and apply it to the rest of the 20+ hours in your day. Mindfulness, full and complete breaths, flexibility and ease throughout your day, etc. should carry over into other areas of your life and allow you to maintain balance. Balance = Health.

Go Vegan: Or at least eat a whole foods, plant-based diet. Keeping your body’s alkalinity in check and providing it with all of the essential vitamins and minerals will allow it to support all of its necessary and vital functions. HEAR THIS: Without proper nutrition and calorie consumption, body parts will start to fail. Glands like the thyroid and adrenals require adequate nutrients to function properly. Consuming nutrient dense plant foods and avoiding toxins (alcohol, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and neurotoxins) and stimulants (caffeine and sugar) will keep your energy level up, your body functioning properly, and your skin positively glowing.

Be Your Authentic Self: Don’t let society dictate where you should or shouldn’t be in your life. Challenge your belief systems about yourself and your life, and decide what YOU want and what is best for YOU. Right now, I live with my parents while I continue to heal myself with their help, guidance, and support, and I’m ok with that. At just turning 27 years old, I’m not married, and I don’t see myself having a child anytime soon (maybe not ever). Instead, I went for a Master’s Degree and am holding onto the dream of continuing on for my Ph.D. when I feel I am healthy enough to do so. For a 27 year old woman, society would not agree with some of my choices, but I am living out of authenticity, not out of other people’s expectations of me. Be your authentic self. There is only one of you, and what this society deems as “normal” can become painfully boring if everyone followed suit. It may be right for some but not for all. Shake things up! Be a trailblazer! But most importantly, do what brings you joy.

I hope this helped! Happy Healing!

Christmas and New Year's

2011-12-31T13:42:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! I’ve been meaning to write a blog post for a few days now, but if I’m not feeling inspired, I just can’t seem to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). I’ve been focusing on my healing – coffee enemas, juicing, yoga, meditation, etc. – and coaching my girls, which is incredibly fun and rewarding. Yesterday, we took them to two NCAA girls’ basketball games. Here we are with some of our eighth grade players. I’m in the white sweatshirt (I look like an eighth grader) and Billy is on the far right.

It is fantastic to be involved in athletics again. I feel more like myself. As you all know, I was quite the little Tom boy/athlete my whole life so losing that part of myself was profoundly tragic for me.

Christmas was quiet at my house. I was raised Roman Catholic but am non-denominational now. More New Age Mystic than anything else. I ate the usual vegan healer cuisine, and my favorite gift from my parents was my Tiny Devotions Turquoise Mala Beads. They are beautiful!

Shorter and Me:

My brother and me (I just woke up here. Scary!):

My Christmas meal:

Shorter in a food coma:

Tiny Devotions Turquoise Mala Beads:

Since time is a man-made construct, and I partied hard and enough for an entire lifetime my first year in Miami (hello, hottest clubs on South Beach and pent house parties!), I don't do the New Year's celebration thing. I'm home in my fleece PJs watching college basketball games, which is how I like to spend my free time. I will, however, reflect upon the progress I have made recently by saying that I'm beyond thrilled to have finished my Master's Degree, to have passed my board exam to become a licensed professional, and to have gotten off of all RSD and Fibro medications in the last 6 months. A year ago, I was doped up on ketamine and struggling to finish my Master's degree. These are welcomed changes.

My intentions for 2012 are the same as always - to continue to heal myself and to consistently grow personally and professionally. However those things happen is up to the universe. I will keep my eye, ears, mind, and heart wide open to receive whatever lessons I need to learn (gently, I hope).

Be safe tonight and Happy Healing!

Spin-Off: How to Deal with Unwanted and Unsolicited Comments About Your Health Challenge

2011-12-15T14:25:00.000-08:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! I'm so glad you enjoyed my last post centered on how to deal with criticism from family and friends surrounding your alternative diets and lifestyles (namely veganism and Gerson Therapy). It was inspired by several requests from you to write about the topic because I have not received criticism from family and friends. I've received another spin-off request to discuss the topic of unwanted and unsolicited comments concerning your specific health challenge. Have you seen a handful of doctors and several specialists? Have you spent days upon days researching treatment options? Have you tried several medications and interventions? If so, you may be one of the individuals absolutely repulsed when someone you know, who also knows nothing about your particular health challenge, attempts to diagnose you and offer treatment options as if you have been sequestered from mainstream society since your diagnosis. It can be infuriating, especially when the unwanted comments are aimed toward you as a parent and caregiver of a sick child.

Here's the deal, most people mean well but their best attempts at "helping" often fail when done without compassionate contemplation before speaking. Most people have NO social CLUE how to interact with someone who is ill. Often, they say and do all of the wrong things because they don't know any better. How many of you have been on the receiving end of the, "But, you look so good," comment? Or how about the, "You're too young to be sick," brain fart. Or what about the, "It can't be THAT bad," blunder? Believe it or not, those clueless comments are often people's attempts at being supportive when all someone who is suffering wants to hear is a simple, "That must suck! Can I do anything to help?" Acknowledgment, validation, and offering a helping hand can go a long way in maintaining and strengthening relationships with the ill.

Then, there are those people who lack proper social etiquette, clear boundaries, and the ability to empathize. Their comments can be relentless and insulting, so it is important that you bite the bullet immediately and set up and communicate clear boundaries from day one. If they continue to violate your set boundaries, you may have to remove yourself from the relationship for the time being or for forever. That is your choice. In the end, your health is priority number one.

This can also be a fantastic time to go within and examine why it is that these individuals press your buttons. Deep down, do you agree with their comments about yourself? Is your self-worth compromised? Do they mirror back to you something you need to change about yourself? Remember, every crisis is an opportunity for growth, so if something has you feeling uncomfortable, that is a cue to look for the lesson. And if every crisis is an opportunity for growth, every person we come across is a teacher. Allow yourself to sink into the lesson being shown to you before you jump to feelings of anger and frustration. You'll miss the sacred moments if you spend all of your energy blaming others for your perceived misfortunes.

Happy Healing!

How to Deal with Criticism from Family and Friends Concerning Veganism

2011-12-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

(SOURCE)

I've never been an individual susceptible to peer pressure. In high school, unaffected by the need most teens have to conform and be a part of the “in crowd,” I focused much of my attention on my academics and sports, and whatever time I had leftover went to socializing. Today, when it comes to my diet and lifestyle choices (raw veganism, yoga, meditation, New Age spirituality and mysticism, and Gerson Therapy), my last concern is whether or not the masses agree with the way I live my life. I have the ability to drown out critical comments from the peanut gallery and continue to follow my inner guidance system (or intuition) as I live the lifestyle choices and practices that feel right to me. I live MY own truth, and that is good enough for me. But for some, especially new vegans and those of you just beginning to embark upon a healthier and more stable you, criticism from friends and family can strike like a knife in the back and a dagger in the heart. Why would the people who I thought loved me not want to support me? This is a common question swirling around the new vegan’s head as he/she dodges the bullets of criticism aimed his/her way.

Let me start by saying that you will certainly find out who your true friends and family are during a crisis and/or during a time of great change and life overhaul. Those who were in your corner from day one, your tried and true intimate relationships, will support you one hundred percent in your transformation. At the very least, they will give you the space you need to grow and change and allow you to personally develop and grow into your authentic and healthier self. At the most, they will show curiosity in your new lifestyle and become inspired by your dedication and the results you are obtaining, making changes in their own diets and lifestyles to mimic what they see. Those who do not support you, the superficial relationships in your life, do not deserve the energy that you should be devoting to breaking old, unhealthy habits and creating new, healthy ones. This could be just the push you need to reevaluate your interpersonal relationships, to gain perspective, and to reset your priorities.

Hear this and take notes - most people are so profoundly misinformed when it comes to health and wellness in our society because they have been exposed to, believed, and never questioned the propaganda spread by the very companies that stand to profit off of their unhealthy lifestyles and ultimately their future illnesses. One "plan of attack" is to educate them in a docile, non-threatening way about why YOU have made changes in your life to better your health and wellness and focus less on why THEY should jump on board, too. Trust me, they will jump ship instead. Lead by example. Since becoming vegan almost four years ago, several of my close friends (and Internet friends) have followed suit. At the very least, dozens of individuals who have crossed paths with me have tweaked their diets and lifestyles to add more plant-based foods and stress management techniques. This all occurred just because I stayed in my own lane and let others watch me drive off into the good health horizon. When they see the results you are experiencing, they will want a piece of it, too. It's easy to preach and become overzealous when you first begin cleaning up your act, but try to remember that if you don't want to be criticized, others sure don't either. If they ask, inform. Otherwise, silence is golden.

Also, when certain individuals in your life (and you know who they are) watch you evolve into a better, more balanced, and healthier you, an undercurrent of jealousy and guilt can fuel their critical comments as they continue down the path of self-destruction. Ever heard the saying "misery loves company?" Well, so does a diet of burgers and fries. Change is scary for most people. As a former goal-oriented athlete, I've always welcomed change because it has meant becoming a better version of who I am right now. Just as obstacles are opportunities for growth, so are changes, and we need to begin to view them in less threatening manners. Routine is safe, and those people in your life who love routine will be particularly uncomfortable when you start refusing cocktails and sugar and begin suggesting you hit up the local organic and vegan joint instead of your neighborhood pub or McDonalds.

When it comes to conflict, YOU have to engage in it for conflict to exist. If your conversations with particular individuals have become caustic surrounding your diet and lifestyle, say to them, “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to discuss my diet and lifestyle with you anymore. If you would like to talk to me, we are going to have to focus on a different subject from here on out.” Stand your ground. If they continue to fan the flames of your frustration, it may be time to temporarily or permanently cut ties with them so that you can focus on your health and well-being. Arm yourself with information, but also arm yourself with compassion and understanding. A majority of the people on this earth will go through life stagnant and asleep, and they will leave this world the same exact way, un-evolved and unexamined.

If you are feeling particularly vulnerable to peer pressure, try to remember why you decided to embark upon this diet and lifestyle overhaul. Was it to feel healthier? Was it to reverse a chronic health condition? Was it to take a stand against animal cruelty? Was it to truly live your values of compassion, mercy, non-violence, love, and non-judgment? Reminding yourself of the important moral, ethical, spiritual, and physical reasons you changed the way you eat, drink, think, and live can be a powerful tool in assisting you in renewing your commitment to veganism in the face of critical comments. Remember, you can always make new friends who share the same lifestyle choices that you do. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals will allow you to feel connected to a sense of community during a time when you can begin to feel isolated from mainstream society.

Last but not least, be proud of yourself! Give yourself a pat on the back for all of the amazing life changes you are making. It isn’t easy to break old, unhealthy habits, to rebel against mainstream society, to differentiate yourself from family and friends, to take a moral and ethical stand each moment of every day with every action you take, etc. And, please, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Veganism is a beautiful, all-encompassing life practice that is rooted in health, beauty, love, compassion, intuition, the interconnectedness of all organisms, non-violence, mercy, non-judgment, and personal and spiritual growth and development. And, food, delicious food. Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Veganism is not a death sentence. It is a movement toward an abundant life.

Happy Healing!

Giveaway Winners + My Juice Routine in Detail

2011-12-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! The four winners of the NuNaturals Stevia giveaway are:

1. Stacy in Mali

2. Katie

3. Amber

4. Lauren

Please e-mail me your addresses to mariamooney@comcast.net so I can pass them onto the NuNaturals people for your prizes.

Thanks for entering!

I had a question on my formspring page asking what my juicing routine looks like in detail. Remember, I've been a juicing vegan for almost four years now, so I have different combinations that I find work for me. My disease is not malignant, so I have some wiggle room.

THIS IS JUST WHAT WORKS FOR ME.

I juice approximately 75oz of juice a day.

50oz are green: kale/spinach/collard greens, green apple, cucumber/celery, lemon

25oz are of a carrot mixture: carrot, green apple, lemon, cantaloupe

I add a potassium powder to all of my juices.

Happy Healing!

Thanksgiving and Birthday

2011-11-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekends, and I hope they were vegan ;-)

Thanksgiving was low-key and vegan for me at my house. One of my favorite people came to spend the holiday with me.

And my mom made me one of my favorite fall treats, roasted Brussels sprouts.

Sunday was my birthday, and I turned 27 years old surrounded by love and vegan food. My parents and I went to one of my favorite vegan spots, Kaya's Kitchen, where they have a buffet style lunch on Sundays. My plate was packed with sautéed broccoli and kale in garlic, salad, and mashed potatoes. It was delicious, organic, and pretty Gerson friendly.

I'm a happy vegan camper!

On the way home, we stopped at my favorite natural market that caters to the raw vegan, Dean's Market, where I ordered a 24oz kale, spinach, and apple juice.

My parents gave me the Fenix Trigger Point Peg Board. This device is heaven for people with Fibromyalgia. It allows you to release your own trigger points with some discomfort and a lot of dedication.

They also gave me yoga paws! These little pieces of heaven allow you to do yoga without your hands slipping. They are also made from Eco-friendly materials.

Shorter is so thoughtful. Look what he surprised me with:

The perfect birthday for the vegan healer!

Today, my fur baby, Shorter, turns four years old. Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Healing!

My Personal Take on Gratitude this Thanksgiving - From Hospice to RSD

2011-11-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

(SOURCE)

When I have worked with the vulnerable, oppressed, and disenfranchised populations (from the sick and dying to the poorest of the poor), I have always been astounded by the amount of gratefulness they express on a daily basis, never missing a beat on the gratitude drum. One very poor client in particular, whose relatively young son was dying from an aggressive form of lung cancer, would always answer, “I’m blessed,” when you asked her how she was doing. In the face of so much adversity and infinite amounts of sadness (with her own child dying in her home), she had the whimsical ability to make ME feel better after our phone conversations or in person sessions.

This woman had very little in the material department, but in the love and soul department, she had it all. What could a woman most people would view as lacking so much be so grateful for? She was grateful to be alive, to have food on her table, to feel the sun shining on her skin, to have a roof over head, to hear the birds sing, etc. Her gratitude list was essentially endless. She was extremely religious/spiritual and found much of her gratitude and happiness in her relationships with herself, others, and her higher power. This is an interesting concept when you consider the sad fact that many of those who are not lacking in the material senses do lack the gratefulness that should be in their hearts and radiating throughout their beings. If you are to ask me who I think is more grateful, I would largely say that those who lack materially are often (not an absolute) more grateful for what they do have. Perhaps, this is because they are spiritually rich or rich in loving relationships? Perhaps, this is because their material lacking has allowed them to reevaluate their priorities? All I know is that I strive to be more like them.

My clients and this disease have been my gratefulness teachers, and they have taught me that gratitude is an energy that helps you to discern between what is important in your life and what is not. It allows you to shy away from sweating the small stuff as you remember your bigger picture, which is framed by love, wonder, and awe. Gratitude allows you to become aware of your morals and values as your sense of purpose and the meaning of your life become amplified over the feelings of lack you are so accustomed to experiencing in this society. Focusing on what you are grateful for soothes your fears and sadness and tunes you back into your feelings of pure love and joy and the present moment.

When considering what to put on your gratitude list, most people immediately consider the big stuff – your car, your home, your job, etc. I, on the other hand, am grateful for the big AND small because the small have been taken away from me due to a “chronic, progressive, and incurable” disease. I am grateful for standing up in the shower, for being able to drive a car at all, for being able to wear socks on my feet, for being able to be off of medications, for being able to do a little yoga, for having energy that I once totally lacked, for a good night's sleep, for not having to go back into the hospital to get ketamine pumped into my veins, for being able to do my own shopping, etc. My list is truly endless this year as I take into consideration where I have been, where I am now, and where I am going.

When you are grateful, your perception of the world and your position in it changes from that of a position of lack to that of a position of abundance, and gratitude is by far the greatest multiplier of good. Practicing gratitude is a decision to give up your belief in lack and invest all of your stock in the belief of fullness and abundance. Want more to be grateful for? Be grateful for more.

P.S. Gratitude is gorgeous!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Healing!

Don't forget to enter my NuNaturals Stevia giveaway!

NuNaturals Stevia Giveaway!

2011-11-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! Look at all the amazing goodies the lovely people at NuNaturals sent me to try out!

I have to take a moment to RAVE about NuNaturals products. I firmly believe they are the absolute best stevia products on the market. For those of you who do not know, stevia is a zero calorie, natural sweetener extracted from a plant. Their liquid stevia extracts, especially the vanilla and cocoa versions, taste delightful and really wake up oatmeal, green smoothies, green juices, teas, etc. I have a major sweet tooth but also have a history of systemic candida, those nasty little yeast buggers that sustain themselves off of the sugar you ingest. Also with conditions like RSD and Fibro, it is best to eliminate stimulants (sugar and caffeine) because of their ability to worsen symptoms by increasing inflammation and acidity in the body. NuNaturals Stevia is the best way to enjoy something sweet without it becoming detrimental to your health.

I have yet to try the More Fiber Stevia Baking Blend, but I will certainly let you know when I do.

Now, for the giveaway! NuNaturals has offered to give four of my readers "ONE box of our NuStevia Packets, 50 ct. Box, AND ONE bottle of our NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia Liquid, 2 oz. bottle." This contest is open to U.S. Continental residents only.

I'm going to extend the giveaway for 10 days, so I will pick the winners on December 2, 2011.

To enter, leave a comment on my blog, write a blog post about my giveaway, post about it on your facebook, and/or post about it on your twitter. Leave an individual comment for each thing you do (total of 4 comments/4 ways to enter).

Also, IN ADDITION, take advantage of NuNaturals' "FREE SAMPLES" program to ALL Continental U.S. readers where you can receive "FREE SAMPLES" of NuStevia Packets by sending a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED, # 10 envelope to them at the following location:

NuNaturals, INC

2220 West 2nd Ave. # 1

Eugene, OR 97402

Last but not least, you can take full advantage of SPECIAL DISCOUNTS on all future orders only available from ordering through the website. ENTER this CODE: BLG1211, and you will receive a SPECIAL DISCOUNT of -15% on your TOTAL ORDER up until 12/31/2011.

Orders over $35.00 always come with free shipping if you order off their main website.

Good luck!!!!

Happy Healing!

My Daily Schedule + A Vlog

2011-11-17T05:12:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! So what does a typical day look like for me? I’m not going to use times because they vary, especially on days that I am coaching or have doctors’ appointments, treatments, or massages. Generally, this is what it looks like.

-Wake up. Before I get out of bed, I do a few stretches lying down. Then, I go downstairs, prepare a cup of herbal tea, take my morning supplements, and sit down with Shorter for a half hour.

-Then, it’s upstairs for my first coffee enema where I read, answer e-mails or browse the internet on my IPhone, and/or listen to music.

-Time to make and drink my first juice followed by a breakfast of gluten free oats soaked in distilled water, banana, and maybe some dried fruit (dates or Turkish apricots). We make the juices in 25oz batches at my house.

-While I watch the previous night’s Dr. Drew on HLN (LOVE!), I work on my trigger points for 30 minutes to an hour and then stretch them out.

-An hour of yoga/meditation.

-Coffee enema #2 followed by second 25oz juice and lunch of salad with a baked potato and flax oil with raw apple cider vinegar dressing.

-Work on my trigger points again while watching some TV, do some writing, run errands, etc.

-Coffee enema #3 followed by my third 25oz juice and a dinner that is the same as lunch.

-Work on my trigger points again while watching some TV.

-Before bed, I do another 20ish minutes of gentle yoga stretches, read, and meditate.

Yesterday, I uploaded a vlog that I completely forgot about after a bunch of you asked that I make one again. Sorry!

Any questions?

Happy Healing!

Gerson, Good News, and Holiday Requests

2011-11-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hi, healers! We had our season opener on Sunday. The girls were VERY nervous, but once the second half started, they settled into a rhythm. I'm still going strong with Gerson Therapy and continuing to make improvements as each day passes. My ability to engage in more challenging yoga and strength building has substantially improved my overall health (anxiety, mood, flexibility) and pain (still off of all medications for pain). Like anything else in life, it is a practice and must be done consistently. Would it help if I wrote down a sort of rough log of what I do each day? Many of you have shown some curiosity. Just let me know. You can leave a comment here, through e-mail, on facebook, on twitter, or on my formsping page.

The holidays are approaching, and I have received some questions about how to deal with social situations during the holidays and your dietary restrictions and overall healing. Let me know if you would like me to write a blog post concerning these topics.

Yesterday, I was contacted by the Gerson Institute to do some writing for them. I am super honored and thrilled they found my writing compelling enough to want to use it in their publication. Yay!

Don't forget to check out my guest post on detoxification.

I snapped some photos of my Gerson experience. Here are a few:

Cooled coffee ready to go and a carrot, green apple, ginger, and parsley juice. Remember, my disease isn't malignant, so I have some wiggle room as far as juice combinations, etc. If your disease is malignant, it is best to follow the protocol as closely as possible. I do what works for me and constantly adjust and readjust when necessary,

Getting ready to juice.

One of my favorite juices that I have once a day (24oz) and have had since I began Gerson Therapy several months ago - carrot, green apple, cantaloupe, and lemon.

Potatoes are a staple on Gerson Therapy for their potassium and protein. I have 2-4 a day depending on their size. In my house, we bake a few days worth (2-3days) at a time, and I store them in the fridge for quick access.

Sweet potatoes are allowed once per week, and of course, lots and lots of raw veggies all day long.

Happy Healing!

My Guest Blog Post on All Things Detoxification

2011-11-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! Check out the guest post I wrote for my friend Kelly's blog, Girl Gone Vegan. It is copied and pasted below, but click here to read the original version and check out the great blog she is putting together. Kelly has been diagnosed with Dysautonomia, which is a neurologically based condition like RSD/CRPS. I think many of my readers will be able to identify with her struggles as she navigates her way through dis-ease and toward healing - the vegan way :-) Enjoy!

"The human body is a brilliantly amazing, intelligently designed vessel kept thriving by involuntary and intricate processes that a majority of the human race uses, abuses, and takes for granted until a major health crisis materializes and one is forced to ponder where, when, and how he/she took a wrong turn into "Dis-ease Town." Not only did I take that wrong turn into "Dis-ease Town," but I drove the damn train off the tracks and ended up in a firey wreck far off in some ditch. I've spent the last seven years trying to emerge like a Phoenix from the ashes of my own creation.

Over the last seven years, I have attempted to treat a “progressive and incurable” neurological disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD/CRPS) with toxic treatments, surgeries, and medications, including, at its worst, ketamine infusions, fentanyl patches (a narcotic 50-100x stronger than morphine), double strength vicodin (4x per day), neurontin, and ativan. And, yes, all at one time. Loopy Maria was a riot but my attempts at healing were nothing more than shoving a butterfly band-aid on an open, gaping wound and hoping it would just go away on its own. It wasn’t until I encountered a natural treatment, Gerson Therapy, comprised of upwards of 100 ounces of fresh, organic vegetable/fruit juices per day, up to five coffee enemas per day, and a VERY restrictive vegan diet that I was able to lessen my symptoms and wean and remain off of all toxic medications. Gerson Therapy believes that most, if not all, diseases are results of nutritional deficiencies and bodily toxicities, which is why the treatment centers on detoxification.

Detoxification is as necessary to the human body as breathing. As typical waste products of bodily functions, cells are constantly producing toxins that enter into the bloodstream and then the liver for detoxification. In our modern lives, we are exposed to a plethora of man-made toxins that our glorious bodies are not designed to handle and dispose of from the processed crap found in your Standard American Diets, to the gender-bending chemicals found in your beauty products, and the pesticides and neurotoxins found in, on, and around even the healthiest of whole, plant-based foods. These toxins create irritation, inflammation, and acidity in the body causing it to literally strip your bones and teeth of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals to neutralize the acid and damage you are causing it each and every day. Your bones are literally slowly dissolving because of what you eat, drink, and think. Hello, osteoporosis!

The body desires an alkaline pH (potential of hydrogen) of about 7.365. When foods are ingested and digested they leave either an acid or alkaline residue. Processed foods, animal products, alcohol, coffee, and sugar are acidic. Acidity = Disease. I was never great at math, but that is one equation I can comprehend and roll with. How does an individual combat bodily acidity? By eating mostly alkaline foods (a ratio of about 80/20), which include leafy greens and many other luscious plant-based goodies, by assisting the body in detoxification through coffee and wheat grass enemas, colonics, deep breathing, dry brushing, sweating, rebounding, and exercising, by avoiding environmental toxins as much as possible, and by controlling stress. What you think is just as, if not more, important than what you eat and drink. Negative, stress-induced thoughts actually create acidity in the body just as if you were to eat a big, honkin’ cheeseburger.

A topic worth spending a few moments on is that of NEUROtoxicty. It occurs when exposure to environmental toxins, natural or artificial, damages the nervous system in such a way that the normal brain activity is altered. These environmental toxins are called neurotoxins and can be found in the forms of drug therapies, heavy metals, pesticides, cosmetics, and cleaning solvents, amongst other commonly occurring substances that we come in contact with multiple times a day. Believe it or not, many of these substances are found in the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. Ever heard of MSG? Yes, these delicious neurotoxins are added to your foods to enhance taste and slowly kill off your brain cells one by one. How nice! Can you say, “Yum?” Some common symptoms of neurotoxicity include memory, vision, and cognitive disturbances, limb weakness or numbness, and headaches, and these symptoms may occur immediately after exposure or may be significantly delayed. The prognosis depends upon the length and degree of exposure, but a full recovery is possible under the right conditions and circumstances.

The subjects of healing and detoxification are vast and loaded with life-saving information, but they can take months and even years to sift through. The message I hope you receive today is that it is important to become educated and empowered as a health care consumer just as it is important to find a trusted medical professional to partner with, traditional and/or holistic. It is even more imperative that you strive for maintenance and healing through significant diet and lifestyle changes, but most importantly, healing is possible. It may take more time than you are willing to donate to your health at the start, but remember, slow and steady wins the race – and heals.

Maria Mooney, MSW, LSW, is a raw vegan, licensed social worker living with and healing from a “progressive and incurable” neurological disease, RSD/CRPS. Join her in her latest campaign, “Good Health is Gorgeous,” as she attempts to rewrite the societal standards of beauty, and follow along as she heals, grows, and conquers on her blog."

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - The Long, Courageous Road to Feeling Gorgeous

2011-11-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

By Amanda Migliaccio, Holistic Health Counselor and Teacher

Today I am 24 and a 1/2-years-old. I am a preschool teacher. I am a student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I am a Health Counselor. I am active. I am an aunt to a beautiful 1-year-old girl. I am a girlfriend, who has picked out my ring. I am terribly fortunate. However, like most girls, regardless of age… I am often insecure, and I can my worst enemy.

Rewind 20 years, I was a happy, loveable, excited little girl who had terrible stomach problems. I loved my mommy and the outdoors more than anything. My (insert expletive) uncle and my sister (who was young and not to blame) used to tease me saying I was ugly… it NEVER phased me. That was until I grew up, and although I have been told I “grew out of that” and am now beautiful… I still have moments when I think otherwise.

Fast forward to middle school. I was confident. I had a great group of friends, and I even met the love of my life (my future fiancé, yep, we met and dated, and even were each other’s first kiss in the 6th/7th grade). But, I heard my mother talk about weight. All. The. Time. I watched my big sister who I admired so, so, much, battle with mean girls, and then become a walking stick. I heard my grandmother talk about “fat” people. My aunt talk about how she gained a pound from Christmas Eve to Christmas day. So, what did I do? I stole a few yellow pills from my sister. A few pink pills from my mother. And even Chromium Picolinate from my father, because I over heard my mom tell him that they may help him lose weight. He was taking them for his diabetes. Did I mention I had terrible stomach problems? Oh, and the scale? My new best friend. I was obsessed with numbers, and I was 12-years-old.

Throughout high school I was happy, confident, but building this obsession. I was very lucky, I could eat a lot, and really not gain weight… if anything it went to my bubble butt. The problem was that I would eat like crap, go home, get sick, and then beg my mom for a laxative because I ate too much. This vicious trend lasted until I was 18 and finally saw a gastroenterologist about my stomach problems. I had IBS, which pretty much puts me in a category with all other people in the world with stomach issues that they have no idea what they are. And, I had acid reflux. The cure: of course a prescription for Zelnorm and Prevacid.

My grandmother had mentioned how she never took her Prevacid, and that someone my age should not be on such a medication. So I never took it. Zelnorm on the other hand, I loved. So, Zelnorm did reduce my mysterious IBS, but Zelnorm was the fuel to my obsession. I was a senior in high school, within two months I dropped ten pounds, I weighted a mere 105/108lbs (I weighed myself so often that this my was range…) Being 18, I thought this was amazing. I swore I looked hot, I was skinny! Even my bubble butt shrank. So, with the weight loss I joined a gym, and although a healthy obsession, I became obsessed with exercise for all of the wrong reasons.

In the spring of my freshman year in college, I remember like it was yesterday: I had called my father to refill my prescription for Zelnorm. Then I received a call from my mom telling me that Zelnorm had been taken off the market for causing heart attacks and strokes. What did 19-year-old Amanda think? I need Zelnorm, I don’t care about having heart disease or have a stroke! I need to be skinny. I will get FAT. I begged my mom to find out how I can still get it. “I will get sick!” I cried. But, my mom, she knew better. She said to me, “Amanda, I know, your scared you are going to gain weight.” Nailed it on the nose, mom… I used to hate when she could do that!

So, I spoke to my sister who was now battling Crohns disease, and because of this, switched over to a plant based diet. She suggested I try flax seed. I put the ground seeds over my cereal every morning. My stomach issues pretty much vanished with just an occasional attack- usually after I ate too much crap! That conversation with my sister was the beginning of my journey to wellness.

That following fall, I moved into an apartment with my boyfriend (same boy I dated in 6th and 7th grade… and still together today). His one request: no scale. He and I had been dating pre Zelnorm, and he watched my obsession build. He was so sick of sitting at dinner with my family, and hearing everyone talk about how much they weighed that morning. So, I left the scale at home, and instead became obsessed with counting calories.

After a year of living with my boyfriend, I started to relax a bit about my weight. I gained a few lbs, and was happy at 112lbs. After almost two years of measuring my portions and recording everything I ate, I dumped the calorie-counting obsession, along with meat and dairy (thanks again, to my big sister’s suggestion). At this point in my life, I cared more about the nutritional aspect of my food, rather than the caloric intake. As a result, this vegan diet completely cured my stomach issues. I have had one attack in 3 years (when in France: butter). The vegan life style has transformed my health, my thinking, my entire life. I now exercise to feel good, not to burn calories. I may not weigh 112lbs anymore, but I feel great, I feel gorgeous!

Today, I am a teacher, a student, a Health Counselor, an aunt, a future fiancé. Today I am healthy. Today I am happy. Today I am gorgeous. Today I am grateful for my past, because valuable lessons were learned. Tomorrow I am going to help other girls like the 13, 18, and 21-year-old Amanda feel gorgeous!

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Coffee Enemas

2011-11-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! I haven't written in a few days because I have been quite consumed with coaching, Gerson Therapy, doctors, treatments, and pushing myself physically as of lately with difficult and lengthy yoga, some PT I used in my distance running days at the University of Miami training room, and playing some basketball while I coach. It requires a lot of recovery time. I feel myself becoming stronger and stronger each day, and I can see my body changing, too!

I wanted to share this video with you from the lovely Jessica Ainscough, a fellow Gerson Person. She has uploaded a "How-To" video for one of my favorite subjects - the coffee enema. I receive SO many questions on this topic through e-mail and my social media sites, and Jessica does, also. I'm super excited because many of you have contacted me to let me know you are going to try or are currently trying Gerson Therapy after hearing how much it has helped me thus far. Yay!

Check out an earlier post I wrote on coffee enemas (I now use a stainless steel enema kit). Currently, I do three coffee retention enemas per day. Not only do they stimulate the liver and bile ducts to detoxify the body at rapid rates, they are also used as natural pain relievers. I have come off of all toxic medications used for pain relief in a two month period since beginning coffee enemas. These include ketamine, ativan, neurontin, advil, and even fentanyl and double strength vicodin in the past. They are fantastic tools.

Please watch and enjoy!

Any Questions?

Remember, November is National Prevention Month, and coffee enemas can and should be done 2x per week when one is healthy for prevention.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Living Fully with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis

2011-11-03T04:35:00.000-07:00

By Kristin Richardson (aka Red Deception)

I have made a personal addition to the campaign slogan.

Good health AND WELLNESS is gorgeous! I wholeheartedly believe in the necessity of holistic health: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and sexual. Fulfilling each aspect of holistic health is unique to each individual, but with awareness of all these needs an individual with a chronic illness can feel complete. Happy. Whole.

I personally have had major gaps in each of these aspects of health.

When I was a mere child, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. An illness that would plague me with excruciating pain, embarrassing symptoms, and a defeated self-esteem. I was only twelve years old when I first noticed symptoms occurring: bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and constant nausea. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t mention anything for an entire year. It wasn’t until my Mother noticed that I was unwell that I was sent to the doctor, then Internal Medicine, then Gastroenterology for diagnosis and treatment. I endured a battery of embarrassing diagnostic texts and physical exams until I was properly diagnosed.

I was diagnosed with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis. At thirteen years old.

Being an adolescent, there was a focus on the physical and sexual aspects of beauty. I never felt beautiful in any manner – I felt sad and sick. I had to take daily medication that reminded me that I was not a “normal” teenage girl. In the interest of rebelling, I acted as normally as possible to prevent any of my peers from discovering my secret. I participated in high school activities, got into some adolescent trouble, drank alcohol, and dated high school boys. Although I did date high school boys, I was often heartbroken by my fear of being sexually intimate with another person. This fear was that a sexual partner would discover my illness and be disgusted by it. I made a personal choice to wait as long as possible until I could be comfortable enough to share intimacy with someone I was certain loved me enough to make my Chronic Ulcerative Colitis a non-issue.

Despite being sick, I was determined to live my life as fully as possible. I traveled to Italy, Germany, Scotland, and many other countries. I learned to pole and hip-hop dance. I learned to surf (and learned that I am not a naturally gifted surfer). I indulged my love of food and cooking by preparing delicious meals for the people I am close to, even if I was far too nauseated to enjoy it. I indulged in learning more about cooking and had kind comments made towards me such as"You must love to cook, I've never seen anyone reading a cookbook for fun!” I felt an impending sense that I needed to live my life now because the future was so uncertain. It’s deep introspecting for someone in her early 20s.

During my BScN, I was absolutely in love with the career of nursing. I was also overcome with studying and high expectations of my university program. Studying plus a chronic illness leads to disaster. My condition was worsening. I was prescribed medications that caused me to bloat, have emotional mood swings, and prevented me from having a normal sleep pattern. This carried on into my professional career, with me having to call in sick when I was overwhelmed with side effects or overcome with nausea that was so bad it made my teeth chatter.

When I turned 23 it became clear that the steroids, 5-ASA drugs, and antibiotics were not helping. I was now diagnosed with Refractory Chronic Ulcerative Colitis, which means I don't respond to conventional treatment. There was talk about major abdominal surgery, which was a terrifying though. At 23, I did not feel ready to wear a colostomy bag and have my entire colon removed. There had to be another way.

My first glimpse of hope was when I was accepted into a Master of Nursing program. In fall 2010 I started my Masters degree to become a Nurse Practitioner, a passion of mine. I want to work in women's health and sexual health, providing services to girls and women that are low-income or high risk. I love every minute of school. Going to school, as it turned out, became a lifesaver for me as well.

Gaining my education also meant I was going to move back home. To the Northwest Territories.

The beauty of the cold Northern environment was healing.

I was later told by a kind-hearted Nurse Practitioner course instructor that when I started my program in September 2010 that I looked “positively grey” and sickly. I surely felt that way. I used what little energy I had to perform academically, but I spent most of my free time napping. Or eating chocolate and candy to keep my energy levels up.

In a last ditch effort to control my disease, I was started on a medication called Remicade. An IV infusion that is incredibly expensive and has dire side effects. There is a severe side effect of a rare lymphoma, a fact that terrified me as the first infusion flowed into my veins. This drug is also known for reactivating Tuberculosis and worsening respiratory infections, which meant that I need regular chest x-rays and need to be cautious of monitoring my health. Since I’ve begun Remicade, I am extra careful about washing my hands and avoid anyone with a cough. I was afraid for the first few months, going to the hospital for my IV infusion.

After the first infusion I began to feel better. My symptoms decreased and my energy began to improve. By the third month, all of my symptoms were gone. I had energy. I began to feel, dare I say it, happy and healthy.

I was told about a holistic nutritionist in town, and out of curiosity I decided to arrange an appointment. I have never been to nutritionist before, despite my bowel disease. She was warm, supportive, and taught me the greatest lessons I know about how food is a powerful healer. I learned about the benefits of a plant-based diet and did in-depth research into this dietary choice. I slowly realized that eating a plant-based diet was the best approach to eat an anti-inflammatory diet and ensure I had optimal nutrient intake. To improve intestinal healing I drank green juice, green smoothies, and soup. To go from a standard diet to a plant-based diet was a drastic change, but an effective change. My skin developed a healthy glow, I had outstanding energy, I slept better, and my gut felt better than ever before.

I also did more research into holistic health. I read endless books about veganism, chronic illness, alternative treatments, and meditation. I began integrating what I have learned from my readings and from my Holistic Nutritionist, into my healing journey. I started acupuncture and massage with great success – it improves my emotional stressors and relaxes my busy mind. Dry brushing mades my skin glow. Meditation improves my mental wellness and capacity to cope with my disease. I stopped “exercising” and started being “active” – taking part in activity that makes me feel happy and fulfilled. I bike regularly, an activity that makes me feel free and joyful. I started Yin Yoga, which assists in relaxation and improves my hip pain related to long-term steroid use. I started drinking aloe juice for its positive and soothing effect on the gastrointestinal tract. I started having detoxing baths with essential oils. I started practicing good sleep hygiene to ensure I have enough rest so that I can perform at optimal mental capacity. I began using natural and organic skincare and household products after becoming educated on the negative effects of parabens, pthalates, propelyne glycol, sulfates, and other nasty ingredients.

I even met someone wonderful and fell in love. My disease is always a non-issue, and he is wonderfully empathetic and caring when I am unwell. The experience of loving and being loved by another person has made this experience a little less scary and has created a lovely sense of companionship in my life.

My feelings of self-confidence have soared. I am empowered by all the positive changes that have occurred in my life. My disease had been my greatest motivator, teaching me lessons it would have taken me a lifetime to understand. I feel more in touch with each aspect of my holistic being, and predict that my journey will continue to empower me to develop into a proud and confident individual that is not defined by disease.

I feel complete. Happy. Whole.

The journey into wellness and health is continuous, but it can be gorgeous.

Happy Healing!

Snow White, Pancakes, & Progress

2011-11-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! Just a quick post to share some of Addie's birthday and Halloween pictures with you. I have two guests posts coming up soon that I think you will really enjoy. Stay tuned! And don't forget today is the start of "National Prevention Month." Join Kris Carr and the crazsexylife.com team as we say, "Prevention is HOT!" this November. Check out my previous blog post about prevention.

Coaching has been a real blast so far. We have the best group of girls, and I even felt so wonderful last night that I played a few games of knockout! I haven't done that off of medication in seven years. Our first game is November 13th, and we have a pep rally coming up on Thursday. FUN!

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Diet and Lifestyle DO Matter (the male perspective)

2011-10-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! Here is a GREAT guest post by a fellow Gerson/vegan person who has found substantial relief in just two weeks of starting the enemas and juices. When he sent me an e-mail to let me know of his success, I asked him to write a little something about his journey for you all to read. Enjoy! If you want to contact him, just drop me a line, and I will give you his e-mail address.

By Greg Dennis

Two and a half years ago, my doctor nearly killed me. I was prescribed a three week course of an antibiotic for a condition I didn't have, that sent me crashing down the harrowing path of chronic illness and in to the world of adverse drug reactions. When things were at their worst, I had roughly 30 symptoms with damage to most systems, glands, organs, and tissues. It was a delayed reaction so I had no idea what was happening. It took me about a year to connect the dots and figure out that I had been poisoned, ravaged by the very medical establishment I had trusted with my health. I got in touch with others. Some had healed. Some hadn't. There didn't seem to be any consensus on recovery other then that there was no consensus at all. For someone whose reason for breathing was to play basketball, living inside a body that was a medical train wreck was nothing less then derogatory. What do you do when you can't recognize your own life? When the body you've always taken for granted is violated and your health disappears - what do you do? You pick up the pieces, take control of your choices and change your lifestyle. Consider the opening lines of the great novel David Copperfield: "Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show." The guy was on to something.

I still have a ways to go but the more I read, the more I learn, the more empowered I become. I try new therapies (gerson being the latest and most promising) but the fundamentals to my physical well being never change - diet, stress management, movement, and healthy relationships. Each person I seek out in the field of alternative health leads me to someone else as the layers slowly unfold and certain realizations become clear. There are biological cause and effects that our choices have on us that no one can escape from -so my habits have had to change. Some out of necessity, others by choice. I've substituted mai thais for meditation and started a regular yoga practice. I juice daily, i've cut out all meat, dairy, alcohol, and coffee (unless I'm drinking it upside down via enema ) I found a good acupuncturist and trigger point specialist to help me get back on my feet. And I even invested in an infrared sauna while I continue to navigate through the one two steps forward one step back dance of set back and improvements. All of these things help me to keep up with normal earthlings in my day to day life. Of the many things i've learned: healing doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars, and it doesn't come from a magic pill (which is what got me here in the first place) It is a lifestyle shift that requires an open mind, patience, and a certain focus and resoluteness to give your body the things it needs to heal. I won't go so far as to say I'm glad this happened to me - I'm not. But I have learned a lot about myself and health that I would've never learned any other way. The more we learn the better choices we can make and the better chance we have to heal. Out of the darkness in to the light.

Join Kris Carr and the crazysexylife.com team as we say "Prevention is HOT!" this November

2011-10-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! Have you seen the new crazysexylife.com newsletter? If not, check out this quote in Kris' introduction:

"Hey, let's invent something together. How about we make November National Prevention Month -- prevention of all BS, not just a specific disease? Ooh! That's crazy sexy! If you're on board, then spend the next 30 days focusing on self-care. Do it for yourself, do it for the broken sickcare system and do it for the next generation. This is a movement my friends. We need numbers. We need you."

Join my crazysexy pal, Kris Carr, and the crazysexylife.com team as we designate November "National Prevention Month." Let's take back the reigns of our health and focus on all of the luscious goodies that assist in creating and maintaining good health in all of its forms. I'm talking about a whole foods, plant-based diet, yoga, meditation, prayer, proper self-care, good mental and emotional health (therapy is super cool - I should know), and whatever else you can think of that contributes to that inner sparkle and sunshine that is fantastic health. We have a "disease-care" system in this country, not a "health-care system," meaning we spend years putting unholy junk into our mouths, minds, and hearts and enter the "health-care" system when we have been broken down into states of dis-ease. It is imperative that we begin to focus on prevention and quit taking our bodies, minds, and spirits for granted. Trust me, if you are in decent health today, you don't want to end up where I am tomorrow. Thankfully, I am getting a second chance. Start taking care of yourselves TODAY!

I'm sure we will hear MUCH more from Kris Carr on this fabulous idea she birthed, but for now, spread the word, get your butts over to crazysexylife.com for support, and eat your veggies!

Happy PREVENTION!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Healthy Boundaries are Gorgeous

2011-10-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! Within the past few weeks, I have received countless questions on my formspring page concerning how to establish and maintain (and enforce when needed) healthy interpersonal boundaries. This topic is especially important when one is living with chronic, acute, and/or terminal illness based upon the fact that unhealthy interpersonal relationships and stressful life events can flare and even aid in the progression of many dis-eases. When attempting to heal, spirits need to be flying high and stress needs to be kept low.

Many of your questions have been centered around the other person, stating, “I’ve set my boundaries, but this person won’t change.” Establishing and maintaining boundaries in your life is NOT about forcing others to change, but it is about deciding what you will and will not tolerate in your life followed by establishing how you will enforce those set boundaries if they are tested or simply ignored.

Communicating your limits firmly, consistently, succinctly, and without strong emotion (a.k.a. without blaming) is imperative because one never accomplishes his/her goals by putting the target audience on the defensive. You don’t want to create MORE conflict. Try saying something like, “It is super important that I avoid stress in my life so that I can heal, which includes X, Y, and Z.” Do not justify or rationalize your boundaries. This is not a two-way conversation but rather a polite, calm, firm, and respectful statement of your needs – no discussion added.

For those people in your lives who are particularly manipulative, controlling, abusive, and overbearing, stay firm, be VERY specific about what you will and will not tolerate, and be EVEN MORE specific about the consequences that you will enforce if your boundaries are tested and crossed. Again, this is not a two-way conversation. For example, you may calmly and respectfully let him/her know that if your boundaries are crossed, you will have to cut him/her out of your life for the time being. You come first, and that is OK.

Learning to set boundaries can take time, and like any other skill, you will improve over time and with practice. It is quite common for individuals, especially us people-pleasers, to feel guilty or selfish when establishing boundaries and saying “no,” but it is important to recognize that you have the right to take care of yourself without letting limiting belief systems get in the way of your mind-body-spirit health and wellness. You deserve unbounded happiness, you are worthy of luscious miracles, and you belong in healthy, loving, and respectful interpersonal relationships. If you require some daily affirmations to help yourself through the beginning stages of setting and enforcing your boundaries, repeat the last sentence over and over again several times a day while adding in, “I have the right to take care of myself.” If you don’t, who will?

Any Questions? I may add some concrete bullet points about how to establish and maintain healthy boundaries in a follow-up post, but this is a good start.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Finding Beauty In Diversity

2011-10-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Finding Beauty In Diversity

By Sarah E Brown and Courtney Pool

While pressure to conform to societal beauty standards can be present for women of all sexual orientations, recent studies suggest lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women are especially vulnerable to disordered body image. (Source: Hardin, Kimeron N. Queer Blues: the Lesbian & Gay Guide to Overcoming Depression. Oakland, CA:New Harbinger Publications, 2001. Print.) The process of coming out as any non-normative identity can be difficult, and for queer women, negotiating physical beauty norms can be a tricky experience. According to a New York Times article published this week entitled "Up The Career Ladder, Lipstick In Hand", makeup and the trappings of femininity can garner increased respect in the workplace. Some women who love women prefer to wear pant suits instead of skirts, chapstick instead of lipstick, short hair instead of long hair, or something that straddles the borders between feminine and masculine. Regardless of how we feel most attractive or comfortable, we may have to normalize our appearance in order to cater to kyriarchical standards of attractiveness for women necessary to earn a living. Just because some women who love women don't sleep with men doesn't mean we don't still feel the same pressures to be thin, attractive, sexy, beautiful as those who do.

In a relationship between two women, body image and emotional eating issues are often amplified. According to the National Institute of Health, Women (of all orientations) are seven times more likely to have an eating disorder than men (of all orientations). Lesbians are at greater risk of binge eating disorder than heterosexual women. In a relationship, two women overall are statistically more likely to face more eating disorder behavior.

Learning to be compassionate with ourselves and others and embracing more holistic beauty standards can be paramount to healing body image issues. Additionally, we've found that a plant-source only diet rich in raw foods can help promote true health, which is beautiful! Eating a vegan diet rich in whole foods sends the message to yourself and to the world that you believe in promoting compassion for yourself and others. A compassionate diet promotes beauty within and without. Just like coming out as a lesbian or bisexual or non-normative sexuality can empower others to find the courage to embrace their own sexual identities, we’ve found that choosing to eat a healthy, plant-based diet and sharing this lifestyle with loved ones sends a powerful message to others that they may also embrace compassion.

Sarah E. Brown and Courtney Pool are currently working on a book on veganism and holistic health for women who love women. Material from this post is adapted from the project. If you are interested in contributing a story related to women who love women and holistic health, or networking in regards to this project, please contact courtneypool [at] gmail [dot] com.

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Be Aware of the Impacts You Make on Others

2011-10-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Hi, healers! I'm so pleased you enjoyed my first guest post for the "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign by Lauren of Ginger is the New Pink. In the next few days, I am going to post another guest post by two women who are LGBTQ and animal advocates (vegan, of course), and they are also partners (as in women who love women).

It is so fitting that I just began co-coaching a basketball team comprised of thirteen and fourteen year old girls. The reason I am writing this post is to suggest that not only is good health gorgeous in all of its forms, but good role models are even more gorgeous and vital to the personal growth and development of others. Whether we realize it or not, someone somewhere is looking up to us and dissecting our every move with the intention of emulating what he/she sees. This is obvious if you have children in your immediate or extended families, but as a teacher, a coach, a public figure (blogger), etc., you will be directly or indirectly influencing the lives of others. Even on the every day, interpersonal level, the way you interact with and treat others, especially in their most vulnerable moments, will leave lasting imprints on their minds and hearts, and the most important legacy we leave behind is the legacy of how we treat others and therefore how they remember us. Remember that the next time you are about to lose your temper or make a sarcastic remark. The more you lift others up, the more likely they are to pay it forward and do the same.

I am the person I am today because of some fantastic role models, most importantly my parents but also coaches and teachers. When I saw someone extend a gesture of kindness, whether it was holding the door for someone or holding someone as he/she cried, I noticed the receiver's positive reaction and desired to emulate what I just witnessed. When I was the receiver of kind gestures, the lesson carried much more weight, and believe me, I have been on the receiving end of many kind gestures in my lifetime.

Awareness concerning the impacts you make on others and a concerted effort to make those and future impacts positive ones are such profound ways to BE the change you wish to see in the world. Great role models aren't just successful business people, they are well-rounded individuals who show empathy, kindness, compassion, mercy, non-judgment and acceptance toward all organisms, including themselves and especially the vulnerable, oppressed, and disenfranchised, and they own up to mistakes and take responsibility for their lives, the energy they bring into a space, and the impressions they leave on others.

While it may seem like an immense amount of pressure to be a role model, no one expects you to be perfect. We are all human, and that means our egos take over on occasion or often, and we make mistakes. It is what we do with those mistakes and lessons learned that allow us to build character and become great, shining examples that inspire others to be selfless and to live their best lives.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Lessons on Gorgeousness from a New Mommy

2011-10-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

by Lauren of Ginger is the New Pink

Hello beautiful people!

I'm so honored that Maria asked me to write a post for her "Good health is gorgeous" campaign. She is such an inspiration to me, and I can't say enough good things about her. I'm lucky enough to have spent time with her in person, and she glows from the inside out!

I wasn't sure what topic to talk about. I have suffered from poor self esteem, distorted eating and I'm a constant worrier. I also have Crohn's disease, which flares when my stressing gets out of control. But my biggest lightbulb moment came to me recently, 11 months after giving birth to my beautiful daughter...

As I mentioned, distorted eating has been an issue for me in the past. I have starved, binged, over exercised, all just to fit what society tells us is beautiful. I grew up being able to eat just about anything without putting on a pound. I was an active cheerleader and pretty tiny. When puberty hit, I found I could no longer stuff my face with donuts and other garbage. I didn't even know I was starting to put on weight until a school mate had pointed out my new tummy and family members had started calling me "chipmunk cheeks". So I went on a fat free diet and got back down to my normal weight. But my "cheeks" didn't go away...

Always self conscious of my chubbier face, I hated having pictures taken, even though I was as skinny as someone could be. I had a baby face! Fast forward 5 years, I was diagnosed with Crohn's and told I would have to take prednisone, the drug that is known to cause "moonface".. I left the doctors office and ripped up the prescription. A few weeks later, I was hospitalized, receiving blood transfusions, all because I didn't want to look fat.

Having been on and off of prednisone for years now, I have come to accept the side effects. Before becoming pregnant, I had gained about 15 pounds. I thought I would have time to lose it, but fortunate for me, I was pregnant immediately. I felt so amazing while pregnant, my Crohn's was under control and I was eating like I've never ate before. I felt so free to be able to indulge in vegan sweets and gluten! I gained a ton of weight, and I was really worried about losing it. My self confidence was non existent, I barely have any pictures of myself pregnant. I truly regret that..

The day I had my daughter I started thinking about losing the weight, I went back to my high raw diet, I did the p90x workout program and I am breastfeeding, which helped a lot. At 11 months post pregnancy, I have lost all of the weight. But with this came a lot of compliments and I feel like I am always talking about my weight. My lightbulb moment came when I saw an episode of Oprah's Lifeclass where she talked about her ego after she did a show on herself losing weight. I thought about how uncomfortable it made me feel when people commented on my weight loss. I guess I should be proud, but I don't really feel like this is such a great accomplishment. I would much rather someone tell me I was smart or that I helped them in some way. Then I thought about my daughter and how I wouldn't want her to think that being thin was the most important thing in the world. I no longer wanted people to talk about weight in my or her presence. I want her to grow up confident for who she is on the inside. So I made a promise to her that I would show her how to glow from the inside out by being a good person and seeing the good in others. I hope that she grows up with a different mind frame then I did. I would never want her to think anything less of herself. I want her to show her shining light on the inside out.

I'm so happy that I had this moment. I feel like my outlook on life has changed and I'm not worried about what size I am. I want people to see the real me, the person I'm striving to become, one day at a time.

Thank you again, Maria for letting me share my story.

Lauren is my beautiful friend and a raw vegan, new mommy living with Crohn's Disease. Check out her blog!

Dr. Oz, Death with Dignity, and Me

2011-10-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! My Dr. Oz experience was serendipitous and amazing. I networked and met so many wonderful people in the hospice and palliative care fields, including LCSW's, board members, doctors, and lawyers (all involved in some way or another in either treating/counseling the terminally ill and their loved ones or creating, advocating for, and passing legislation).

The "celebrity" guests were Montel Williams (love him!), Dr. Byock (a prominent figure in hospice and palliative care and also my father's childhood buddy - imagine his surprise as he sat in the audience!), a woman from Oregon involved in Death with Dignity, and some narcissistic a**hole psychiatrist. Excuse my language, but his personality leaves an awful taste in my mouth. He is grandiose and disrespectful, and I hope he is aware that he comes off that way, although a true narcissist will not care. His inflated sense of self and his lack of empathy for anyone but himself is deeply and profoundly disturbing. Sicko.

I never once mentioned to the show that I live with RSD because I am so darn sick of talking and thinking about it. I thought, "for once I am going speak from a personal and professional experience with my LSW hat on." Think again! Before taken to her correct seat, a woman sat down next to me, and being the social worker I am, I asked what her position was on death with dignity. Imagine my surprise when she said she was for the laws because her son committed suicide one month ago due to 10 years of poor pain management for his chronic pain condition, RSD! I told her I also live with the disease, and she grabbed my hand and began to sob. Of course, I broke down, too. It was deeply moving for the both of us.

We were going to speak together, but someone who was so arrogantly against the laws was attacking Montel Williams and took up our slot. You might not see much of me but some horrified looks I gave listening to that jerk of a psychiatrist.

The woman to my right was an LCSW, and her last MSW student was a girl my age with RSD! What serendipity! Can you believe all of this?! We exchanged information and have been e-mailing this afternoon.

All in all, a truly enriching experience, but I really need to take it easy now. I have had five very busy and active days in a row.

Happy Healing!

My Appearance on the Dr. Oz Show Wednesday

2011-10-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! I just want to update you - I've been asked to participate in a panel on the Dr. Oz Show about my experiences working in hospice and my support of Death with Dignity Laws. It tapes Wednesday, so I am not sure when it will air. Wish me luck!

I'm also co-coaching a girl's varsity basketball team. The girls are 7th and 8th graders. We've had practice the last three days, and I did not pace myself well. Dealing with a bit of a flare from doing wayyyy too much. It's worth it, though. I'm having a blast, and the girls are great!

I will keep you all posted.

Happy Healing!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - The "Miss Representation" of Women

2011-10-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! To start off my "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign, please watch this video shared with me by one of my best and inspiring "loud and proud and out" friends, Brad (or B-Rad as I like to call him). It tackles the subject of the devaluation of women in the media and how young boys are conditioned from an early age into misogyny, creating a culture where women are misrepresented in a multitude of ways and in a multitude of places. My background is in sociology (and psychology), so this is a topic near and dear to my heart, which is why I started my "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign to rewrite the societal standards of beauty. Here is the longer, eight minute version I suggest you watch. You can find the shortened trailer below.

Thoughts? Questions?

Happy Healing (and equality)!

My "Good Health is Gorgeous" Campaign

2011-10-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! Today, I want to propose the launch of a new campaign thought up yours truly. It is called the "Good Health is Gorgeous" campaign, and its purpose is to set a new standard of beauty in a society that focuses on unrealistic and unimportant standards and characteristics of beauty and projects them onto its members. We no longer have a realistic grasp on what authentic beauty is comprised of. Beauty is not waif thin models or botox injected celebrities. Beauty is stunning, brilliant health. It is subjective not objective, and it does not begin with the perfect sized lips, hips, breasts, and whatever other physical attribute is "hot" and in vogue at the moment. Beauty starts from the inside, and I don't mean personality. I'm talking about the health of your internal organs, and it is followed by the health of your mind and spirit. A whole foods, plant-based diet is beautiful, and mental health is just as important as physical health. Mental health therapy is not only cool, it is scorching hot and beyond sexy, and great mental and emotional health are as gorgeous as it can get. Let's start a movement and make health our main priority and not toxic manicures, pedicures, highlights, caked on makeup, and hair extensions. Put your foot down and refuse to give in to societal standards of beauty while taking a bold and beautiful step in the direction of good health. A plant-based diet, yoga, meditation, healthy interpersonal relationships, proper stress management skills, self-love, spirituality, and good health are gorgeous! Join me as I attempt to rewrite the beauty script and spread good health cheer where it is most needed - EVERYWHERE!

Each week, I will bring light to a subject that contributes to the gorgeousness of good health, and if anyone wants to share their stories about reprioritizing and redefining what beauty means in your lives, feel free to e-mail me at mariamooney@comcast.net with your story and suggestions. If you'd like to cross-post on your blog and link back to my blog, feel free! This is just my beginning thoughts, so stayed tuned for much much more and join me in this initiative!

Happy Healing!

Indian Summer

2011-10-10T04:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! The weather was beautiful this weekend here in New Jersey. It was more like fall/winter in my beloved second home, Miami, FL. My parents and I took Shorter to our favorite organic farm stand and then to the beach to enjoy the sunshine.

Look what my dad and mom gave me! An original 1970 Prefontaine Sports Illustrated! It goes perfectly with my Frank Shorter Sports Illustrated when he won the Olympic gold medal in the marathon in the early 1970s.

I'm still going strong with Gerson Therapy and enjoying being off any medication for pain, even Advil. It feels great :-)

Don't forget to check out my chronicbabe.com post.

Happy Healing!

My ChronicBabe.com article

2011-10-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! My chronicbabe.com article is up. Check it out!

"Her pain has become her greatest gift: Maria Mooney, guest blogger

by Maria Mooney, guest blogger (she's HappyHealing44 on Twitter)

Approximately four years ago at age 23, I was diagnosed with the "progressive and incurable" neurological disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also commonly referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and I swore that the entire world could see the Scarlet “RSD” burnt onto my chest as a sign of warning to avoid the sick girl contaminated by chronic pain at all costs. Would I ever be able to go to graduate school? Would a man ever love me? Was I now damaged goods? Could I ever live a "normal" life?

Since then, I have graduated with a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work, passed my Board exam to become a licensed mental health professional, been loved by many men (insert winky face here), and redefined what "normal" means to me by carving my own path down the winding, and sometimes bumpy, road of chronic pain and illness.

Living a fulfilling life despite the ever-present burden of chronic, burning neuropathic pain in every inch of all four limbs hasn't always been Goldendoodle puppy dogs and vegan birthday cakes, but it has afforded me the opportunity to go within while living in a world so preoccupied and consumed by what is without and to discover my passions while learning important lessons about myself, others, and the world around me.

Now, I am a proud raw vegan, animal activist, writer, and mental health professional, and before falling ill, I was none of these. I was lost. I found myself as I fell down the blackened rabbit hole of chronic illness, and then I crawled my way back up toward the light of self-awareness and meaning. Dis-ease is a gift. Although, I would not wrap it with a pretty pink bow and give it to anyone I love, I also would not return it for something viewed by mainstream society as "better."

As time progresses and I am tried by difficult circumstances, I am realizing that character building is a slow and steady process if you let it be. When we delay our growth by denial, avoidance, regression, resentment, anger, jealousy, and comparing ourselves to others, we inflict upon ourselves the worst and most unnecessary pain possible that would only be temporary discomfort if we faced change and character development head on and with an eager spirit.

Each trial is an opportunity for growth, and when viewed in this manner, pain becomes a stepping stone to higher awareness. Use your pain wisely. It may be your greatest burden, but it can also become your greatest gift.

Check out Maria's blog: Going Down Swinging: A RSD/CPRS Blog. Or ask Maria a question at Formspring."

Happy Healing!

Pictures and Boundaries

2011-10-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! I have a few blog posts in the works. One is about boundaries because I get quite a few questions on that topic on my formspring page.

In the meantime, enjoy some cute pictures. Look how big Addie is getting! She will be three years old at the end of the month.

Happy Healing!

I Don't Identify with Disease

2011-09-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

When someone is given a diagnosis after many years of suffering without a label to wrap around his or her symptoms, the diagnosis is often met with a sigh of relief and an exclamation of "see, it's not all in my head!" Shortly after (say, two minutes later), for me, the novelty wore off, and I was faced with the fact that I now had a "progressive and incurable" neurological disease to contend with and a miracle healing to shoot for.

I heard through the RSD/CRPS grapevine yesterday that the disease was going to be featured on Dr. Oz's show this afternoon, and while I am thrilled for the awareness the appearance will bring to the disease and the many who are suffering, I did not tune in to watch despite being homebound while doing the castor oil treatment portion of Gerson Therapy today.

Let me explain why. Although I have a blog where I discuss RSD/CRPS amongst many other topics, including health and diet, veganism, animal rights, mental health, spiritual development, etc., I have always attempted to keep myself comfortably removed from identifying too strongly with the disease. For the same reasoning, most of you were unaware that I also have diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease until I added my "disclaimer" tab not too long ago, and some of you may have just found this out while reading. I've always pictured myself to be temporarily stuck with these diseases while on my way to a miraculous healing, and for me to heal fully, it is important that I be part of the disease community as a helper to others who are suffering but not so much as a sufferer. Identifying too strongly with disease might have the ability to put me in the victim role, and that is a place where healing often does not occur.

Not identifying with disease does not mean I am in denial because I am doing more for my health and gaining more ground than most people who are healthy, which can be shown by the fact that I am no longer taking any medication for pain (while once on fentanyl and ketamine). However, it does mean that I choose to see myself as strong, fit, healthy, and all of the positive descriptives you can come up with on your own.

Perhaps when I am healed, I will become more involved in fundraising, research, public speaking, book writing, etc., but for now, it is necessary that I keep a healthy distance between myself and the diseases I have been diagnosed with, almost like an outsider looking in rather than a patient at times. I believe it is part of what allows me to maintain sound emotional and mental health despite chronic disease and what has allowed me to move forward in my life and attain my goals while riding the not-so-pleasant ride of chronic pain and illness. This, of course, is a personal choice, and we each must do what we feel in our hearts to be right for us as individuals.

Happy Healing!

P.S. Castor oil treatment day is an unpleasant but necessary part of Gerson Therapy. I'll be doing it once a week instead of the usual twice a week routine.

P.P.S. My chronicbabe.com guest post will be up on October 7th.

Great Expectations

2011-09-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Most of us have expectations. They are created and designed to help us attain peace of mind by predicting how the near or far future will unfold. They also help us make sense out of a world that is so often quite frightening and uncertain. When our expectations are fulfilled, we feel pleasantly surprised or satisfied, but when they aren’t, we often emerge bitterly disappointed and possibly traumatized because we have attached emotions to neutral outcomes. Everything is this world is neutral (no, it was not made by the Divine and then labeled “good” or “bad.”) and we take liberty and assign negative or positive meanings to situations, people, and outcomes, ultimately affecting our health and well-being.

Inevitably, expectations lead to disappointment, especially when you are dealing with a chronic health condition like RSD/CRPS. I used to wake up every morning expecting to be healed, and morning after morning, my condition remained the same or worsened. It wasn’t until I surrendered to what is that I let go of expectation and subsequently disappointment, sadness, and frustration. Your expectations, be they realistic or unrealistic, are the only causes of your disappointments and become the fertile grounds for which let downs can and will flourish.

Concerning relationships and expectations, it is important to understand that certain people have limitations, whether they be mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical, and that setting unrealistic expectations of others will end in nothing but bitterness, resentment, blame, feelings of let down, and even hatred. Understanding the limitations of others will allow us to circumvent disappointment by not setting unrealistic expectations that these individuals, even on their best days (perhaps, even in this lifetime), will not be able to meet.

Instead of focusing on what you don’t have or what you wish could happen, focus on what you do have. Stop living in the past or future and start focusing on the present moment. Have gratitude for the abundance in your life, and if you can’t find anything to be grateful for, look harder. For most of us, we are accustomed to a culture of deficit, of wanting more. What if you have everything you already need? What if you stopped longing for more, more, more, and started seeing the blessings in your life? Not only will you be happier and more at peace but you will also attract more abundance to you. Remember, like always attracts like.

Happy Healing and surrendering!

Why Forgive?

2011-09-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

"What you need is more understanding, not more battle plans." -Guy Finley

Life is ALWAYS teaching me. It’s a beautiful thing to have self-awareness and be able to take a good, hard look at oneself to move to the next stage of personal and spiritual development and transformation. Here is my latest learning experience: Forgiveness (this one took me several days of meditation – they aren’t always easy).

When we feel someone has wronged us, our first reactions usually come from our human, lower-level ego-selves and consist of anger, resentment, blame, bitterness, and even hatred, but if we can come full circle and learn how to forgive and even love those we feel have wronged us, lessons can be learned and personal-developments can be made. Where people seem to become stuck is in believing that by forgiving someone, they are saying, “What you did to me was acceptable.” This is not so. Forgiveness is an act of letting go and releasing all of those unhealthy emotions you have been carrying around. It is an act of great love toward yourself and your future health and well-being and the future health and well-being of any and all subsequent relationships you may enter into. If bitterness, anger, resentment, hatred, and blame are in our pasts, then they will inevitably sabotage our futures. Allowing yourself to feel the pain of hurt and loss without defending yourself against the wrong actions of others allows you to grow and mature without hardening. You have the choice to become stuck in your past or become better for experiencing it, learning important lessons about yourself, others, and the world around you.

Through a recent personal experience and after much prayer and meditation, I have come to the conclusion that it is best and healthiest to forgive AND forget when you feel someone has wronged you. In doing so, you are fully releasing any negative emotions you might be consciously or subconsciously storing in your mind-body-spirit. Remember, stored negative emotions create mental and physical dis-ease. Since everything that happens to us in this lifetime is a lesson to be learned, never forget the lesson that particular personal experience taught you but do forgive and forget the rest.

A Course in Miracles says, “As you see him, you will see yourself.” Love those who have wronged you for, as Jesus said, they know not what they do. Have compassion and full acceptance for the divine in those who have hurt you because they are usually suffering deeply and in need of our loving thoughts and actions versus our hatred and resentments. Be the bigger person. Always. If you can’t say, “I forgive you,” then at least let the individual know, “I care for you, and I send you love and healing.” It’s the right thing to do for yourself (it will set you free) and for the person who you feel has wronged you.

Happy Healing and forgiving.

The Energy Sucking Narcissist

2011-09-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

To find inner peace, happiness, contentment, and emotional freedom, we need to stop being naïve and come to terms with the unhealthiness of certain relationships in our lives. The presence of certain individuals can elevate your mood, and on the other hand, some individuals can literally suck your energy reserves and optimism dry.

Today, I want to discuss the individual that displays narcissistic personality traits – that positive energy sucking vampire that everyone has come in contact with at one point in their lives. You’ll be able to spot narcissists from miles away because their way of relating to others is distinct and profoundly disturbing. The first and most obvious trait to be aware of is the “me first” attitude – everything is all about them and others are just a means to an end for this troubled, self-serving individual. They have an utterly warped grandiose sense of self-importance and entitlement, crave constant admiration from others, are manipulative, selfish, aggressive, cocky, and impulsive (sexually promiscuous, substance abusers, etc.), are concerned with power motives, and lack empathy, which makes them particularly dangerous to your emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental health and well-being. If you don’t follow their rules, which simply put involves their way or the highway, they become hostile and punishing. Related personality traits can include psychopathy and sociopathy (scary!).

So, how does one relate to the good ol’ narcissist in his/her life? If possible, dodge that bullet and run! If that isn’t in the cards for you, it is important to understand that these are emotionally limited individuals who cannot tolerate true emotional intimacy and will continue to have shallow and limited personal relations with others for most of their lives. Your best bet is to avoid falling in love with the narcissist because true, unconditional love is impossible without several strings attached and tedious ego-stroking. Most importantly, DO NOT allow your self-worth to become tangled up in how the narcissist views you or relates to you, because deep down, these individuals are deeply disturbed and contending with profound feelings of inner emptiness.

Should you have compassion for the narcissist? Yes. Should you do it from a VERY FAR distance? DOUBLE YES!

Happy Healing and emotional well-being!

Take care of yourselves.

Cute Pictures

2011-09-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! Here are some cute pictures we took yesterday with the baby. It was UMiami's first football game day, and we wore our matching UMiami shirts. She is getting so big! Her third birthday is at the end of October. Time sure does fly!

Cheering on the 'Canes with our orange and green pom poms:

Showing off our matching shirts:

Throwing up The U:

Happy Healing!

Gerson Therapy

2011-09-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! As you all know, I have been a raw vegan for about 3.5 years (the lifestyle has maintained me beautifully) but have recently embarked on Gerson Therapy for its ability to cure the incurable, specifically degenerative diseases like RSD/CRPS.

Healing the Gerson Way is a great book that outlines the therapy for home use, and here are some frequently asked questions answered on the official website (which is where you can get many of the products - including the enema kit).

Here is the link to the PDF that explains in detail Gerson approved foods.

Jessica Ainscough, The Wellness Warrior, discusses Gerson Therapy on her website and also provides Gerson approved recipes.

This website and this website outline and summarize the therapy pretty well, too.

The whole goal of the therapy is to rid the body of disease through correction of bodily toxicity (coffee enemas and avoiding as many toxins as possible in all forms - beauty products, food, water, etc.) and nutritional deficiency. The therapy involves drinking somewhere near 100oz of freshly made veggie/fruit juice a day (I drink about 75oz), avoiding salt, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and all processed foods, pushing potassium (potatoes, bananas, potassium powder/salts), and staying low-fat and low-protein (low but adequate through plant-based sources, especially oatmeal and all the veggies). I feel like there is so much I could write about the therapy, but that is a good summary. Don't forget to click on all the links I provided for more and detailed information. Since RSD/CRPS is not a malignant disease, I have a little wiggle room as far as some things go (and I continually adjust as I see or don't see results), but those with malignant conditions need to follow the exact therapy.

Of course, don't forget about the coffee enemas. They are absolutely necessary for detoxification. I do 2-3 a day. I usually throw in the third one if my pain is a little higher as they are a way to lower pain without medication. Healthy folks should do 1-2 a week to maintain their wellness.

Since this post was requested by many of you, why don't you write me specific questions you have about the therapy. You can use the comments or my formspring page.

Happy Healing (pooping and juicing)!!!!

Progress! Curing the Incurable!

2011-08-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! It's been about a month since I started the full Gerson Therapy (potassium supplements, stainless steel enema kit, niacin, etc.), and I did an entire 60 minute, challenging yoga DVD today without stopping once and in minimal pain! I haven't accomplished that in six years! AND, I am down to 300mg of neurontin. On Thursday, I will be off of it completely. The only medication left will be the 14mg of LDN and occasional .5mg of ativan for pain. It's a miracle! Progress has been steady, although, every now and then, I have a rise in pain. More good days than bad!

I was asked to do a detailed post on Gerson Therapy and also one on criticism. I'll get on those ASAP. I'm off to acupuncture right now.

According to the Gerson Institute, I am the first person they know of using Gerson for RSD/CRPS. They've asked me to fill out a series of questions for them every three months to record how the therapy is working for this disease. Cool!

Happy Healing!

Gerson Foods and Osho Quotes

2011-08-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! Still doing Gerson Therapy. I had some gluten sneak into my oats, so that set me back a few days. Oats are usually contaminated with gluten unless specified "Gluten-Free" on the package. Gluten not only gives me a stomach ache for a few days, but it kicks up my neurological symptoms and inflammation.

Here are the typical foods one eats on Gerson Therapy:

Kale, broccoli, onion, potato, raw apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp of flax oil:

BIG salad - all the veggies you could ever want:

Gluten free oats soaked in distilled water, banana, and lots of veggie juices:

That about sums up the foods you are allowed to eat on Gerson Therapy (and most fruits except berries and pineapple).

Any questions?

Enjoy some new Osho quotes:

"Whatsoever you say about others never shows anything about others, it simply shows something about you." - Osho (brilliant!)

"Really, until you know yourself, you are alone." - Osho

"You cannot find God because he is not somewhere else, he is within you. And there you never look because all the priests say, 'Look there in heaven. He exists far away. The journey is long; the priest will be needed to help you.' He is within you. Then what is needed of the priest? The whole profession loses meaning." - Osho

"Because a Buddha, a Jesus, is always rebellious, he is never a conformist. He can create a revolution, he cannot create an establishment." - Osho

"A really religious man, a master, wants to make you stronger. And a priest is just a cunning man who knows what your weakness is." - Osho

"Postponing is not the way of transformation. Up to now you have been postponing again and again. Each moment you have been postponing, and that's why you have remained the same." - Osho

"A guilty man moves around to find someone to punish him. When no one is punishing him, he feels living more difficult. When someone punishes him, he feels at ease." - Osho

"Man lives in lies. He has to, because he is trying not to accept the whole of his being, only part is accepted. Then what to do about the other part? He has to create some lie to hide it." - Osho

"If you want to be true, you have to change yourself." - Osho

"Man lives in lies, every man, because lies are very convenient, comfortable. Truth is hard, inconvenient, uncomfortable. You can invent your own lie to fit you but you cannot invent the truth." - Osho

"They (Jesus, Buddha, Loa Tzu) have reached the very center of life, they have known. Their knowledge is not through intellect, their knowledge is through being. That's why I call Jesus a man of being, not a man of knowledge." - Osho

Happy Healing!

Osho Quotes and My Crazy Sexy Testamonial

2011-08-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

Supporting the University of Miami during this scandal. Once a Cane, always a Cane! The []_[]

Hi, healers! I want to share with you some of my favorite quotes from the new Osho book I am reading. More to come. Enjoy!

Also, check out my crazy sexy testamonial on Kris' Praise Page. I'm the third one down.

"...prayerfulness means love to the whole. And if you have been a failure in love with an ordinary human being, how can you succeed in your love with the divine?" - Osho

"The more things accumulate, the more life is wasted because they have to be purchased at the cost of life. You are less alive..." - Osho

"And it is very easy and cheap to create an image, but it is very difficult and hard to really be something." - Osho (LOVE this!)

"Many people are ill as an occupation: in the world, fifty percent of illness exists as an occupation. You remain occupied, then you need not face yourself." - Osho

"If you become a light unto yourself you become a light unto others. But that is a blooming, and every body is benefited; knowingly, unknowingly, every body is benefited. You become a blessing." - Osho

"But why is every body so afraid of dying - at the moment of death you will see your whole life has been a wastage." - Osho

"Self-knowledge is the most difficult thing; not because it is difficult, but because you are scared to know about yourself." - Osho

"Unless you attain to the inner unity you will move from one misery to another; from one woman to another, from one man to another, from one life of misery to another life of misery. The change may give you hope, but it is hopeless: the whole affair is hopeless." - Osho

"When the clouds, the thoughts, are not there and the sun shines with full awareness, the world is one." - Osho

"Life follows death just like a wave is followed by a hollow. They are not separate, they are one: the rhythm of one." - Osho

"All boundaries are manmade. There are no boundaries in reality." - Osho

A sage dies fulfilled: then there is no more birth, because then there is no need to come back to the world of experience. You die incomplete, and because of that incompleteness you have to be born again." - Osho

"A saint, a sage, has gone beyond the mind because he understands the futility of it. He has renounced that desire to succeed, to impress others, the desire to be the greatest, the most important, the desire to fulfill the ego." - Osho

"Look for the deathless and remain alert; don't waste your time with that which is not going to endure, don't waste your life for that which is going to change, which is part of the changing world." - Osho

"You can possess only yourself because that will never go away. The being is permanent, eternal; it is timelessly yours. It cannot be taken away from you." - Osho

"Now you feel the pain, the suffering of wasted life, of time lost. Death is coming nearer and soon you will dissolve with your hands empty. This emptiness is inner; you cannot fill it with anything you can get in the world; it cannot be fulfilled unless you get yourself." - Osho

Happy Healing!

More Osho Wisdom and Pictures

2011-08-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! Look at this stainless steel enema kit I just ordered - free of the nasty toxins that plastics, etc. can come with. I'm really living on the edge!!!

My best friend from the University of Miami (GO CANES!) came to visit me last weekend. Here we are representing THE U and just looking plain adorable :-)

AND, today, my GH graduated from his CPE internship. Congrats, Brad! I'm so proud of you!

To end this blog post, I am going to leave you with some Osho wisdom:

"...you start hating yourself. And remember: if you hate yourself you cannot love anybody else. Impossible! How can you love somebody when you hate yourself? If poison exists at the source, it will posion all of your relationships. So you are never able to love anybody.

And remember the second thing which follows as a logical consequence: if you hate yourself, how can you think that anybody is going to love you? If you cannot love yourself, who is going to love you? So you know deep down that nobody is going to love you; and even if somebody tries, you never believe him. You go on looking...he must be deceiving you. How can anybody love you? - you cannot love yourself. Then even if someone loves you, you are skeptical about it, doubtful. You cannot trust, and you will find ways and means to prove that he doesn't love you. And when it is proved, you are at ease, then everything is right.[*POWERFUL*]" - Osho

Happy Healing!

The Miracle You Missed at the Crucifixion of Jesus

2011-08-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

"Christians missed the inner thing that happened at the crucifixion. Only a few can see it. Those who have seen themselves can see what happened at the crucifixion: this man accepted. That was the miracle. This man suffered and accepted, this man suffered and still remained filled with love, that was the miracle. Those who were killing him, murdering him, he could pray even for them. That is the miracle, that is the greatest miracle, the greatest miracle that ever happened on earth.

The last words of Jesus were, 'God, forgive them because they don't know what they are doing. Don't punish them, because they are ignorant.' This is the greatest miracle at the crucifixion: the whole body is suffering and he is dying, yet still filled with love...

This is divine. At the crucifixion he proved he was the son of God, because compassion remained pure. You could not posion his compassion, you could not destroy his prayer, you could not destroy his heart. Whatsoever you did, he accepted you [*Take a lesson from this*]. He would not reject you, even in that moment of suffering and misery he would not reject you. He said, 'Forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing.'" - Osho, The Mustard Seed: The Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus, Commentaries on the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas

The Fundamental Secret to Inner Growth

2011-08-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

"If people avoid you, remember, they are not responsible. Something in you makes them avoid you. If people don't want to meet you, if they find excuses to escape from you, remember, they are not responsible. You must be doing something negative to their energy.

If people seek you, if people become friendly immediately, if people feel a certain affinity - even strangers would like to come and sit close to you, would like to hold your hand, would just like to be with you - that means you must be knowingly or unknowingly helping them. Everybody is burdened with great misery, everybody is under great suffering, everybody's heart is hurting. There is much pain.

Atisha says before you can do this with the whole existence, you will have to start first with yourself. This is one of the fundamental secrets of inner growth. You cannot do anything with others that you have not done in the first place with yourself. You can hurt others if you hurt yourself, you will be a pain in the necks of others if you are a pain in the neck to yourself, you can be a blessing to others only if you are a blessing to yourself.

Whatsoever you can do with others, you must have done to yourself before, because that is the only thing that you can share. You can share only that which you have, you cannot share that which you don't have." - Osho

Happy Healing!

Real Wealth

2011-08-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

"Life is short, energy is limited, very limited. And with this limited energy we have to find the unlimited; with this short life we have to find the eternal. A great task, a great challenge! SO, PLEASE DON'T BE CONCERNED WITH UNIMPORTANT MATTERS.

Remember, only that which you can take with you when you leave the body is important. That means, except meditation, nothing is important, Except awareness, nothing is important, because only awareness cannot be taken away by death. Everything else will be snatched away, because everything else come from without. Only awareness wells up within; that cannot be taken away. And the shadows of awareness - compassion, love - they cannot be taken away; they are intrinsic parts of awareness.

You will be taking with you only whatsoever awareness you have attained; that is your only real wealth. All else is 'ill-th' not 'well-th.'" - Osho

Don't forget to check out my coffee enema post.

Happy Healing!

My Coffee Enema Routine

2011-08-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! I promised many of you that I would explain my coffee enema routine once I was done with a piece for a social work magazine that I was asked to write (so flattered!). I'll see if I can post it on my blog for you all to read.

So, here it is. You use an UNBLEACHED coffee filter, 3 scoops of ORGANIC coffee, and 4 cups of water. Brew. Then, you add filtered water to the coffee you just brewed so that it equals 4 cups again:

**DON'T FORGET TO LET THE COFFEE COOL TO ROOM TEMPERATURE**

Next, you add it to your enema bag and hang from a doorknob or somewhere above you. After you are settled, laying on your right side, you insert the tube into your anus (use a natural lubricant) and let 2 cups of the coffee and filtered water mixture enter into your lower intestine. Clamp the tube shut. Hold for 10-15 minutes, then hurry to the toilet!!! And repeat with the rest:

I settle in with my ipod, a good book, and my pillow pet:

To clean the enema bag and tube where you inserted, you want to use a mixture of peroxide and filtered water. I also drink coconut water to replenish any lost electrolytes.

Remember, you always want to check with your doctor if you think you have any health conditions that might be aggrivated by coffee enemas. This is just what I do. Everyone is different.

Questions? Don't forget you can use my formspring page, too.

Happy Healing!

How to Love & How to Say Good-Bye

2011-08-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

“The man who knows how to live, knows how to die. The man who knows how to fall in love, knows when the moment has come to fall out of it. He falls out of it gracefully, with good-bye, with gratitude – but only the man who knows how to love.

People don’t know how to love, and then they don’t know how to say good-bye when the time has come to say it. If you love you will know that everything begins and everything ends, and there is a time for beginning and there is a time for ending, and there is no wound in it. One is not wounded. One simply knows the season is over. One is not in despair, only simply understands, one thanks the other, “You gave me so many beautiful gifts. You gave me new visions of life, you opened a few windows that I might have never opened on my own. Now the time has come that we separate and our ways part.” Not in anger, not in rage, not with a grudge, not with any complaint, but with tremendous gratitude, with great love, with thankfulness from the heart.” - Osho

Happy Healing!

Real Happiness & Real Love

2011-08-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

“Remember, if you repress something, you have to repress it constantly – day in and day out, year in and year out. And the problem is not solved by repressing. In fact, it becomes more and more acute, chronic, because whatsoever is repressed becomes more and more powerful. It gathers energy. It becomes a tumor inside of you.

Surrender is out of love… Dependency is out of fear. It [surrender] is like falling in love. In fact, it is exactly falling in love – a love that knows no bounds, a love that is totally different from what you ordinarily call love. Your love is again a kind of dependency. You become dependent on the person you love, because in fact, you don’t love, you are simply finding somebody to cling to; otherwise you feel very lonely. You want to avoid your loneliness, you want somebody to fill your inner black hole, your emptiness.

But real love is not an escape from loneliness, real love is an overflowing aloneness. One is so happy in being alone that one would like to share – happiness always wants to share… Surrender is the highest form of love. You will not feel dependent because there will be no clinging in it. You will not feel dependent because it is not out of loneliness that you have surrendered.” - Osho

Happy Healing and Loving!

Spurious Pleasures

2011-08-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

“Why in the first place do you run after spurious pleasures? This woman, this man…why do you run after spurious pleasures? What is the rationale behind it? The rationale is that you are already in sorrow. You want somehow to forget all about it; you want to drown yourself in alcohol, in sex, in money, in power politics – you want to somehow drown yourself.

A few people drown in power politics, a few seek shelter in sexuality, a few go to the pub, but many more simply go on searching spurious comforts, go from one comfort to another. When they have achieved one and found that it gives nothing, no nourishment, immediately they start seeking something else. Their life becomes a constant occupation so they need not look at the inner sorrow gathering like a cloud, a dark cloud. (love that)

Rather than seek spurious comforts, the best way to go is to go into your sorrow. Meditate, go deep into it. Don’t escape from your misery because by escaping you will never learn what it is and you will never learn how to transcend it. The beauty is, if you really know the cause of your misery, in that very knowing misery is transcended – because the cause is always always ignorance and nothing else.” - Osho: The Book of Tibetan Wisdom

Happy Healing!

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/31/11

2011-07-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Today's Random Thoughts -7/30/11

2011-07-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/29/11

2011-07-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/28/11

2011-07-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Skyscraper

2011-07-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Skyscraper by Demi Lovato

Skies are crying
I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence as it’s ending, like we never had a chance
Do you have to, make me feel like there is nothing left of me?

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass
Like I’m made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper!
Like a skyscraper!

As the smoke clears
I awaken, and untangle you from me
Would it make you, feel better to watch me while I bleed?
All my windows, still are broken
But I’m standing on my feet

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am

Like I’m made of glass
Like I’m made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper!
Like a skyscraper!

Go run, run, run
I’m gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear, yeah
Go run, run, run
Yeah it’s a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I’m made of glass
Like I’m made of paper, Oh
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground

Like a skyscraper!

Such a beautiful message. Enjoy!

Happy Healing!

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/26/11

2011-07-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/25/11

2011-07-25T05:48:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Still Going Gerson

2011-07-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! Look what my talented friend, Billy, made for me! It's me inside of a juicer:

Besides for all the juicing I've been doing on Gerson Therapy, I've been enjoying my favorite green smoothie - raw cocao nibs, blueberries, hemp milk, chocolate sunwarrior raw vegan protein powder, lots of spinach, and stevia to taste.

And, of course, I'm still doing my coffee enemas:

I'm up to two times a day, but it's actually four seperate enemas held in for 10-15 minutes each time. Fun, fun! I just put my ipod on and let the time pass.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Healing!

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/22/11

2011-07-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/23/11

2011-07-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/21/11

2011-07-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

(SOURCE)

Coffee Enemas and Pain Reduction - Gerson Therapy

2011-07-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

(Source)

Hi, healers!

Check out Jessica Ainscough's post on The Gerson Tapes. I was going to write a similar post when I received the same e-mail, but she did a beautiful job sharing this important information. Check out her bio, too, where she explains how Gerson Therapy saved her arm and her life from an aggressive form of cancer.

The beauty of the coffee enemas for me is that I feel a significant reduction in pain after doing one.

"The coffee enema has a specific purpose: to decrease serum
toxins.

Repeatedly, I have seen the therapy stop headaches,
migraines, and pain crisis in their tracks! It is the best treatment for pain as
well as detoxing the liver and whole lymphatic system.

Many cancer patients, who have been on morphine, have discontinued its use
once starting the coffee enemas. "The caffeine dilates the hemorrhoidal blood
vessels, which in turn, dilate the portal veins of the liver. Simultaneously,
the bile ducts expand with blood, the bile flow increases, and the smooth
muscles of these internal organs relax. The blood serum and its many
components are detoxified as this vital fluid passes through the caffeinated
liver. The quart of water being retained in the bowel stimulates the
visceral nervous system, promoting peristalsis. The water delivered through the
bowel dilutes the bile and causes an even greater increase in bile flow. There
is a flushing of toxic bile which is further affected by the body's enzymactic
catalyst known to physiologists as glutathione S-transferase. The GST is
increased in quantity in the small bowel by 700%, which is an excellent
physiological effect, because this enzyme quenches free radicals." The Gerson
Therapy, p. 159." - Source

Worth looking into!

Happy Healing!

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/20/11

2011-07-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Source

Maybe That's Why I Fell Into You - Endings as Beginnings

2011-07-19T04:03:00.000-07:00

Source

Hi, healers! I'm still going strong with Gerson Therapy (24 days) and finding it to be an absolute miracle. Ditching caffeine (besides for the coffee enemas) and sugar (besides for some fruits here and there) has made a tremendous difference in my inflammation and pain. Remember, Gerson Therapy is raw vegan - heavy on the dark leafy greens - just like the Crazy Sexy Diet. The only exceptions are the coffee enemas and the large amount of green juice. I've been having these tremendous moments of normalcy spliced throughout the days here and there where I feel little to no pain. It's thrilling!

I've also been learning some important lessons about myself lately. Without going into detail, everything in this life happens for a reason - to teach us something about ourselves, our higher power, others, and/or the world around us - to bring us closer to enlightenment. Endings are really beginnings so be grateful that the universe is giving you the opportunity to graduate from one lesson to the next. Often, when we've exhausted the options in a particular situation, it is a sign to look for the lesson, be grateful for that gift, and move on to new, better, more fulfilling opportunities. We don't need to understand why everything happens, we just need to be able to ask ourselves, "What is the lesson in this?"

"Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of
luck." – The 14th Dalai Lama

I'm preparing a new post for crazysexylife.com (an old, modified Going Down Swinging post) about how to survive under graduate and post graduate degrees with chronic illnesses, pain, and disability. Now that I have a master's degree and passed my licensing exam, I thought this would be the perfect time to inspire others who are in the thick of it.

Let me know if you have any questions or would like me to elaborate on any one topic. Don't forget you can use my formspring page to ask questions or browse through the 650 answers already available.

Here's a great post about coffee enemas.

Enjoy some adorable pictures of Adalyn:

Happy Healing!

A Few Pictures and A Small Update

2011-07-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! I've been seeing really wonderful improvements following Gerson Therapy. My pain isn't gone, but it is MUCH lower on a consistent basis than it has been. I'd say I average a 4-5 when it used to be 7-10 (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst pain). Yipee! This allows me to consistently do more yoga and challenge myself a little.

I can do this full yoga pose, FINALLY! I am so proud of myself :-)

Lexi and Me:

I'm still doing the Gerson protocol. Here is one of my juices:

The finished product:

Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything you would like me to write about. I can finally do some pleasure writing and update my blog on a consistent basis now that I am done with graduate school and passed my board exam.

Happy Healing!

Feels Good!

2011-07-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! I am STILL beyond thrilled that I passed my licensing exam. It feels so strange not having any studying or paper writing to do for the first time in twenty-something years! The good news is that I have been given the opportunity to write a piece for a social work publication. That will scratch my writing itch for now :-)

I am continuing Gerson Therapy and spending care free (no more studying!!!!) time with the people I care about. I am recovering from a difficult but rewarding three years of graduate school. It hit me the other day that I have had three inpatient hospital stays since the time I was accepted into my master's program (not to mention countless doctor appointments and outpatient treatments). I was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS and accepted into my master's program at the same exact time. BUT, I did it! Time to soak up my achievements! I couldn't have done it without my loved ones and God/Source/Spirit/Creator.

My friend's beautiful little nieces and me:

Shorter lounging by our pool:

Butt buddies:

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. You can use my formspring page if you want to remain anonymous.

Happy Healing!

I'M LICENSED!

2011-07-08T04:55:00.000-07:00

Hi, healers! I DID IT! I passed my board exam! I'M LICENSED!!!!!! All of that hard work and endless hours of studying paid off BIG TIME. I'm so thrilled and relieved!

It was a 170 question, four hour exam, and I finished it in two hours exactly. Us RSDers can't waste any time. Time is pain. I started to become uncomfortable around 90 minutes, so I said a little prayer for patience and concentration to get through the last quarter of the exam. It worked!

Addie came over to swim in our pool Monday. Here we are having a blast:

I'm going to rest my brain - FINALLY! - and focus on continuing the Gerson technique and everything else that has to do with my healing.

Happy Healing!

Going Down Swinging: A RSD/CRPS Blog

Do You Have to Struggle or Can You Learn Through Joy?

My MindBodyGreen Post: 5 Tips to Unlearn & Liberate Yourself

Healing vs. Curing

20 Facts You Might be Surprised to Learn About Me

Chronic Illness and Friendships

My 6 Tips for Surviving Winter with a Chronic Illness

Job Applications and Surrendering to Divine Will

How to Maintain a Positive Outlook as a Young Woman Living with a Chronic Disease

Christmas and New Year's

Spin-Off: How to Deal with Unwanted and Unsolicited Comments About Your Health Challenge

How to Deal with Criticism from Family and Friends Concerning Veganism

Giveaway Winners + My Juice Routine in Detail

Thanksgiving and Birthday

My Personal Take on Gratitude this Thanksgiving - From Hospice to RSD

NuNaturals Stevia Giveaway!

My Daily Schedule + A Vlog

Gerson, Good News, and Holiday Requests

My Guest Blog Post on All Things Detoxification

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - The Long, Courageous Road to Feeling Gorgeous

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Coffee Enemas

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Living Fully with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis

Snow White, Pancakes, & Progress

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Diet and Lifestyle DO Matter (the male perspective)

Join Kris Carr and the crazysexylife.com team as we say "Prevention is HOT!" this November

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - ﻿ Healthy Boundaries are Gorgeous

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - ﻿ Finding Beauty In Diversity

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Be Aware of the Impacts You Make on Others

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Lessons on Gorgeousness from a New Mommy

Dr. Oz, Death with Dignity, and Me

My Appearance on the Dr. Oz Show Wednesday

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - The "Miss Representation" of Women

My "Good Health is Gorgeous" Campaign

Indian Summer

My ChronicBabe.com article

Pictures and Boundaries

I Don't Identify with Disease

Great Expectations

Why Forgive?

The Energy Sucking Narcissist

Cute Pictures

Gerson Therapy

Progress! Curing the Incurable!

Gerson Foods and Osho Quotes

Osho Quotes and My Crazy Sexy Testamonial

More Osho Wisdom and Pictures

The Miracle You Missed at the Crucifixion of Jesus

The Fundamental Secret to Inner Growth

Real Wealth

My Coffee Enema Routine

How to Love & How to Say Good-Bye

Real Happiness & Real Love

Spurious Pleasures

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/31/11

Today's Random Thoughts -7/30/11

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/29/11

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/28/11

Skyscraper

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/26/11

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/25/11

Still Going Gerson

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/22/11

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/23/11

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/21/11

Coffee Enemas and Pain Reduction - Gerson Therapy

Today's Random Thoughts - 7/20/11

Maybe That's Why I Fell Into You - Endings as Beginnings

A Few Pictures and A Small Update

Feels Good!

I'M LICENSED!

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Healthy Boundaries are Gorgeous

"Good Health is Gorgeous" - Finding Beauty In Diversity