Your presence is requested...

I love my solitude.

via Flickr

And I love being around other people.

It's another one of those dichotomies that life is full of.


What makes my interactions with others flow that much easier is my moments of solitude. The peace that I gain from a conscious withdrawal that is focused on my inner self, allows my extroverted outer personality not to get swept up in the many distractions that life can offer.

It also gives me the ability to be completely present when I am around others.

Presence provides insight and clarity around interactions. It allows your intuition to strengthen. Best of all, presence strengthens your personal sense of power. Your ability to direct your life in a manner that reflects your highest thoughts.

image via Alaska in Pictures

When we're not fully present in this very moment, our subconscious dominates and causes us to  re act to our surroundings. We play out immature behaviours and retell the stories of our past hurts and disappointments in every action that we take.

This narrative of the past dominates and supports a thought system that acts only to draw us away from the present moment into a cycle of repetition. It fuels concerns and anxieties about our future; destroys our healthy connections to others; and puts up walls to communication.

image via nairaland

We become basic in our behaviours.

Our responses to others when we're in this state are not well thought and can quite often be irrational, simply because we're re acting rather than inter acting. We're unknowingly weaving all of these irrelevant aspects of the past into our present moment and confusing the issue at hand.

Physiological responses are triggered by anxiety, and whether it's high stakes stress, or the just as damaging low grade but constant worry, it's still causing the body to respond in a way that is not ideal.

So how do we put an end to these thought processes?

"Keep some of your attention within. Don't let it all flow out.


Feel your whole body from within... as if you were listening or reading with your whole body." (Eckhart Tolle)




The best solutions are the most simple:

Meditate regularly





If you find yourself too distracted to sit quietly and focus on your breath, with some relaxing music in the background, then get outside and exercise.

image via tooniq8

Walk, cycle or run. Hit a yoga class or practice QiGong in a nearby park. Repeat some affirmations while you do it, but make sure you do it.

Approach it with discipline and commitment and your presence will increase.


So when are you next meditating?

Twitter comp for Friday Freebie

These things are running out the door at the moment and it's because we're in the peak of hot summer days here in sunny Portland.

image via footsies

Swollen feet in summer can be caused simply by standing, walking or sitting for too long. To reduce swelling in the feet, raise the feet whenever possible. If you're sitting for a prolonged period then raise your heels and toes alternately to exercise the area and stimulate the flow of fluids.

Swelling of the feet may also indicate health issues so see your GP if it's ongoing and you're unsure what the cause is. A naturopath can provide you with dietary tips on how to reduce swelling of the feet and there are remedies available which can help improve circulation to the area but make sure you're drinking enough water.

image via footsies

Natural Abundance Health is giving away a pack of 20 Footsies Foot Patches: Tranquility valued at $45 (including P&H) as a one off because this product is so popular with our valued customers.

Here's what you have to do...
Start following twitter.com/naturalabundanc, if you're not doing so already.

Then answer the question "How are you keeping cool this summer?" with @naturalabundanc in your tweet.

We'll announce the winner on the @naturalabundanc Twitter page as well as DM the winner as soon as we hit 50 followers. If you're the winner please check your DM and be sure to send us your postal address with a return DM. We will post the item to you the following business day from when we receive your postal details. Limited to one entry per person/twitter address.

Have you tried Footsies yet?

Tweet for Friday Freebies Fine Print:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER, PLAY OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING but we always love customers who purchase goods from us.

DESCRIPTION OF GIVEAWAY: Via online method only, entrants will have the opportunity to win one pack of Footsies Foot Patches: Tranquility from Natural Abundance Health valued at $45 (including P&H). Entrants must be a follower of @naturalabundanc on twitter.com and must answer the questions: How are you keeping cool this summer? Entries will be accepted starting Friday 4th February 2011 and will extend until @naturalabundanc reaches 50 followers.

ELIGIBILITY: The Natural Abundance Health Friday Freebie is open only to people who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Giveaway is not applicable where prohibited or restricted by law. Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, visit www.twitter.com/ and become a follower of @naturalabundanc. Then, respond to the questions: How are you keeping cool this summer? Contestants are encouraged to retweet but doing so is not a requirement of this offer. Winner will be notified via the @naturalabundanc page. You will be required to contact Natural Abundance Health by direct message via twitter within seven days if you have been notified you are a winner. If you don't send us your postal address we can't get your prize to you. Limit one (1) entry per person/twitter address. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of Natural Abundance Health, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent on fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

Some fab tips on preventing breast pain for nursing mothers

The very gorgeous Cherie who goes by the blog moniker of Natural Mama has earlier today posted some fabulous tips for nursing mothers which I think are worth sharing with you.

If you're a parent then her blog is absolutely worth dropping into. Cherie shares her experience of instinctive parenting and the many resources which support her approaches, in an easily understood way.

image via isiria

As well as sharing her journey in parenting, Cherie has provided some rather nifty resources. Check out her very cool flow chart to help you identify causes of breast pain. It's in an easy to follow format but, as Cherie suggests, get in contact with a Lactation Consultant via the Australian Breastfeeding Association if you're not already.

Salicylate Intolerance

Salicylates (pronounced sal-iss-a-lates) are naturally occurring chemicals found in plants, that assist the plant in defending itself against attack from bacteria, disease, fungi and insects. These compounds are found in many foods and make it difficult to measure exposure to salicylates.

image via healing autism and adhd

Salicylates occur in greater quantities in hard and under ripe fruits. The salicylate content of under ripe fruits decreases with ripening.

image via real simple

Salicylates are also found in higher concentrations in the outer leaves of vegetables and just below the skins of fruits and vegetables. This is why ripe peeled pears are allowed during the salicylate elimination diet and hard, unpeeled pears are not.

image via ayurvedic cure

Low salicylate foods include:

• peeled pear, banana (but not lady finger or sugar banana), papaya and paw paw, golden delicious apple, nashi pear and lime

• peeled potato and swede, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, celery, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, choko, peas and green beans, shallots, chives, parsley and leek

• most dried beans and lentils

Remember to peel vegies and remove the outer leaves of leafy veg (even with low salicylate foods) to reduce the overall salicylate intake. For a more extensive list of salicylates in foods take a look here.


Elimination and food testing is the only reliable method for discovering food intolerance, and is best undertaken with the support of a knowledgeable health practitioner.

image via this is london

Salicylate intolerance is fairly common but not well diagnosed. Many asthmatics know to avoid aspirin, as it is a salicylate compound which may lead to asthma attack. Salicylate intolerance can contribute to and result in:

• asthma, sinus congestion or runny nose
• skin irritation or rash, including eczema
• joint pain and arthritis
• headache or migraine
• rapid heart beat, palpitation and arrhythmia
• digestive discomfort including bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, and flatulence
• behavioural problems including restlessness and inability to concentrate, oppositional defiance
• panic attacks, anxiety and depression
• sleep disturbance (including sleep apnoea, bed wetting, frequent waking and night terrors)

This is a short list of symptoms, but also fairly broad in it's description. For many people, a low salicylate diet will completely eliminate the symptoms that are a direct result of intolerance.

The elimination diet

The best way to discover a salicylate intolerance is to avoid all foods that are high in salicylates for a minimum period of one month. Eat sparingly from moderate salicylate foods, but fill the diet with foods that are low in, or have no salicylates. This will allow the body to eliminate the compounded effects of salicylates, which are dose dependent and build up over time. If you notice a marked difference when high salicylate foods are eliminated, you are half way to discovering which specific foods are to be avoided. If you notice no difference, then it could be that there is a reaction to compounds other than salicylates, or, you are not being strict enough with your elimination.

The food test

After a month of total elimination, you can slowly reintroduce salicylate foods one at a time, waiting and watching for symptoms over a few days. This is known as food testing. Once you see a reaction to the food (and it won't be immediate, it can take a few days for symptoms to appear and disappear, but you will notice a clear difference), you will know which foods you can tolerate in small amounts and which you are best avoiding altogether.

A practitioner who knows about elimination diets and is familiar with salicylate intolerance will be able to guide you and support you through the process. Call or email me for more information on this, and other, elimination diets.

Do you have symptoms of salicylate intolerance?

Taking Responsiblity

Responsibility is a word that's common enough and one that is worth reflecting on... It implies an ownership of sorts and reflects accountability. Knowing what we're accountable for is one of the first steps in taking responsibility.

image via all left turns

In technical terms the Locus of Control refers to how people internalise personal responsibility, versus attributing accountability to a source that is external to them. Some people place control of their life in a higher being and many others, place the results of their life in their upbringing, the teacher who didn't help them, or others who have wronged them.

image via jokes and humour

This is where many people suffer conflict. Not understanding personal responsibilities brings confusion, chaos and distraction. This same lack of personal responsibility can occur at the physical level when people eat without thinking, or don't make time to get up and be active in their physical lives.

image via natural health hoodia

Doing this in the shorter term might make you feel a bit tired, or at it's worst unwell. Over the longer term, the internal workings of your body will become worn down faster, and bad health will result.

image via health mad

Regardless of your beliefs, your history, or your upsets, once you grow up you are responsible for how you perceive yourself and for what you create for yourself. You are also responsible for your actions toward others.

image via parenting thoughts

If you perceive yourself as lowly, or incapable or fearful, you will create a life that reflects your thoughts. A life that you don't value, where you are too afraid to try things you've never experienced. By the same thinking, if you treat people poorly and live a life without expressing compassion, understanding and forgiveness you'll attract people who support your beliefs and invest in the outward expressions of your beliefs. People who for whatever reasons, are in a similar position to the one you've created where conflict and fear dominate choice, and a sense of powerlessness around the behaviour of other people rules your decisions.

image via thinking out loud

If you perceive yourself as capable, loving and peaceful then you will create for yourself a reality that reflects your inner thoughts and be better equipped to deal with the life challenges that we all need to face. You will find yourself drawn to people who are capable of lifting you up and helping you to be the best you can be. And, best of all, you will find yourself doing the same for others.

image via wired

Identifying yourself as capable can often take a lot of deep personal work, or it can be a very simple decision. Either way, it requires constant vigilance and very few people arrive at this understanding without vast life experience and the distinct acquisition of wisdom that is entirely optional at all stages of the life experience. As we grow in capability, our responsibilities become clearer to us.

image via sia hq

Understanding clear healthy boundaries and knowing how to assert them successfully is an enormous part of the work involved (and worthy of further musing at a later date). It's a constant job this human experience, but one that can be filled with love and joy if we make that choice for ourself.



What responsibilities limit your relationships to other people?  What responsibilities limit your relationships to food?  What responsibilities limit your relationships to exercise?  What responsibilities define your relationships to other people?  What responsibilities define your relationships to food?  What responsibilities define your relationships to exercise?

Love is all around

This is one of my BFF's favourite songs. She loves the Wet Wet Wet version, but I didn't know it was a cover until I searched it on YouTube!



ENjoy!

Breakfast for kidlets

Researchers have observed children eating breakfast at several summer camps in the United States and published their findings in this week's Paediatrics Journal. Their aim was to record whether children would eat low sugar prepared breakfast cereals, and how consumption was affected by sugar intake.

image via balancing motherhood

Children who ate high sugar breakfasts ate significantly larger portions and were less likely to choose fruit to add to their cereals, than their low sugar consuming counterparts. Even when sugar was added by the participants to their cereals, the low sugar participants added greater volumes of sugar but still came out lower (by almost half) in their overall sugar consumption at breakfast.

image via almighty dad

Children who ate a low sugar breakfast consumed a larger portion of their calories from the fresh fruit available. All children reported "liking" or "loving" their breakfast but when asked to rate high sugar cereals alongside low sugar cereals, high sugar obviously won. So is the best solution then, to only offer low sugar cereals?

image via aussie favourites

I would suggest that prepared breakfast cereals are not the best choice for breakfasts (see below) but if necessary, then make a choice for low sugar as well as low salt. Last year Choice compared and published the nutritional content of a range of Australian breakfast cereals including all cereals marketed directly at children. They used the traffic light system to act as a guide for appropriate levels of saturated fats, sugars and salt. Very few cereals passed the review.

In this week's research the difference between high sugar and low sugar groups was clear in nutritional outcomes. What are you children eating for breakfast?

image via american feast

NOTE: for a healthy breakfast start with fresh fruit and live yoghurt (with no sugar added). Add a boiled egg and some sourdough, or homemade bircher muesli to fill up further. For a breakfast on the run, a fibre filled berry smoothie could be another option. Enjoy!