Core Connections Healing

The Master Cleanse begins!

2012-02-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

So its that time of year again where I partake in my twice yearly cleanse. I usually do a full detox/ cleanse just after the summer, and close to the end of winter.

I'm going to start before the end of winter, because the Lenten season is earlier than usual. I find fasting helps not only the body, and mind to let go of the unnecessary junk and negative thoughts, but also lightens the spirit allowing for greater awareness to emerge.

When you fast your digestive system is given a huge holiday. So in essence you are allowing the energy that normally would go into digesting , assimilating and eliminating the food, to be directed to other processes, primarily detoxification.

Tips for cleansing:

Depending on what type of fast or cleanse you do, you will achieve different results. Not every cleanse is the same, and you should choose one according to your needs and goals. If you have never done a cleanse, are eating poorly, smoke, and drink alcohol it would not be advisable to start right off the bat on a water or juice fast. That would cause more stress to your system than good.

New to cleansing?

Decide where you are at with your health and diet. Perhaps you have gone to see your holistic health practitioner or doctor and been told your blood lipids were high (cholesterol) or your sugars are high (sign of possible Diabetes) or your blood pressure is high. You know you don't feel all too good, and lack the energy to get through your busy day. So now you have come to terms that lifestyle changes are a must.

Well begin with your diet. Clean it up. Get rid of anything that comes in a box, carton, bag, and can. It's all processed. Do that for a few months, along with incorporating psyllium fiber daily, superfoods and appropriate supplements such as PROBIOTICS. This way you prepare the digestive system for deeper cleansing. Shocking the body in any way, only serves to depress the immune system. And that is not the aim of cleansing.

Have you cleansed before? Looking for something deeper?

101 on the Master Cleanse:

I've been on cleanses numerous times, and have tried quite a few different types. My good friend Zak mentioned The Master Cleanse and I got curious. I've done some research on it and it seems like a good way to reset the metabolism, eliminate cravings, encourage gentle detoxification, and improve total energy levels, and vitality. So I'm in.

It is basically a 10-15 day fast where you drink a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water throughout the day. It is not a no calorie or water fast. The maple syrup provides essential nutrients and calories. The combination of these ingredients is the key. All act synergistically to pull toxins from organs and cells.

You are encouraged to drink additional pure filtered water in addition to the lemonade. I would aim for 2-3L. Yes sounds like a lot, but during a cleanse you want to maximize the detoxification process as best as possible.

In addition to this a salt water flush daily is suggested to encourage the bowels to do their work.

The Master Cleanse relies on the premise of using the live enzymes from the lemon juice as alkalinizing catalysts. These encourage the liver and whole digestive tract to release toxic build up and restore organ functions.

Who should not do the Master Cleanse:

Pregnant or nursing mothers
Those recovering from an intense illness
Diabetics dependant on insulin
Those who have done very few cleanses or none at all
Those that require food to be taken with medications
Those looking for a quick fix to their weight problem. This is not intended to be used temporarily as a great way to fit into that dress for the wedding next week. The goal is to continue eating healthy, and not resort to the junk food lifestyle afterwards.

I'll blog about my Master Cleanse experience next week. I'm aiming for 7 days. It's my first time and it will be interesting what will unfold. We'll see how it goes...

If you have done it and want to offer your account and experience I would love to hear your story. Reply or email me at harmonyofhealing@gmail.com

Love and Light,

Namaste

Piera

Urban Yogi Wellness retreat in Dominican Republic

2012-02-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

Ola mis amigos! I'm soooooooo excited!!!

I've got great news! My friend and colleague Zak Lioutas (check out her awesome site at www.zoewellness.com) , and I have organized an incredibly amazing retreat for anyone who is wanting a week of play, yummy healthy eating and a break from the Urban concrete jungle. We offer you an opportunity to awaken to your true Self, eat yummy whole food, learn some practical Zen tools for managing stress and healing disease, and you'll have a TON OF FUN in the process.

You are an Urban Yogi!

Ya?

You dig the city vibes, and live the urban groove and yet part of you feels a little disconnected from your inner Yogi. You know that inner part of you that loves a great yoga practice or wants to learn yoga, enjoys noshing on a goji smoothie and really craves a great hike away from anything remotely resembling a traffic light. The inner Yogi in you loves to commune with nature and feels refreshed and rejuvenated by it, especially after months at your desk and cubicle confines.

You even dabble in some quiet meditation practice and wish you knew how to incorporate it more into your crazy schedule. So when the fluorescents above you, have you drained and you feel the grind is just taking its toll, what does an Urban Yogi need to do?

RETREAT, RESTORE AND REJUVENATE!!

This retreat is for those of you who want to live more naturally, eat food that is not only tasty but completely supportive of your wellness needs, and learn how to incorporate some Zen and Yogic principles without resorting to unrealistic measures. We'll show you how you can Zen out and be the bliss and not have to give up chocolate, or sit on meditation pillows and chant all day long.

This retreat is also for those of you who:

Want a vacation in a eco friendly and sustainable resort, that offers completely organic food, amazing sites to visit including waterfalls and pristine private beaches and all the natural beauty that a tropical heaven has to offer. Check out the resort at : www.tubagua.com

Enjoys practicing yoga and wishes to deepen their meditation practice. Every morning you will practice a Vinyasa or Hatha style yoga/meditation practice that will set your whole Self in the right direction. All levels can partake! You will also learn how to incorporate mindfulness and present moment awareness into your daily life. We will offer you tools that you can take back home and keep the process of your Self growth flourishing.

Really wants to learn about managing the stress in their lives. If you are tired of feeling tired, unhappy in life, looking to change and don't simply know how or where to start, then you must join us for an adventure of your life! Living with more joy and abundance is truly possible.

Serious about learning new lifestyle habits that promote prevention of disease, healthy whole food nutrition, and the healing of our physical, emotional and spiritual dis-eases. Healthy eating doesn't have to be bland, boring or rely on expensive "superfoods". We'll offer a plethora of recipies, and you'll have 3 full cooking lessons using organic and yummy foods.

AND LOTS OF FUN!!! We encourage lots of play time and fun island
excursions that will bring you closer to the latin vibe and culture like never before. We also offer nightlife party fun for those of you wanna get groovy on the dance floor. We're all about BALANCE.

Nothing is set in stone. You may choose to opt out of some activities or not do yoga one morning. That is fine, and we want you to honour your own process and needs. We want you to listen to that Yogi within ;) If you need some extra me time and want to just chill for the afternoon, its your choice. But I'm sure you'll fall in love with us so much you won't want to let go.... ;)

So that is a teaser. Stay tuned for more information and a Youtube video blog coming soon!

Spaces are limited to a small group of 15. So come join us! And REMEMBER this is a vacation that won't just remain in sunny Dominican Republic. You'll transform and be living the experience for the rest of your life!

Love you all,

Namaste

Piera

What if you waited 24 hours?

2012-01-31T14:56:00.000-08:00

Currently I'm writing a book about healing and it outlines a program I have created based on the cases I've seen in practice and from years of reading eastern philosophical and medical literature.

Osho is one of my great inspirations, as his work is profoundly insightful and universally relevant to all people. He is one of the few mystics that didn't claim guru status or claimed he was divinely sent here.

In a discussion he gave, he mentioned an interesting way to process one's own anger. He told a story about a man who told his son to wait 24 hours before reacting to someone who instilled anger within him. After waiting 24 hours, he was told to just say and respond with whatever came to him in that moment.

Just think about that.

What if one waited 24 hours before lashing out on their spouse because they forgot to take out the garbage? What if one waited 24 hours before taking it out on the kids because they had a brutal day at work? What if one waited 24 hours before insulting, belittling, or throwing something back at another's face out of irrational anger ? What if we waited even 2 minutes before lashing out on restaurant server because they may have mistaken our order?

I bet the response would be quite a distinctly less abrasive one. Perhaps 24 hours would allow one to remember we all are human and capable of making mistakes. Perhaps 24 hours would allow one to access their compassionate muscles and clearly yet kindly state how they felt hurt or what they couldn't accept from the other. More significantly, maybe 24 hours would allow someone to remember they too could have done the same thing, given the same situation and that perhaps the other didn't harbour malicious intentions against them to begin with.

Give it a go.

Next time someone fails to meet your "expectations", or you feel angered by what they said or didn't say or what they did or didn't do, wait 24 hours before doing or saying anything. This may take quite some effort if you typically are one to instantly rage back. You may feel this may weaken you or create the doormat stance, but essentially you are empowering yourself instead of giving it away to the other.

Here's why:

The moment you lash out, or react to another you have communicated out of your Ego and thus your smaller self. You have signalled to the other that they have the power to trigger you and set you off your balance.

The more core connected you are, the greater is your sense of self esteem, power and worth. When you stray from that center, you actually become weak and operate from a place of fear. Anyone who is angry, is actually a very scared person. It's a method of compensating to hide that internal insecurity they are so vehemently trying to deny.

24 hours may give you the time to take some deep breaths, feel the compassion within you and ultimately operate through the love in your heart. Which is essentially the answer to all of our suffering.

What a world it would be if we even just took a moment to stop, and take a full breath before jumping the gun. Perhaps love would be given the space to come through and heal the hurt. Perhaps we might discover how possible it is to let go and let love do its job.

In health always,

Piera

Namaste

Wherever you go there you are.

2012-01-29T11:32:00.000-08:00

We can't run away from ourselves. We convince ourselves that by moving to another place, leaving a job, going on a vacation, running to the gym or the fridge will solve the problem. At best they serve as coping mechanisms for the psyche and temporarily give a sense of relief so we don't feel like we will fall apart entirely on the spot.

Running away from ourselves eventually brings us right back to facing ourselves again. Most often its pretty abrupt too boot. Seems ironic? Well, you just can't run to anywhere, or to anything and believe all those tangled webs you weaved will magically go away. Wherever you go, there you are.

You bring all the yucky, painful or messy stuff, which you believe is not yours, but theirs, with you wherever you go. Ever wonder why you attract similar situations and relationships in your life? If you don't do the unraveling of those inner webs of your own issues, it won't matter which relationship, job or geographical location you jump into next. Because you will still be operating through the filter of those webs.

I'm not dissing change or believe we can't start new chapters in our lives. But from what energy or place are you starting the change from? Begin the change from a place of Self love and self respect and you have a solid ground to move from. Growth relies on change. And the change must be one you make from within, and how you see your world and circumstances.

We keep wanting to change the other. This could be our significant love partner, a family member, a boss, or friend. It's completely futile. Either leave the relationship and let go entirely of its history, or look within to see what is it in you that gets triggered when the other does or says something that displeases you. Do you perhaps do the same?

Remember this isn't about self blame. I'm not promoting that at all. Our relationships are MIRRORS to our own selves. When you look at another, you see only through your own filters, bias, perceptions and "stuff". When you clear your "stuff", everything and everyone starts to look different.

No one can make you feel disrespected, hurt, less than, not enough, unattractive, depressed or the many other various emotions or states we can experience. They just can't. If we allow our thoughts to define everything we do, we become completely identified with a false entity. Which in psychology is called the Ego. The Ego can be really nasty when its left to its own devices.

That has to stop.

Start to sit still and in silence. Sit with yourself, stop running away and just be there for you. We seem to be there for everyone else, and yet we aren't giving the most important person the time to be and heard.

What happens when you don't acknowledge the needs of child and ignore them? They suffer from neglect and all the ramifications of not being loved. We do this to ourselves day after day after day.

This has to stop.

My suggestion- develop a practical mediation practice you can incorporate daily. Even just 5 minutes morning and night is profoundly healing.

Sitting meditation practice helps us to first become aware of our mind, its nature and its insanity. With time you learn you don't have to partake in that insanity. You can just observe it and let it go, and move on to what brings you real joy in life. You are not those negative thoughts the mind will have you believe you are. Have compassion for all of you, and watch how your life soars in awesome directions you didn't think were possible.

You are the beautiful essence that lies still and so centred at your very core. An essence that is eternal, all knowing, and infallible. That too is with you wherever you go :)

In health always,

Piera

Namaste

South American Healing Herbs: Heal fatigue, weight loss, hormones and your mood!

2012-01-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

The hot smooth dancers, spicy flavours and tastes, deep intense vino and a whole lot of sensual flare can describe the best of South America and it's vibrant culture.

AND that's not all! They are healing masters!

I'm in love with Latin America. I'm in love with their zesty personalities, their hot swagger, and their spicy enchiladas!

Yes, I learned that a spicy enchilada is a true art in itself, both making it and eating it! The soft cheese melts in your mouth, the intense spice warms the insides and as an amateur I make the whole messy ordeal quite an entertaining show for the real latino pro. Napkins, lots of napkins and the help of a mexican on how to handle it, did the trick ;)

Apart from food and hot groovy dance moves, the latin countries are a mecca for healing herbs and therapeutic holistic practices. They bred the original medicine men or shamans. These are the spiritual healers who convene with the land and the ether to bring balance to dis-eased states and constitutions.

When I was in Mexico last year, I had the privilege to explore shamanic medicine and witness some great healing ceremonies. The indigenous of the South are in tune with not only the land and their surroundings, but also with the intangible essence of spirit. I saw it, I felt it and I experienced it on a level so unimaginable it truly is hard to convey in mere words and on a flat screen.

Plants are healing powerhouses!

The southern indigenous are the true "doctors" and their extensive knowledge of the plant world is mind blowing. Plants are immensely curative and precious in their healing capabilities. They are full of the life source energy of the planet, as they connect both upwards taking sun energy from above, and root downwardly bringing up the rich minerals of the soil beneath them. Utilizing them is both an art and a science, and the latin indigenous have mastered it.

I've used a number of southern american herbs both personally and with my clients. From treating hormonal imbalance, to weight issues, to digestive disorders such as gallstones, to chronic depleted states of energy and vitality, the following herbs were the best in their curative potential for these maladies.

Maca:

This is by far my most loved herb of the south. I LOVE MACA!!! I am crazy infatuated by it, so much so my friends think I'm now addicted and need rehab. There are worse addictions, and I know my limits. Seriously though, it is truly a highly nutrient dense herb that is an elixir for the massive fatigue epidemic we have here in the west.

It is indigenous to the high andes of Bolivia and Peru, where it has been used to enhance energy and hormonal function for centuries.

Maca regulates the whole endocrine (hormonal) system and as an adaptogen it will correct your hormonal system by either lifting a depleted state or balancing out an overactive one.

Thyroid: it has proven to heal the thyroid function whether it is in an overactive or under active state. It thus can help with weight gain due to hormonal imbalances, especially in women!

For women it will regulate estrogen and progesterone and thus relieve symptoms of PMS, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. It is said that many indigenous women have fewer reproductive issues and also don't go into menopause till their late 60s!

Fibroids in women: a study by Dr. Viana Muller showed that women with large fibroids, that caused excessive menstrual bleeding, had incredible results by taking Maca daily. Their fibroids shrunk, their bleeding went to normal and they avoided hysterectomy surgery! http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/viana-muller-herbs.htm

For men: Maca helps keep testosterone levels balanced, increases stamina, and has helped with erectile dysfunction. It has been hailed as the natural viagra of our times. Just be sure to take enough Zinc to help keep the prostrate healthy, and it will help the Maca assimilation as well.

CAUTION: Taking more is not better here. Less can be more and starting with a smaller dosage is advisable. Begin with 1 tsp a day. You can increase to 2 tsp. after a week or two. Also after being on maca for 2 months, take a whole week off and then begin again and you may need to only take it at a maintenance dose say 3-4 times a week.
If you have been in a chronic state of fatigue, and a depleted state it will take time to get back to your normal self. Patience, and the herb will help get you there ;)

On a personal note:

Maca has been one of the most effective healing herbs I have taken. It has brought my adrenal health and whole energy level back to an amazing state. I've taken many herbs and supplements, and nothing has come to be as effective as maca for treating low energy and a depleted iron state. This coupled with Spirulina has been miraculous for me. It did take a full 2 months to feel restored, but even after the first month my sleep, my energy and whole sense of vitality improved significantly!

Camu camu:

This is the sour power berry of the south. It is one of the highest source of pure Vitamin C in the plant world. It is thus a great anti-bacterial and anti viral supplement that supports and strengthens the immune system. It has been shown to treat even severe cases of herpes, both oral and genital outbreaks with great results.

Depression and Anxiety disorders: Camu camu has been used for depression and alleviating mood disorders. According to Dr Muller: " It has phytochemicals which clinically have been shown to change mood within a few hours. It can help lift depression and greatly reduce anxiety even the same day it is started. Only a tiny amount is needed--two capsules taken with water on an empty stomach twice daily or 1/4 tsp. taken in water twice daily."

Chanca piedra:

Just as the spanish name suggests, this herb "breaks stones". So it has been effectively used for those that have the tendency to develop gall stones. It has been mainly beneficial for calcium stones formed by the gallbladder, however it has helped also to support t

he liver and prepare it for gallstone release. It is less invasive than the more popular grapefruit/lemon juice olive oil cleanse. According to Dr. Muller

"Three cups a day of chanca piedra (break-stone) tea on an empty stomach for three weeks is usually very effective as a liver flush and will take out any gall stones or kidney gravel (smaller than stones) as well. At the same time, it will clean up the intestines. It truly is one of the most restorative herbs to come out of the rainforest. "

Also as a liver cleanser, it can help those looking to lose excess weight. Often times a sluggish liver can prevent even the most dedicated dieter from seeing results.

Yerba Mate:

This is one of the jewels of Argentina!

It is far superior to coffee for enhancing energy, giving you that jump you desire in the morning, and definitely improves mental focus and clarity. The beautiful thing about Mate, is that it actually elevates your energy without causing a blood insulin (sugar) crash an hour later.

It can help you power through a hard workout in the gym, or tough morning in the office, and then gradually taper off leaving you feeling good and calm even. Coffee can't even try to do that. So I've begun replacing my coffee with Mate tea and the results are truly amazing! I feel alert, without the jitters, and I can power through longer than with caffeine from java.

Weight loss: I know many of you are looking for anything that can help with weight loss, mate is also another great addition. It raises the metabolism, and your energy so you can get that daily work out in. It also helps regulate the appetite and often can diminish it dramatically. Works best on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning and at a midday.

Don't take it later than 3 or 4 pm, as it definitely can interfere with your sleep.

This is an extremely small sample of the numerous healing herbs of South America. I will continue to blog about others, as I come to research and learn them more extensively.

However the ones mentioned here are truly staples I would recommend you all keep in your medicine cabinet. Perhaps just not beside those nasty pharmaceutical concoctions. That would be almost sacrilegious, at least in my eyes. Just sayn'...

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

Can Yoga hurt instead of heal?

2012-01-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

There is a current stir in the Yoga community over a recent New York Times article titled "How Yoga can Wreck Your Body".

It is written citing Glen Black's opinion of the risks and consequences the practice of Yoga can pose the practitioner. Black is a seasoned and traditional based Yoga teacher and perhaps has taken the opportunity to plug his own business interests by creating some hot controversial debates about what Yoga can and cannot do.

Can yoga hurt instead of heal you? Most definitely.

But the better question would be:

"Is the practice of Yoga really the culprit or the Ego tendency of the human condition the real contributing factor to possible injury or risk to health?

Yoga to some degree is misunderstood here in the west. It has become a different organism, living on a different turf and challenged by the western mindset of more is better, faster will get you farther and the "no pain no gain" gym philosophy.

The practice of asana or the physical postures of Yoga are usually what we think of when we hear the word yoga. But actually it is only one part of an entire holistic system of modalities and practices that when all considered, offer one of the most healing systems available to us.

However what do we end up doing in a yoga class?

Instead of listening to our bodies we want to get farther now, and not allow the body to communicate its process.

We want to do "power yoga" and hot yoga so we can sweat and burn calories, and not practice slowing down, using the breath to initiate the pose and become present to what the pose is telling us.

We want to get the "yoga body" and follow the hollywood stars to achieving a certain look of leanness. When we could be connecting to our bodies and realizing how amazing they already are, right now in this moment.

Yoga isn't about burning calories, or "getting advanced". It isn't about stretching further and getting it all right. There really isn't something to get done in Yoga.

It's about being in the moment and awakening to who and where you are right this moment.

That requires a great attention to staying present and in the moment on the mat. It requires listening to what your body is telling you. Yoga asks that we still the mind, through the conscious awareness of our life line - the breath and realize we are way beyond the mind chatter upstairs.

Yoga can hurt you if YOU allow the your ego to take over and convince you of its thoughts.

That you aren't "doing enough, sweating enough, flowing enough, standing on your head enough. The mind will try to take you away from where you are, to where it thinks it should be. Yoga helps us listen beyond that mind noise and hear the stronger, voice of truth within.

Let go of getting anywhere.

Listen to the sensations of your body on the mat. Never go beyond a comfortable stretch or tension, and breath into each and every pose. If you are feeling even slightly in pain, you are not respecting where you are at. Pain is not the response we want to feel when in the pose.

You do want to feel something releasing, and expanding, or lengthening in a way you normally don't. But you never want to feel pain.

Yoga teachers also can hurt you!

So be wary of who you allow as your teacher. There are yoga teachers that simply cannot let go of their own ego. They want to see their students progress and be the one who got them there.

They may think because they have been practicing 10, 20, 30 years that they "know yoga" or even more ego maniacal, they ARE Yoga. I once heard the owner of a very well known yoga studio in Toronto say that to her employee. Scary and completely an ego driven attitude.

The point of the practice is to gain awareness.

Awareness of our habits, our tendencies, what is going on in the body, and what the mind is doing. It is to "awaken" us to really becoming present and there for ourselves.

Yoga heals. Yoga isn't failing to heal our pain. We are failing to listen to the voice within and follow that lead.

If you allow the presence within to guide you, then healing happens. If you also develop a relationship with it so that you respect its most powerful voice, then you heal infinitely from that pure awakening.

In health always,

Piera

Hungry for food or something else? Disordered eating is not just about food.

2012-01-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

Our relationship to food says a lot about the relationship we have with ourselves. How we see food, and treat it can be a direct reflection about how we see and treat ourselves.

When we use it to avoid a unpleasant feeling such as sadness, we are also neglecting ourselves. When we use it to distract ourselves, we also send the message to our bodies and spirit that our true needs aren't important. When we use it to fill a void, or emptiness we actually are denying ourselves true nourishment and love.

Disordered eating and food issues are not only about food

Food is therefore, not just a fuel source. It often is bound to our emotions, cultural upbringing and socialization process. So understanding how eating disorders have emerged isn't so hard.

Food can represent love when given to us by care providers as we are growing up.

Food symbolically represents our will to live and thrive.

Food can be used to exert control and power over ourselves and in our lives. We may feel more secure when we control our food such as when we diet, because at least we've got that "working" in our lives.

Food can be a negatively charged trigger because past memories can arise when we feel certain emotions or sensations of pain and fear.

We may either turn to food to numb the feeling, or we run away from food and encourage another distraction to lessen the pain.

Those who reject food, limit it and restrict it severely to the point of inducing a famine state, are actually rejecting life. Almost like a slow suicide. The will to live regresses to the point of death if critical intervention isn't taken.

My own story

On a personal level, I dealt with eating disorders from my late teens and throughout my twenties. The particulars aren't what is of importance. It was my own coping mechanism, similar to a drug addict or gambler, or alcoholic who is trying to survive living from the outside in, instead of from the inner core.

My darkest moments were probably just before commencing my Homeopathic studies. I had to meet that low right in the face before stepping on the road to recovery. I was lucky. I could have really put my life in danger.

But one very profoundly transformative day, that started as the most painful day from hell actually was a calling from my suffering soul. I literally got down on my knees, and heard an inner voice tell me I wasn't alone or meant to die. I was given the strength somehow to climb out of the darkest abyss I had ever faced.

Seems intense.

It was and I actually am VERY gracious everyday for that dark time. It brought me to truly AWAKEN and experience an internal place so beautiful that words are just not sufficient to describe it.

It took me years to truly embrace my eating disorder and to heal.

I hated it, I tried disowning it, ignoring it, running away from it and it only got fiercer. I am truly lucky I didn't turn to conventional medications as my M.D at the time had suggested. I knew the answer was not in a drug.

The answer was within. The answer was Core Connection.

Only when I could give my eating disorder compassion, just as you would for a small innocent child who has made a mistake, did I heal and recover my health. It was like magic.

The moment I gave myself love, instead of rejection, I healed.

The moment I gave my feelings recognition and the opportunity to be felt instead of repressed, I healed.

The moment I stopped blaming my family, media and men for having the eating disorder, I healed.

At the time I didn't realize that I actually was discovering Core Connection. I was implementing practices I was learning from homeopathic college, reading Buddhist literature everyday, I began to meditate and practice Yoga and my life CHANGED so amazingly and offered me a truly transformative process of awakening. I discovered my Higher Self and its' voice and most powerful nature.

I may not be completely at peace with food, or my body image but I have come a very long way. I am more aware of my reactions and I now have a "spiritual" tool box of practices and skills that have replaced old limiting and negative coping strategies. I credit my recovery to divine intervention and to the LOVE I have been able to allow myself to accept and give to others.

From the darkness we can come out the other side and meet our Light. From our place of pain we can discover our immense strength. From our suffering we can hear the answers that will heal our souls.

We need to let go and allow our inner direction to guide us.

If there is any demand that healing places on us, it is to LOVE LOVE LOVE ourselves unconditionally.

I am a living testimony of this. We can truly regain our health, our power and our lives when we make the Core Connection.

We are never alone on our journey.

Never.

Health always,

Namaste

Piera

What is Reiki and can it help you heal?

2012-01-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

In a world where tactile gratification ranks high and "seeing is believing" motto rules, the concept of energy healing becomes quite controversial.

You and I can't see energy. So how can someone heal with energy or be a channel of the transference of healing energy? Well look to the sages, the shamans, the Zen monks, the Mother Teresa's and John of Gods in the world and it is not so hard to believe.

I and millions of others have experienced such healing. The experience of having energy bodywork is truly not only a healing, but a gateway to connecting to your own innate, most powerful and amazing internal mechanism to heal.

And that is what Reiki is all about. In all energy healing, it is not really the hands of the practitioner healing you, it's more how you are enabled to connect to your own healing capability.

That capability is truly in everyone. We just aren't taught that. We aren't told that. And we definitely aren't learning that from the conventional medical community. They would call it airy fairy woo woo quackery.

Is Reiki quackery?

Not from my experience working with the hundreds of patients and clients both in my practice and hospice work. Even Dr. OZ now endorses his wife's practice of Reiki as being a very viable form of healing therapy.

Have all my clients been "cured". No.

Have they felt better, regained some insight about their dis-ease, lifestyle and emotions? Has the internal spirit been ignited to begin the process of healing? Do they begin to question what needs to be changed in their life, and let go of what isn't ADDING to their life? Do they leave the session feeling more safe in their process, more empowered and touched?

Does all of this lead to:

a stronger immunity
higher energy levels
less colds and flus
more vigor
more enthusiasm and passion in their life
weight loss, lessening of chronic disease symptoms, less bouts of depression, more confidence in their work, relationships, and personal progress in life?

YES! YES! YES!

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a hands on therapeutic type of energetic body work. The practitioner lays their hands on various positions on the body and helps to clear the energetic meridians and chakras of stagnation, stress and holding on patterns. It originated in Japan, by a Doctor called Usui Reiki. He was a deeply aware and holistic practicing doctor. He knew the power of touch, and how the universe offers its healing energy through us.

After many years of personal work and meditation he developed "Reiki" and it has been brought forth through a very long lineage, carried on much like the oral traditions would pass on stories. He taught students, and then students practiced and became proficient and taught other students.

Reiki being a very tactile form of energy therapy presents to the western world a more believable form of energy bodywork, rather than say Pranic or psychic distance healing where the hands are not even placed on the body at all.

Touch is healing!

I do believe that there is also the human touch factor that makes Reiki all that more powerful for healing and balancing our stress and immune response. When a baby is born, if it is not held, touched and essentially shown loving affection it may fail to thrive, and even die. This is a proven fact.

So the power of touch cannot be undervalued. A Reiki session becomes a very sacred interaction between practitioner and client. The practitioner must leave their ego, their mind stuff at the door so to speak, and be completely focused on the patient before them. The patient must be open and accepting of the shift that needs to take place.

It is an interaction that must be built on mutual trust, acceptance and a willingness to heal on the part of the recipient. You must be ready to let go of what is not serving you in life to ultimately heal your dis-ease. You must be willing to change.

May you make Reiki a part of your healing process and find relief and happiness on your healing journey.

Namaste

Piera

You don't have to Shut Your Mind off to Meditate- Learn 3 simple tools to help your meditation practice

2012-01-12T11:14:00.000-08:00

Having one point of focus is the fundamental necessity to still the mind. The "monkey" mind as it is often referred to in the Buddhist and eastern philosophical circles, is just as the label implies, jumpy and erratic.

It will jump from idea to thought to belief, just as our ape friends hang from branch to branch in the jungle. Mind activity is infinite, and that is the very nature of our mind. So I am not suggesting that we need to change it so much so our reaction to it.

Allow the mind to do its thing. But notice the thoughts, and try to observe them rather than become engaged to them in a manner that pulls you out of conscious awareness.

This takes practice and a willingness to believe in your process.

It won't happen overnight. Your mind is so gifted at throwing at you all kinds of thoughts that then become scenarios, that then become almost entire story lines. We get so pulled into the story, that we lose our connection to the awareness lying beneath the automatic thought patterns. This is what is called delusion, or total identification with the Ego mind.

So "Core Connection" brings us to awaken from this delusion and realize we are not our thoughts, or what the mind would like to make us believe we are. We are the essence that observes that mind doing the monkey thing.

That is the key.

Confused a little? This may sound very abstract, so really the only way to truly experience this practice is to practice.

How do we "Core Connect"?

To simplify things (at least for those of you who are beginning meditation and just discovering you are on a spiritual path), begin with the following 3 key practices and begin finding stillness and some relief from your mind matters.

1) Stop and get still:

It is really plain and simple. You need to make time, even 5 minutes in the beginning is a great start. You need to stop your physical body, and sit preferably crossed legged on a pillow or chair. We are a society of multi tasking addicts, and that encourages us to never truly be focused and still. So shut off the cell, the computer, and stop moving and DOING. You are thus learning the art of BEING.

2) Choose the breath as your FOCUS:

So just because you sat your arse down, doesn't mean the mind will follow and stop. Actually, it may appear to be even more active, only because you aren't moving and distracting yourself with a hundred other things. So the answer is to choose a FOCUS. One solitary thing to feel and experience. The breath is most effective focal point you can choose.

3) The quality of the breath:

So what do I mean by focusing on the breath? I give entire workshops on this specific tool or process. For now just choose one QUALITY of the breath to focus on. So you may want to feel the temperature of the inhale and how it differs from the exhale. You may want to just feel the expansion of every inhalation and the opposite sensation of the contraction of the exhalation. Or simply listening to the breath.

As you practice you develop more steadiness and can incorporate other ways. Such as inhaling a feeling, such as gratitude and then exhaling joy back to the space. This is a type of Shambhala inspired technique I learned . Just choose something you feel comfortable with.

The goal is not to stop thinking.

To get "somewhere" or get "good at meditating". That is all ego crap. The goal is simply to be present and aware of what your mind is doing, BUT without getting pulled into it and lost in the charge of the thoughts your mind will put forth.

Watch, observe, and watch some more. Be still and present for yourself. That is meditation in a nutshell.

Questions? Ask away!

For now happy sitting,

Namaste

Piera

Solo and directed

2012-01-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

I'm single, solo and a one woman show. It sometimes feels really hard going at it alone. But am I actually alone?

No. I have a great social network of friends and solid family support. I'm not alone for the holidays, or to the parties I'm invited to, my hospice work definitely reminds me of my connection to humanity, and my work is constantly engaging me in new relationships and professional networks.

No I'm not alone. But I do get lonely.

Or perhaps more accurately my mind would like me to believe I'm lonely and in need of a partner. And yes having one isn't bad, but sometimes it doesn't necessarily mean it's better.

There is an italian expression my amazing sicilian grandmother used to always say to me, "meglio sola che mal accompagnata". Translated: Better to be alone than in bad company. She never pressured me to get married and get on with it. Definitely an aware woman.

Sometimes we need to go at it alone. It's one way the Universe tests us. It's a toughie for sure. But it teaches us we are self sufficient, and we realize we are able to live this crazy life with our inner strength and spirit as our mode de operandi and not from external influences.

Ask any single mom, widow, divorcee or thirty something that often is surrounded by mommies and daddies whose ego likes to convince them their life is richer, sacrificial and more noble than someone who hasn't decided to go that route, what it feels like. It's not the easiest lesson, but once you learn it's so darn gratifying.

Believing being solo is sad is the Ego. It's Ego's BS. Plain and simple.

Being solo doesn't mean someone is less giving or less generous. Mother Teresa is a prime example. We choose to devote ourselves to what we feel is worthy and what matters most.

Well that would be the enlightened way.

Unfortunately many feel they need to have the corporate job, be the supermom or dad domestically and otherwise, have the 3 car garage, have 3 kids, the million dollar home they rarely live in and the shiny big SUV.

This is the "I" or the ego that wants this identity. But if that means you are miserable in the process, fighting with your spouse, hardly able to spend quality time with those 3 kids and partner, and have barely enough time to sit in your million dollar home, who are you really fulfilling?

My good friend Vicki said to me yesterday, "You can be lonely, and miserable solo. Or you can be "solo and directed". There is a difference.

Brilliant!

We can choose to live single or solo, and yet be directed from our inner essence. That could be the most gratifying life possible. Because you live from your authentic Self, living your purpose and ultimately doing WHAT MATTERS MOST to you and fulfilling our obligation to the bigger picture.

You can give to your community, and those who are in need the love, support and food they need to survive and not feel alone. Then you realize your potential to make a difference on this planet, that goes beyond the house, cars and Louis Vittons on our shoulders.

That's not to say you can't do that with a partner by your side, a family, and the white picket fence deal. You just have to come from an authentic intention about why you want those things in your life. Is it for you, or your mama and papa, is it because your girlfriends have it, society tells you that is what is "normal" and you won't be "someone" if you don't have it?

Every word, thought and action must be congruent with your truth and purpose for living.

Otherwise you are living a facade. You are faking your happiness and that ultimately boils down to being the impostor you have to live with. Then you are really solo and undirected.

I'd rather be solo, and directed.

Namaste

Piera

Dis-ease: Why do we get sick? Learn how to prevent and heal disease!

2012-01-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

Within the past few months, several of my family members and a few friends have been diagnosed with certain illnesses and pathologies. Even though I work with chronically ill and terminal patients, I never am immune to feeling compassion and a sense of confusion. When it hits home, it is all the more distressing. It seems to bring to the surface a sense of feeling things are just so unjust, and "don't make sense".

But they do. It is what is presently needing ATTENTION.

Disease often and unfortunately, awakens people to what needs attention, care and ultimately LOVE. So I will go as far as to state, that disease results when we have lost AWARENESS in our lives. The awareness of our body, our mind, and most importantly our spirit.

And when we have not consciously connected to our higher Self.

I nor alternative medicine can explain the exact cause or reason as to why we get sick or develop terminal disease. There is no one explanation because every human being is as diverse as the snowflakes that fall from the sky.

However we all embody a "Vital Force", which is a term I learned in Homeopathic College. This "force" is not a woo woo new age term. It is what animates you. It is what differentiates you, a living being from a dead body.

Historically it was thought that the heart is what was responsible for keeping us alive. Yes, it is a vital organ that is central to our health and wellness. However, what is it that keeps that heart ticking? What allows your heart to emit electrical impulses. pump your blood and oxygen throughout your body?

Hard to define when you can't see the vital force, measure it or put it in a test tube. But it lies at the very core of your being, and is responsible for keeping you in homeostasis or balance so that you heal and even prevent disease.

So why then do people get cancer? Get a heart attack and suffer chronic pain and degeneration?

I believe that disease is a result or manifestation of a long standing disharmony within. Yes there are cases where children fall ill and genetic disorders cause physiological derangements which lead to illness.

But let's put those cases aside and look at the majority of chronic illness and disease.

Disease is a result of an accumulation of not being Core Connected. What causes us to be disconnected to our higher Self?

Repression: When we don't honour our emotions, by releasing them in healthy ways we develop disease.

When we live in isolation, or with feelings of hopelessness and being unsupported we may develop disease.

When we reject our Truth and our Soul's calling to live our life purpose because we allow others or even our own resistance to get in the way, we develop disease.

When we live with resentment or anger towards others or ourselves we develop disease.

When we act out of greed, dishonesty, and unloving intentions towards others, we may develop disease.

When we feed our bodies dead food, void of nutrition and unconscious about where or how the food came to our plate, we may develop disease.

When we don't move our bodies, and feel the vitality within on a consistent basis in healthy ways, we may develop disease.

When we turn to alcohol, drugs, and other addictions negating our true need for love, we may develop disease.

When we can't offer our partner intimacy based on mutual respect, honesty and love, we may develop disease.

And ultimately at the core is the level of Love in our lives. When we first and foremost don't love ourselves, berate, degrade and sell ourselves out for others we may develop disease. When we can't love others without conditions and from a genuine place of giving we may develop disease.

Strengthening the Vital Force with Intention

Cultivating AWARENESS is the key.

Be conscious of what you are saying to yourself everyday.

Be conscious of your emotions and the sensations that come with them.

Be conscious of your words, actions and thoughts. For they all impact every cell, atom and part of your being. Every time you disown a part of yourself, by not being true to you, you are giving your immune system a harmful hit.

Give it words of praise, compassion and love and watch how your whole state and being changes. You say yes to Life. You enforce your most awesome Self.

Love and continued Light

Namaste

Piera

It's more than just the Year of the Dragon....Kill the dragon that is sabotaging your life!

2012-01-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

We may not all have vast amounts of money, or resources, or powerful networks of people,(yet) but we all do have the same amount of time in a day. Those 24 hours that seem to fly by, are precious and will make or break your efforts to achieve your best year ever.

How are you really spending your time? Social media, phone chats, T.V, endless emails, text messaging, internet and on and on. In short it's called "resistance" or more commonly known as procrastination.

Resistance will try to creep into every nook or cranny of your psyche and mindset.

So everyday you gotta slay that dragon. Resistance is vicious. It breaths the fire of distraction, rationalizations, and just straight out bullshit excuses for not working on your goals. You gotta kill it by sitting the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair, over and over again.

It's not just the year of the Dragon. It's a lifetime of dragons.

Because guess what? That dragon resurrects every single morning, right after you open your eyes and take that first conscious breath. Actually just like in video games it has INFINITE LIVES!

I haven't been consistent with this. I'm fessing up because the only way I am going to achieve anything worth achieving in this life, is with integrity and commitment.

So I sat down and really evaluated what I as doing with my 24 hours. Things seriously need revamping.

As I started getting serious with where I want to go with my goals in life, it became sooooo apparent that time was a huge factor interfering with my success. I thought resources or money was. But actually that is just scarcity thinking. Abundance truly is our birth right.

My time management changes in 2012:

1) In bed by 10pm, and up by 6, at least during the week!

I'm committing to getting in bed earlier, getting at least 7 hours, and waking up earlier to meditate on my day's goals. AND the 30 minutes before I head to lala land, are going to be positive thoughts, visualizations and prayers of gratitude.

Gotta slay that dragon before you go to dreamland and help the subconscious work on what you WANT in life, not the crap. Your brain doesn't stop working when you sleep. And your creative process does a hell of a lot of work during sleep time. So make sure you put AMAZING feeling thoughts into your head before you fall asleep. You give it the food it needs to work on your desires and aspirations.

Kinda similar to the next one...

2) The first 60 minutes of my day must be dragon proof:

What you do with the first hour right after you open those pretty eyes of yours will make or break the whole rest of the day. Do you get that? It is CRUCIAL and imperative that you take the first hour of your day and truly gear your mindset against that flame breathing monster.

I'm waking up smiling, and forcing it if I have to. I'm meditating on how awesome my life is because of it's abundance. I'm literally counting every fricken' blessing and feeling that resonate within me. I'm connecting to my higher power, asking for guidance and support to make it a kick ass day. I'm also inviting my creative subconscious to inspire me for my greatest and highest good. I'm reading my goals 3 times, that are written and sitting on my nightstand. I'm throwing in a little visualization as I ask, and pray. I'm seeing all that I desire my reality to be.

Call it airy fairy or whatever. But this stuff works. I know it does, because when I am consistent with this, I see RESULTS. My goal is to get real consistent. No need to beat yourself up if one day you just can't do it. But overall, this has got to be the deal.

3) Less Facebook, less Bbm, less emails, less time spent with people who aren't adding substance to my life and more connecting with those that do.

Pretty self explanatory. I'm not checking email or going online till I get at least one hour of work, writing or something on my task list done. I don't watch T.V, or many DVDs. Those hours are spent working out or yoga, making time to eat healthy and seated at a table, educational or career seminars and community outreach.

I also will not subject myself to chatting with drama queens, negative Nancys and people who don't resonate. The quality of my energy on a consistent basis is critical. Those individuals are dragons in disguise. Cut them loose and make positive, better connections with people in your life. Find people who ELEVATE you, and bring you to higher place.

No joke, this is the battle plan.

You got to psyche yourself up so HIGH that you are confidence incarnate.

Here is to 2012 with better habits, connections, relationships and a true commitment to the dreams. Dragons are gonna die each day. You in for this battle?

Namaste

Love and Light,

Piera

What I learned in 2011

2011-12-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

2011 has so far been quite an interesting year for me. I've taken some time lately to reflect on what I experienced and learned thus far on my journey. I've been fortunate enough to have some time alone, in silence and in stillness. The following is what surfaced and stood out. Some are very light hearted and some are more serious. It's a mix of it all.

This past year I learned that:

Where you invest your love you invest your life. Thank you Mumford and Sons :)

That if you wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle enough, you will find your inner mojo every time. Thank you LMFAO, lol.

That earth angels truly exist. You just have to let go of the Ego and allow yourself to see them. Thank you Vicki, my eternal angel.

Happiness is not found in another person, place or thing. That looking for joy in the external is a very exhausting and futile endeavour. I'm tired of that and done with it. Happiness must begin within.

Cats are just as amazing as dogs! You just have to remember they can climb on counter tops, open fridges, and still love you when they go off on their own and want their space. Thank you to Ozzy and Bailes.

That HIV and Cancer are not death sentences! That we are remarkable human miracles that can heal, and regain wellness when we truly face the real problem-emotional and spiritual dis-ease.

From my HIV clients: That we are greater than our labels, our perceptions and those of others, and our past. From those less fortunate than I: I learned that we all have gifts to give and share no matter how poor, unemployed, sick or "different" we may be.

That you are the company you keep! There is no getting around this one. The circle of friends you hang out with and surround yourself with, says VOLUMES about you, your own beliefs, and what you ACCEPT in your life.

That I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY thankful that I did not give in to the pressure to fit in or be cool in my teens and twenties and enter into the party drug scene. I used to wonder if I missed out on that so called "fun" and perhaps led too straight of life. But the universe blessed me with the confirmation that I truly took the better highway.

That chocolate can be eaten in moderation, in even the worst of times. It actually is a more special experience when I don't over indulge too often :) which leads me to...

Too much vino, too much vegetarian, too much healthiness, too much of anything or anyone does not serve me well. The lesson of balance keeps coming back to haunt me. And it's good, I need to be hit over the head with this one!

That dating in your 30s is a huge TEST to your patience and SANITY. I'm still working on this. Actually joking aside, I'm happy and proud to admit I didn't settle just because everyone else was getting married, or moving on or having kids.

More on dating... That when he doesn't call you back, he really is sane and doing you a favour. It's far worse to be called 10x a day, texted 50 times with freaky messages, and emailed proposals of the future he sees with you, within 7 days of meeting the weirdo. WOW thank God that is over.

And on a more serious note about dating partners: That my sense of spirituality is very important to me, and I will not negotiate it, or downplay it, or jeopardize it for anyone. That I want to be able to share similar spiritual beliefs with my mate.

AND...That I respect my body by aiming to eat clean, exercise daily, not drink excessively or smoke, and leading an overall active lifestyle and I want my potential companion to also share and practice these same values. I've overlooked this for some reason lately. I'm letting go of that denial.

That religion is something you just don't discuss with religious people. Therefore I will avoid to the best of my ability to speak of religion with those who only believe in their religion and have no respect for the beliefs of others. This includes priests, deacons, rabbis, rectors, Imams and Mothers. (Note: Being religious is not the same as being spiritual.)

That true friends are there for you anytime, any day, any week or any month. They are there regardless of the past, or what was said or not said, and not only when it's most convenient for them.

That being alone and being lonely are two very different things. Being lonely at times is normal. However feeling alone in life, is debilitating and risks one's health.

That I can't "save" anyone from themselves or their self destructiveness. Salvation comes from finding the love within and giving it out.

That my body may not be perfect, but boy does it do amazingly perfect things. I get reminded of this more and more. Like the way it knows when I've had too much Baci Perugine chocolates or chickpeas.

That a good Cesar is hard to find in this city! Come on people, how hard is it to mix tomato juice with some alcohol and the right spice.

That a rainy, cold or grey day isn't so bad if you have a cappuccino, a good book and a warm blanket. I'm blessed to have all of those at my disposal. There are many who don't.

That Toronto isn't so bad. We have been spared natural disasters and destruction, for the most part are tolerant of diversity (I excuse and forgive the one woman on bloor west who took the liberty of calling me a wop), and the CN tower is one hell of a sexy masterpiece. Thank you to the immigrants who built it :)

From my dad: You are as old as the colour of your hair. Thank God for Just for Men hair dye. Kidding aside his Joie de Vie has truly taught me how vitality and youthfulness is really a result of your ability to have fun, be playful and go with the flow of life. You really are as young as you will allow yourself to feel.

That spanish is a beautiful language to learn, but going latin dancing on a first date doesn't always mean a good time. Never doing that again. Next.

That wherever you go, there you are. So running off to another city, country or continent doesn't mean your life problems instantaneously resolve. You can't run from yourself, your issues or the lessons you need to learn. They are here to remind you of what needs attention and care. I'm still working on this one.

Resistance is futile. Let go and Let God. Also working on this one :)

When are we ever done?

Wishing you the best end of this 2011, and an amazing 2012!!! Ole'!!

Namaste

Piera

Slimming solution or just a Toxic Tea?

2011-11-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

I've been asked by numerous clients and friends lately about the safety of "slimming teas". These teas are often found in health, bulk food stores and I even caught them on the shelf of dollar stores. They are sold as diet teas that purportedly support weight loss and suppress the appetite. Many are foreign made and provide inaccurate nutrient information labels.

Once I read the ingredients of these "slimming" teas, alarm bells began to go off.

Two ingredients were in almost every one of these "slimming" potions. One is Senna and the other is Cascara Sargrada. Both these herbs are strong laxatives and diuretics.

At best these teas can encourage some elimination and provide relief for occasional bouts of constipation. I stress the word occasional here. If you suffer from chronic constipation then these teas are not the answer either. Both Senna and Cascara are very harsh on the inner intestines and colon. They may in the long term create dependency and a lazy bowel that will not function optimally on its own.

Your bowels are just like muscles in your body, and need to be "exercised" so to speak. The best way to "exercise your bowels" is to provide healthy doses of whole food fiber which adds bulk. The bulk encourages the peristalsis action of the bowel. This is the muscular contraction that helps encourage healthy, and regular bowel movements.

Slimming teas are not the answer to losing excess weight. They can actually be dangerous as you may lose fluids, and excess electrolytes if you develop diarrhea. You risk dehydration and potentially the ph balance of your body. Potassium is a water soluble mineral that you will lose in large quantities when you experience excess laxative effects. Potassium regulates your heart beat. Since proper heart function is dependent on correct electrolyte balance, a severe deficiency of potassium can make your heart stop beating. Also these teas may encourage your body to crave more food because you may lose many minerals and trace nutrients in their laxative effects.

Many of these teas are imported from China, especially those found in dollar stores. There is really no way in knowing what is in them or the purity of the ingredients. They are mass made and sold.

Read labels and if you see any of the following ingredients steer clear:

Senna
Cascara Sagrada
Uva Ursi (diuretic)
Kola nut ( stimulant, caffeine, upper)
Ma Huang (stimulant, upper)
Guarana (stimulant, upper)

The last two ingredients are often found in diet pills as well. These provide a stimulant effect on your nervous system that may suppress appetite and increase the metabolism. But both these are contentious. The effect on your metabolism may be minimal and not enough to induce a sufficient boost to any weight loss efforts. The danger is that they will stress the heart in addition to the stress the rest of the ingredients pose.

Double wammy of dangers here!

Healthy weight loss really boils down to eating a balanced healthy diet free of processed foods and excess alcohol and sugar. Also incorporating regular exercise that provides enough intensity to keep you sweating and increase your heart rate for 30 minutes 3-5 times per week. Keeping active the rest of the time is also important. So taking stairs, walking more, and generally not sitting around living a coach potato life.

Here is my formula for safe, effective weight loss:

Clean diet + regular intense exercise (30 minutes)+ deep regular sleep + spiritual connection of some sort = Less stress, more energy, healthy weight, and happier YOU.

To your health always,

Piera

Namaste

Occupy Your Heart

2011-11-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

The time has come to occupy something else.

It is irrefutably one of the most unsettled ages in history. It seems the problem lies outside of us. Yes, in part there are massive inequalities and destructive energies happening before our eyes in our world today. The scenes we see are upsetting and for many of us infuriating.

So we want to "Occupy" Wall Street, the economy and ultimately our survival. But, what if the solution of the problem lies right within us?

Maybe we need to step away from the tents on the sidewalk and begin a different "Occupy" movement. One that starts right within our own very selves.

The blood we see being shed and the majority of the rest that is unseen is really originating from a disconnect every individual experiences with themSelves. The Self seems to have taken a rather discouraging backseat which in my opinion is the reason we see the strife, pain and madness in our world today. At least it's one of the major reasons.

When I say Self, it is not the "me" I am referring to. The me is the capitalist driven, label shooting, material obsessed and corrupted vibe we see in the "1%" and those of us that have sadly developed that me dis-ease. I call it "me dis-ease" because we have lost our connection to our higher Self and have been disillusioned by the "me" within us to act out of fear instead of love.

There are only 2 energies or ways you can act, think, or speak. Love or fear. So when we avoid cultivating that relationship with Self we are supporting our fear mechanism. The one that tells you "you aren't good enough, have enough, valuable enough or to the extreme end unworthy and unloveable.

I propose we Occupy our own hearts as the very first step to seeing change outside ourselves. From within we create without. This is scientifically proven. This is mentally studied and proven. AND this is spiritually the supreme law.

HOW do we occupy our own heart and Self?

Stop the negative self talk. This means stop the "I'm fat, I'm not in her/his "league" dialogue, I'm too short, I need more degrees, I don't have enough money, I'm a slob, I'm a pig, I keep messing up, I can't do this, I can't , I should, I could, I don't know how or have the connections. This is massively damaging to your subconscious mind and internal spirit.

Honour your truth. It's plain and simple. Do what feels right from the depths of your inner being. Not because the Jones are doing next door, or your best friend thinks its cool or because some Kardashian just talked about it. Stop following the crowd, and follow your own desire. This means less T.V, less Facebook, less bullshit from those you simply don't resonate with. This is the definition of living on purpose.

Walk your talk. Once you begin to honour your truth and come to an awareness of what is really important to you, PRACTICE it every single day. Practice it from the moment you lift your head off the pillow to the very end of the day before you go to dreamland. Live with your purpose on the forefront of all that you do. Do you know what your purpose even is? Read on...

Define what you value, and is your philosophy in life. WHAT MATTERS TO YOU? beyond your own house, Ferrari, equities, and paycheck. This will lend clarity to that all time question we often think about but are so scared or distracted to consider. What is your purpose here on this planet? If you don't know what you truly value, and what you will not accept as being the highest and best vision for your existence, then you simply can't occupy a dam thing. Occupy the PURPOSE you know is within every single atom of your existence. How do you know it's there? Keep reading...

Connect to your passion. Every single one of us has a passion(s) for something(s). You know what it is because it's an incredible feeling that permeates your whole being. When you think about it you can't help but beam a smile of those pearly whites. Every ounce of your being feels AMAZING and "fatigue" isn't ever part of the equation, even when you only slept 3 hrs that night. When you occupy your heart, you live your passion. You live on purpose and with honour, and you don't hurt yourself or others in the process! Because it is the very best and most awesome part of you.

Occupy your heart.

Love yourself, and then you can truly love another. The wars we see without are because we don't truly love OURSELVES. For how we treat our sisters and brothers out there, is a direct reflection on how we treat ourselves. The moment we occupy our own hearts, is the moment we share that massive ability to love everything and everyone else.

Namaste

Yours in Light

Piera

Lighter and Brighter- Day 7 of my Fall Cleanse

2011-10-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

It has been one full week on my Fall cleanse. I am beaming. I'm like the CN tower at night, all lit up and glowing magnetism.

Physically I feel lighter and have lost 3 pounds. But that isn't really the cause of the joy pangs I'm feeling in my fuzzy heart centre. Letting go of what isn't serving me is what is creating my feel good self to come out and play.

I surrender to what is.

Simply put, I am allowing the present moment to be, without me judging, measuring or comparing it to anything or anyone else right now.

I unplugged from social media, my phone, and most technology for the past 2 days. I can't describe how amazing that was. I intend on having less of Facebook, Twitter, Stumble and the rest of the mumble jumbo in my life now. I realized it was a lot of loud noise that was feeding my ego. It's also an escape from facing one self and being with one self.

A cleanse can allow you to do just that. It can truly reveal a level of awareness of your body, mind and spirit that invites you to renew your sense of faith and love in YOUR SELF.

I have seen how amazing my body works when it has less "junk" to deal with in all areas of my life. Less garbage in means less subtractions in my life. Less ego driven media, less superficial hollywood BS, less toxicity in the form of toxic relationships, jobs, or food.

It all has energy.

Figure out what type of energy you want in your life. Because it really is going to be either a deficit or an investment to your daily energy bank. Everyday you have so much in your reserves to use to nurture your well being, positive actions and direction in your life.

Where do you want to invest your thoughts, emotions and precious time? On people that add to your life? On projects that make you grow and realize your dreams? On activities that will keep you fit, well and thriving physically?

On people that take away from your life and aren't growing in positive ways in their lives? In jobs or work that feel like jobs and work and you simply are working for the weekend? Or sitting on the coach, eating whatever and not making time for physical fitness?

Being honest with ourselves is tough. We are accountable for every action, word and thought we put out there.

I got honest with myself this weekend. I decided I needed to be one on one with the most important person in my life. Me.

If I'm not on good terms with Me, there is no way I can be with anyone or anything else. It's amazing how easy it is to run away from ourselves. When we do run by eating, drinking, smoking, abusing, gambling or any other distraction, we keep from discovering that the very answer is right where we are and have always been.

You can run, but you can't hide. We really can't run from ourselves. Because eventually we realize we take ourselves and the pain and suffering or problems we think we have wherever we go.

A cleanse may be a great starting point for you to learn the power of presence. The present moment is really all we got baby. Let's live and love it! Tell me your experiences. I'm a message away. :)

Namaste

Piera

Day 4: Learn the Basic First Cleanse

2011-09-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

Its Day 4 of my cleanse... I'm still alive.

I felt like utter crap (excuse the pun), the first 2 days. Yesterday was better. Today feeling nasty again. I do mean that in every sense of the word actually.

Physically, the fatigue is tremendous and quite unsettling. Nasty headaches torment my days and sometimes accompany me at night. I won't describe in detail what is coming out of me. That would be real nasty of me and I love you all too much.

Let's just say for someone who leads a pretty clean life, its amazing to see my toxic release. I can't imagine what a meat/dairy eating, alcohol drinking, nicotine smoking, grease consuming, drug using and coffee brewing Joe would see. Or feel for that matter. Poor soul!

But there is a less painful and gentler way...

Beginners Cleanse

One recommendation I have for those who are embarking on a healthier lifestyle is to go slooooooooow.

If you have not done a cleanse ever, and your current diet and lifestyle would

make me all red in the face from frustration, then I would suggest you just begin by cleaning your diet.

That's it for 3-4 months.

Herbs, water or juice fasts, or specific organ cleansing protocols like a liver flush or heavy metal detox are for much later!

Trust me it will be way too much and you may get too ill doing too much too soon.

What is a clean diet?

That means: No processed food like bread, cookies, muffins, cereal, anything in a box, bag or package. If Momma earth didn't provide it from a tree, bush or shrub don't go there.

Second wean off stimulants like coffee, chocolate, nicotine, caffeine sports drinks or supplements, sugar in any form (honey, white, brown, fructose or rock sugar) it's still refined and HIGH on the glycemic index.

Limit alcohol to 3 drinks a week. It's pure liquid sugar and many empty calories. The best thing would be to forgo it altogether. Alcohol is one of the most toxic things for our brains, livers and whole organism to filter and process. I'll dedicate a whole post on this one day. There is way too much information to go into that here.

Drink 2-3L of pure water. Yes you may be in the bathroom a little more, but your body will get used to it.

On the lighter side of things...

I feel lighter!

Also, my dream world has been quite a joyride. It's been the highlight of these first few days. I've gone to worlds unbeknownst to me. I've intensely visioned vivid landscapes , so magnetizing I did not want to leave. I will have so much material for a book, that I can foresee a series of adventures in print. Who knows.

There is always good in the seemingly "ungood" in life. So even though I feel like a Mac truck hit me, my body is revealing what needs attention and what doesn't.

Chocolate cake really wants me right now. Do I want it? Or a better question is what part of me really wants it- the mind or the body?

Who is the master in all of this?

Aim to be the master of your mind, choices, actions, reactions, and Life. What if that desire or craving were all just a sneaky trick?

The rest truly works itself out...

Peace and Namaste

Piera

Day 2- Fall Cleanse

2011-09-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

(You'll understand the pic above by the end of this post. So just start reading)

Last night looked like this:

11pm Got to bed, after having already gone perhaps 20 times to the bathroom that day. 4L of liquids can easily do that.

12:30 am Up to go to the bathroom.

12:31 Back in bed. Fall asleep to the still playing ipod on low volume.

2:30 Up to go to the bathroom. I recall a dream! It was way to racy to mention here, but I'm glad I got up to remember it.

2:31 Back in bed. I hear such a beautiful thing. Complete silence. I nestle right into the most tranquil and comforting position in bed. I'm awake long enough to let the dark depth of the night remind me there is always stillness if we can just get quiet enough. Yes, that is actually what I thought.

4:23 Up and grumbling on the way to the bathroom. Dam dandelion tea. Maybe I put too much in the pot. I just want to sleep and meet my angels. Stumbling back to bed, as I didn't see the dresser that has been there since I moved in over 10 years ago, I stub my toe. Ya profanities came out. I judged that reaction at first, then remembered it's all part of letting go of crap. So I'm off the hook for a few not so poetic words.

Actually I'm allowing myself to be whatever surfaces for the duration of this cleanse. If you call me and I'm not my usual self, well you are forewarned. Just play along and enjoy the show.

I kid you not 5:05 Up again! I'm thinking my kidneys are getting quite a workout by now, and I must be 5 pounds lighter already. Talk about releasing water retention. I crawl back into bed, and safely avoided the dresser and the dog by my bed. Ya a squashed chihuahua would not have been a pretty thing.

I laid in bed and visions of chocolate mousse swirled in my head. Then the mousse was being spread on chocolate croissants by Javier Bardem and he was trying to feed me one and I wanted to curse the cleanse and who ever invented them for eternity. Just as I was about to take the croissant past my lips, I wake up again.

7:00 am What? Where did Javier go? Ugggghhh I realize I was hallucinating or dreaming. I need to pee once again. I've woken up with a gnawing craving. But alas, the day must start and I prepare my green smoothie with Javier still lingering in my consciousness.

Last night was interesting. As much as I know how these cleanses work and no matter how much I prepare myself for facing the first week of this, I still want to whine.

Here is a Green smoothie you may want to try for yourself. I can't promise Javier will come and feed you chocolate croissants, but this will make every cell of your existence smile and do jumping jacks.

Piera's Power Smoothie

1/2 cup organic blackberries

1/2 cup blueberries

2 oz of wheat grass juice

1 bunch of kale

2 tablespoons of hemp seeds

1/2 avocado

2 tablespoons almond butter

1 tablespoon raw honey

2 tablespoons of Chia seeds

1 tablespoon of Spirulina

1 cup of filtered water

Blend all of the above in a blender. Serves 2. Javier's serving is still on the counter. Maybe one day...

Namaste

Piera

My Fall cleanse! Day 1

2011-09-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

I'm back to this blog again. Have taken a hiatus. Sometimes life throws us some curves that can block the writing drive. I had to play ball and got struck from a few. Everything passes :)

I return with commencing my yearly Fall cleanse. I'm so looking forward to all this season has to bring to me. It's a time of harvest just before the big retreat of the winter months. It's a time now to truly reflect on the gracious blessings that are in our lives.

I know its been a rather hectic time for me these past few months. So a cleanse is something I fully embrace now as it will allow me to let go of what is not needed right now in my life, and it will help to let go of the past.

How does a cleanse do this? Well for me, I feel things beyond solely the physical plane. A cleanse to me isn't just juicing a little more, taking herbs and eating lighter. I truly take the time to reflect, get introspective and listen to what the deeper sensations within are saying.

Remember when you do a cleanse you are embarking on a whole body, mind and soul endeavour. Only if you are aware and have the intention to do so of course. But why just do a cleanse to see physical benefits only? Why not get the most out of it, and transform even more deeply. Food for thought ;) Make those green foods....

Things I picked up today for my 30 day cleanse:

Betonite clay- An amazing product that helps to chelate toxins or absorb them from the intestinal wall and pull them out of the colon.

Psyllium husk fiber supplement- Fiber helps to keep hydration in the colon at optimal levels as well as providing bulk. It will also help the clay move through and do its job more effectively. So these two work in harmony.

Herbs: Burdock root - a blood cleanser and purifier which helps the detox process.

Red clovers- another blood purifier. During a cleanse you want to ensure that toxins don't build up in the blood and that they get ushered out as effectively as possible.

Milk thistle root- one of the best liver detoxifiers in the plant world. Milk thistle will help keep the liver from becoming too overburdened from the colon's release of toxins.

Licorice root- An adrenal support herb that will lessen the stress during a cleanse.

Dandelion root- a natural diuretic that will eliminate excess retention of water and helps the lymph nodes release toxic build up.

Ashwahghanda- my favourite adaptogen in existence. It supports the immunity, relieves effects of stress, feeds the adrenals and helps reduce any stress from withdrawal from substances and addictions of any kind.

Liquid Chlorophyll- the best natural internal deodorizer around. It also purifies the blood, is great for anemic states as it helps fortify the blood and absorb natural iron.

Spirulina- A potent sea plant that not only provides one of the highest sources of bio available and highly assimilable protein, but also trace marine minerals that support our whole biological make up.

Ginseng tincture- I include this one for supporting energy levels. During a cleanse you can become very fatigued as your body lets go of toxic build up. Ginseng is a powerful adaptogen that also supports the sexual system as well. So bonuses everywhere ;)

My diet is fairly clean to begin with and I don't do much alcohol. ( Is vino alcohol really? hehe) I'm cutting out dairy, coffee, and chocolate for the next 30 days. Eeeek! I can really do without most, except for chocolate. That will be the temptress in all of this. Oh my mocha madness tendencies will be quite interesting to observe the next 30 days. I'll call out for an SOS if it becomes a problem of dire straits.

However I must mention though, I had given up chocolate for 40 days this past Lenten season and that absence actually helped bring down the addiction quite dramatically overall.

Interesting.

When we let go of our attachments for a sustained amount of time, the mind eventually gives up on trying to seduce us back. With any addiction it's really the first two weeks that are the hardest. After that, it's really all uphill. Just remember your mind is the biggest trickster around. Claim power over that, and you own all that you desire :)

If you have any questions about cleansing or starting a detox, I invite you to message me. Always here to answer the call.

Namaste

Piera

Dirty Dairy Facts- Why dairy can be DEADLY!

2011-06-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

The campaign tried to sell us on the white liquid.

Big white moustaches streaked the upper lips on all kinds of celebs who chose to sell out. "Milk does the body good"! was the tag line.

Really???

I didn't buy it. Here is why.

Milk first and foremost is something only we humans decide to drink past our weaning stage. Every other animal on this planet does not drink milk after they are weaned off momma's bosom. They go on to eat grass, plants or wild berries if they are lucky enough. The domesticated ones are subject to the poisons industrial farmers choose to feed them with.

Most dairy cows are not fed natural feed, let alone grass. If you really care to know more about the disgusting dairy industry, I invite you wholeheartedly to read "Eating Animals" by Jonathon Foer. The book explicitly details the atrocious methods, and practices most industrial farmers practice to make as much milk as they legally can in the shortest amount of time.

Here is what your regular milk contains:

Pharmaceutical grade HORMONES- so no kidding our children are obese by the age of 6.
Pharmaceutical grade ANTIBIOTICS- keeping large numbers of livestock in warehouses creates a breeding ground for bacterial sickness. So they pump them up with lots of nasty antibiotics to keep them from dying and spreading disease. YUMMMM!
All the pesticides and artificial fertilizers used to make the feed
Many also feed the cows other cows, other dead animals. Again YUMMMMM!
Milk can also contain pus and blood that is present in the mother's utter from infections caused by over lactation and general stress.

Ready to have that latte now?

Here are 5 other reasons why ELIMINATING COW milk is a great idea:

1) Milk is pasteurized: It has to be, considering all the potential for bacteria or viruses to be present. Pasteurization successfully kills bad bacteria, but it also kills the good bacteria you need! So essentially you are getting a DEAD product. NO VALUE. So get over the idea that you need it to get CALCIUM. That is a savvy way the dairy industry SELLS THIS CRAP TO YOU.

2) Lactose Intolerance: I am convinced that this is such a rampant problem now because people have been consuming milk like it was water. Over consumption of anything will cause digestive problems in the longterm with artificial foods like milk. Milk is NOT NATURAL. It is not supportive or nutritious to our bodies. Lactose intolerance gets worse not better when people continue to consume "lactose free" milk. The next point will explain why.

3) PRO INFLAMMATORY: Due to the type of fat milk contains, it causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation is proven to be linked to Cancer, heart disease, and bowel diseases such as colitis, Chrohn's and IBS. Milk, a source of arachidonic acid when consumed in excess, promotes inflammatory cells and hormones. It also disrupts alkalinity in the body, and if you are over acidic in your body PH than you create a favourable environment for disease and free radicals to go haywire.

4) Allergies and INTOLERANCES: With inflammation comes other consequences. One most important one is a LOWERED IMMUNITY. Inflammation stresses the body and therefore takes the bodies reserves to heal. Your immunity becomes compromised and your tolerance for things also is at risk. You are thus more susceptible to allergies and food sensitivities.

It is almost certain that when I see a child for allergies, chronic asthma or digestive intolerances to numerous foods, they consume large amounts of dairy in their diet.

5) Dairy is the MOST MUCOUS FORMING food out there: This means that the whole respiratory system is put in a highly compromised position. Milk creates sticky mucous that coats everything internally. So when you have a respiratory condition already like asthma, or chronic sinusitis, MAKE THE LINK TO YOUR DAIRY CONSUMPTION. It's a HUGE connection. If your airways are coated in sticky goo, then breathing is harder, eliminating phlegm is more difficult, and essentially healing becomes a longer ordeal.

Also whenever you do experience a cold, flu or respiratory infection the first thing is to get OFF ALL DAIRY. Any intelligent and conscientious doctor will advise this. If your doctor thinks this is airy fairy BS than change your doctor.

So to conclude...

Milk does not do the body good!

I would love to hear your experiences, comments and thoughts on this subject.

To your health always,

Namaste

Piera

How to heal HIGH CHOLESTEROL naturally!

2011-06-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

So your doc declares you have "high cholesterol". Yet another label to deal with. Not to fret, let's clear the myths from the current facts.

Good vs. Bad Cholesterol is part of the problem.

It was once thought that simply raising the "good" HDL cholesterol was the answer to this problem. It is part of the equation, but not the whole gig. So do strive to include better whole foods in your diet, which are going to fuel the body and not cause an increase in the lousy cholesterol or LDL.

Power foods for lowering bad cholesterol:

Garlic, Garlic, GARLIC!! - also helps lower blood pressure beautifully
Omega rich foods such as salmon, mackeral, sardines, flax oil, borage and primrose oil
Organic virgin Coconut Oil ( also anti inflammatory which is very indicated for those with high LDL
Beta carotene foods: Carrots, yams, dark greens like Kale, collards
SPIRULINA- its the elixir to everything period.
ARTICHOKES- one of the best foods to clear a congested liver, to detox and overall blood cleanser

Oxidative Stress is the other side of the coin

In addition to addressing the LDL cholesterol, we need to understand how serious oxidative stress is to our bodies. This happens when "free radicals" are not kept in check and left to disrupt the balance of our cells and whole body.

Oxidative stress is caused by smoking, ingesting processed foods ( pasta, bread, cookies, anything packaged, boxed, in a carton or bag) , fried foods, sugar, excess alcohol, drugs and conventional medications, HIGH STRESS levels, not exercising enough, over exercising, pesticides and fertilizers in our food, and environmental pollution.

The cleaner your diet, the less oxidative damage is caused to the body. So eating clean must be the first step you take.

Secondly you should aim to increase the amount of oxidants you eat everyday through food and through supplementation, at least in the beginning phase of your attempt to lower your cholesterol.

High Anti oxidant Foods:

SPIRULINA
CHLORELLA
Acai juice or supplements
Aloe Vera juice
Goji berries
Dark green, red, orange, yellow vegetables
All kinds of BERRIES
Wheat grass juice
Green drinks/supplements
PLANT STEROLS- concentrated nutrients found in supplements at your health food store

Include these foods everyday! Also take higher doses of Vitamin C and B to counter the effects of stress on the body.

Understand that the body works as a whole. It cannot be dissected and treated in parts, even if conventional doctors will have you believe. Cholesterol is a symptom of an overall in balance in the body. STRESS is the underlying cause of most disease processes.

Therefore, treat that first! Manage emotional and mental stress by taking time for yourself. Lower physiological and physical stress by eating clean and exercising on a regular basis in a way that makes you FEEL GOOD. And set some time to do the spiritual work. You just cannot ignore this last one. Going inwards, taking time to reflect, journal, pray and really appreciate the great things in your life are important for all of this to work.

Once all the pieces fit, you are no longer left with a puzzle :)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

www.coreconnectionshealing.com

A Tired You is A Tired Thyroid

2011-06-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

You feel fatigue. You hardly can get out of bed in the morning without groaning. Just walking to your car seems a struggle. You're achy, and feeling lethargic has now become the mainstay.

What is up with that?

Dealing with chronic low energy is not normal. Many have come to believe that it is just the way it is. We become so used to it that we are unaware of how much it affects our day to day mental, physical and emotional functions. It just may be a poor functioning thyroid.

Getting your thyroid checked is a must. Your adrenals are most definitely also affected and must be treated alongside the low thyroid issue. Hypothyroidism or low functioning thyroid is at epidemic proportions it seems for the overworked, over stressed, over pressured and on demand A types who are nearing a very critically dangerous state of health. When the well runs dry, you simply cannot fetch for more water!

Supplements for Hypothyroidism:

My philosophy with supplements is always to use them in chronic, and depleted states of ill health. I never advocate taking supplements in large quantities or in substitution for a good, clean and nutritious diet. However, 90% of urban people have adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. The only way to build that up is by supplementing for the first phase of their health plan. That is my strategy in practice.

L-tyrosine- an amino acid that is a precursor to thyroid hormone, and must be present for it to function optimally.

B vitamins- All B vitamins are supportive in times of stress. Buy a B complex and take 2 50mg capsules everyday. These support our energy needs, helps stabilize moods especially anxiety, and balances the nervous system. When you are treating thyroid and adrenals STRESS is the number 1 enemy. So anything that can nourish the nervous system and counter the stress response is highly indicated.

Vitamin C: This is required in any high stress state. Our bodies go into vitamin C overdrive, and use up any incoming Vitamin C at a much more rapid and intense rate. Eating oranges is not going to cut it. Unless you have access to freshly picked oranges daily and consume a bushel, I would say take the caps. Vitamin C is just a given. Take 500mg at least 3 times day or to bowel tolerance.

Selenium: One of the most important minerals and antioxidants around. Our soils are now depleted more than ever and so we are not getting enough of this mineral through our diets. It was also found by french researchers to contribute to auto immune disorders affecting the thyroid and creating low functioning thyroid conditions. Selenium supports the thyroid in making thyroid hormone and aids the metabolism.

Great food sources of selenium are : Brazil nuts, tuna, cod, eggs and whole unprocessed grains.

Spirulina and Marine Phytoplankton Algae: These 2 are pure food sources. So go crazy with them. They literally are the most potent and nutrient dense foods we have on the planet.

Spirulina ounce per ounce has more protein, iron, minerals, and vitamins than any animal product out there. Also these supplements build the blood, thereby increasing energy and boosting the immunity like nothing else.

Iodine: A natural source of iodine may help those who have a high TSH number and low thyroid output. The thyroid may not be converting the hormones effectively. If you are going to supplement with iodine do so only with a natural source. Instead of buying pure iodine, the better option is to take bladderwrack herbal capsules, eat seaweed like nori, dulse and take seaweed such as Kelp in capsule form. Again these are food supplements and not extracted minerals condensed into a pill or tincture. Your body will absorb and use what it needs accordingly.

Personal note: SPIRULINA is not just for Thyroid health!

The moment I began taking spirulina my whole physiology changed for the better! I could not believe the immense support this food can give you. It almost seemed miraculous when I first started supplementing with it. I'm literally a Spirulina freak. Yes and some of you who know me personally, would just say ENTIRELY health freaky. I still love you ;)

My energy sky rocketed, my stamina went from struggling to get through a day, to getting back to working out and being active like I used to be. Spirulina and the algaes are SUPER DUPER DUPER foods! Spirulina cured my anemia faster and more sustaining than any iron pills my MD would give me. 2 teaspoons are added to my morning shake every morning! I just don't leave home without it

These are whole foods, and not substances extracted from foods, and therefore YOU ARE GETTING PURE fuel sources.

Your body wants that. Your body craves and is screaming for that kind of sustenance. Your body can assimilate, process and use these types of supplements better than anything else. Consider this whenever you are shopping for health food products.

Remember: When your health is compromised, and you are in a depleted state taking larger amounts of vitamins, minerals and other supplements is safe (I am not referring to mega dosing, just more than what is advised for healthy people on a maintenance health program).

Words of Caution: Make sure to consult with a professional practitioner before you begin any supplementation or healthcare program. The suggestions here are not intended to diagnose or treat your specific situation. A professional must always work alongside your efforts :)

To your thyroid health!

Namaste

Piera

Foods that will HARM your thyroid: Part 2 Hypothyroid Solutions

2011-06-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

"Let medicine be your food, and let your food be your medicine".

Hipprocrates knew what he was talking about. Just like a car performs better with higher quality fuel, so does your body and mind.

It still often amazes me how much I hear people complain they feel tired, and sluggish and no desire to move, yet don't see the connection to their really poor food choices. You just are what you eat- day in and day out.

If you are currently eating fried food, fast foods, white processed anything (bread, chips, baked goods, pancakes, pasta, white rice ect ect.) sugar, excessive amounts of alcohol, fatty meats and candy all day long than guess what, you can't perform at your best.

We often feel we will be "deprived" when we are told we should be eating cleaner healthier meals. But don't you already feel robbed and "deprived" of your energy, health and VITALITY?

I've seen some 50+ year olds with more of ENERGY, vitality and vigour than some 30 year olds I know. That infectious energy we all deserve is really our natural state. We just settle to accept it as "part of getting older".

Diet and HYPOTHYROIDISM:

Contrary to what conventional medical doctors believe, your diet can impact the health and function of your thyroid quite significantly. Food like a drug, triggers chemical responses in your body that will activate or suppress a number of reactions and processes. Food impacts hormonal activity, mood modulators in the nervous system, sugar levels and much more.

So which foods are good and which are best to avoid with Hypothyroidism?

FOODS TO AVOID:

Processed foods such as: White flour, bread, baked goods, essentially anything that comes in a box, package, box, wrapper, carton or bag. These foods burden the body and place more demands on the body to process, assimilate and eliminate. Your thyroid needs less work, so stay with clean foods.
RAW Vegetables: some veggies in their RAW form suppress the thyroid function and interfere with iodine assimilation. AVOID RAW:
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cauliflower
Kale
Cabbage
Mustard Greens
Spinach

SOY avoid all soy products and beans themselves. SO no TOFU, soy based burgers or hotdogs, tempeh or edamame. These cause hormonal triggers that interfere with your thyroid and iodine assimilation.
MSG, commercial iodized table salt, artificial sweeteners
ALL SUGAR!
Fake fats like margarines, excessive amounts of animal fats
Commercially raised meat, dairy, eggs and poultry. Regular meat is FULL of antibiotics, artificial hormones and all the pesticides and fertilizers used on the feed they eat. So your ingesting it too!
COFFEE and caffeinated products, these stress your body and you need to recover and re nourish your body as much as you can right now. Caffeine will just undo everything else.
Most FRUITS: eat as little fruit as possible, as the sugar poses a strain to cortisol and insulin levels, which already are compromised with thyroid and adrenal deficiency.

Foods To Eat Everyday :

Cooked vegetables
SEA VEGETABLES: a great source of natural iodine
Organic eggs and Brazil nuts: both high in Selenium
Flax oil, Coconut oil, OLIVE OIL: the best fats your body can breakdown and use
Sprouted nuts, grains and seeds
Lean proteins: organic meat, poultry, fish and dairy
CELTIC OR SEA SALT: these have not been bleached an stripped of the essential trace minerals your thyroid needs
WHEAT FREE grains: Oats, Quinoa, spelt and kamut
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds
Freshly juiced Vegetables, preferably on a daily basis

The key to a Hypothryoid friendly diet is to eat less toxic and unnatural food as possible. The more your body has to work to get rid of the toxins, less reserves it has to heal and help you recover from your low functioning thyroid.

In a future post this will tie in with how important it is to de stress and learn to implement stress management techniques for the health of your thyroid.

A low functioning thyroid is essentially a DEPLETED, worn down, burnt out unhappy camper. It is waving a flag, and saying "TIME OUT! I just can't take it anymore!" and has to slow down.

You too will have to follow suit and GIVE YOURSELF a break....

In health until next time

Love and Light

Piera

THYROID 101- Its time to take ACTION!

2011-05-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

I am going to dedicate the next few posts on THYROID health. And more specifically HYPOTHYROID or low functioning thyroid. This has been something I've been dealing with on a personal level.

It can be an immensely frustrating health issue to contend with, especially if you limit yourself to conventional medicine and M.Ds. I have met with 4 different medical doctors and none have even come close to helping me.

Small aside...

The last M.D I saw didn't even look at me when he took the 3 minutes he had to discuss a full panel blood analysis. It is that sad. And when I voiced my concern about a possible Thyroid issue, he suggested I "stop listening to my friends, and Oprah". I was enraged, and really I don't even have the time to watch Oprah. I got up and walked out the door.

However I am not here to bash the system, and God knows how much restraint I need for it. My purpose here is to provide you the opportunity to consider alternatives.

Having blood work is important, and I don't throw everything conventionally based out the window. I do however advocate TAKING RESPONSIBILITY and BEING PRO ACTIVE towards your HEALTH.

Do not allow any one practitioner or doctor to control your desire to heal. GET INFORMED and work with health professionals WHO CARE and make you feel CARED FOR.

Moving on...

My story is one that I believe many women can relate to. I've felt very real symptoms for some time and felt like no one was listening, except when I began searching for other approaches to healing. The first time I met my own naturopath I cannot describe what joy, relief, and sense of hope I started feeling.

Finally someone believed what I was saying and didn't just tell me "I was fine, and to just live with it". I did not feel right, and I knew that chronic fatigue is not my natural state nor was I going to settle with just accepting being tired all the time.

Hypothyroidism is real

Even if your lab results don't show it, you can still have the condition! AND there is help and solutions that will allow you to regain your vitality, body and LIFE back. Having hypothyroid is like a plant that gets watered once a month.

You feel deprived, drained, lethargic and like the walking dead. Most days, it took every ounce of my will and effort to get through a day.

I couldn't think with clarity, felt dizzy all the time, would go for a work out at the gym and need 5 days to recover from it, constipated all the time, felt chilled wearing even 5 layers of clothing, gaining weight even though I maintained a clean stellar diet, felt tired when I had to get up in the morning and wired at night when I needed to sleep, and emotionally down most of the time. I pretended to feel well and of course life responsibilities still had to be met. It really is not a fun place to be.

Actually it really sucked.

And I know that's not the most eloquent word, but it best describes how I felt. I was tired of feeling sick and tired, not being the active joyful me I was, and gaining weight eating BIRD FOOD. But it doesn't have to be this way. And I will show you how to take charge of your own hypothyroidism.

The moment I get excited about a topic, my passion has no limits. So in the upcoming days and weeks ahead you will get cutting edge information and real actions steps you can take to get a hold of this pervasive condition.

Are you one of the 40%?

Dr. Broda Barnes, (good name to google) is the pioneer developer of the "basal body temperature test", and stated that over 40% of women have undiagnosed sub clinical hypothyroidism. That is, their laboratory test results may be normal, yet they have true low functioning thyroids.

Most medical doctors will only base their diagnosis on your lab results if they show a discrepancy in TSH or T3 numbers. Often times these numbers can be "normal" and yet you still present with hypothyroid symptoms which are real and valid.

IT'S NOT IN YOUR HEAD. You still may have a compromised thyroid that needs ATTENTION.

STRESS is a huge cause of HYPOTHYROIDISM!

Even a single episode of hypoglycaemia can depress your thyroid for 18 hours! And we all know how stressed we can become with the daily grind and our westernized lifestyles.

HEALING your thyroid REQUIRES A FULL LIFESTYLE OVERHAUL.

You need to address how well you are taking care of yourself or not. What you eat, how much and quality of sleep you get, how much consistent exercise you get, managing mental, physical and EMOTIONAL stress, are all important considerations!

Thyroid Basics- Your 411 Primer

Function:

It produces thyroid hormones called T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4.
The thyroid hormone regulates just about every cell in the body, including those in the central nervous system, heart, liver, kidneys, skin, bone, and muscles.
Among its most important functions is the control of the rate of metabolism, thermogenesis, and oxygen consumption.
The predominant thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland is the relatively inactive T4. The active form of the hormone, T3 is converted from T4 by peripheral tissues (mostly the liver) as needed. Those with HYPOTHYROID may have a faulty conversion rate and suffer with hypothyroid sometimes without even knowing it. This is where standard testing will not be able to determine the most accurate condition of your thyroid!
The secretion of these hormones is regulated by another hormone called thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (or TSH).
TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland in a pulsatile or circadian rhythm. This stimulating hormone activates the release of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. As thyroid hormones become high (or adequate), TSH secretion from the pituitary gland decreases in what is called a negative feedback mechanism.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

Low body temperature, causing you to feel constantly CHILLY even in warm temperatures
Hair Loss, eyebrow thinning
FATIGUE- constant sluggishness, or exhaustion from little effort, particularly in the morning.
Insomnia or SLEEP DISTURBANCES : The "hard to wake up in the morning and hard to fall asleep at night" syndrome so many stressed people experience. You literally feel you have to drag your butt out of bed and it takes at least an hour to get going in the morning. Then at night when you need to get some rest, you are completely wired and have difficulty sleeping.
POOR CONCENTRATION- brain fog, inability to focus, and poor memory when once you were sharp as a knife
Dry, coarse skin
WEIGHT GAIN and developing an intolerance to intense exercise, when once you had no issues with physical exertion
Inability to lose weight even when drastically cutting calories or maintaining a sensible diet
DEPRESSION and mood swings, feeling apathetic, unmotivated and just plain blah
Constipation, and difficult digestion with pain, and bloating
Adrenal fatigue or exhaustion

Testing:

Full thyroid panel is a good baseline and can indicate if the thyroid is high or low fucntioning. TSH, T3, T4
Basal Body temperature testing: If your average body temperature is consistently lower than 98.6 degrees, it may be a strong indicator for hypothyroid condition.
Adrenal testing should also be considered with a saliva test done by your natropath/homeopathic practitioner. Most often the adrenals are also affected and should be treated alongside the thyroid.

Most at Risk:

Women, 40+ especially those peri menopausal.
People who are chronically emotionally, mentally or physically stressed.
Those with a family history of thyroid disease or other endocrine conditions.
Those suffering from another chronic pathology and/or are on prescription meds for it, such as bowel or digestive diseases, cancer, cardiovascular /heart disease, liver conditions, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, ect, ect.
Those exposed to radiation.
Women right after pregnancy.
Already have another autoimmune disease : i.e. Lupus, MS, arthritis, colitis, allergies
Injury or traumatic accident
Those with HIV/AIDS
Over 60

Next post: Learn which FOODS TO AVOID and harm your hypothyroid.

To your health,

Namaste

Piera

www.coreconnectionshealing.com

5 Ailments you can treat naturally and without resorting to harmful medications.

2011-05-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Popping pills has become a disturbing habit among people looking to find relief from many common maladies. It is always wise to have a full physical, including a full blood panel analysis annually. This way you can rule out any serious conditions or pathologies. Ideally we want to prevent disease from taking place in the first place. Knowing the vital blood markers for health will help you identify any possible areas of concern.

If you suffer from occasional minor headaches, colds, cuts or bruises, coughs, or indigestion there are natural alternatives you can implement instead of reaching for the over the counter chemical based medications.

Remember each time you take a suppressing pharmaceutical drug, you are numbing and not healing the ailment you are experiencing. What you resist PERSISTS!

Headaches:

Remedy: WATER

Consider how well hydrated you are. How much water are you drinking daily? Also how many caffeinated beverages are you consuming? Caffeine based drinks rob your body of vital fluid, and the caffeine often can lead to tension based headaches. Often times headaches are a symptom of a poor diet and a low level of hydration. So cut out artificially sweetened foods and drinks (ie. aspartame based drinks like diet pop), processed foods such as white bread, baked goods, fried foods and anything that comes out of a fast food restaurant. ANYTHING processed has ADDITIVES and chemicals that may be TRIGGERING your headaches. Also you may have a food intolerance or allergy. Most offending allergens are: Wheat, corn, sugar, dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy and gluten.

Indigestion, Nausea, Upset Stomach:

Remedy: GINGER, PEPPERMINT, PRO BIOTICS

Indigestion can be caused by overeating, a food allergy, a virus, ulcers or other digestive diseases and STRESS. So for minor and occasional discomfort you can reach for ginger. Ginger is one of the best anti nausea and tummy settling herbs around. It can help with morning sickness for those expecting, motion sickness from traveling, and nausea brought on by flus or bacterial infections.

My motto with diets and health always is to get your nutrition from whole foods given by mother earth. Supplements have a place, however they should not be relied upon to achieve a sound diet. Probiotics is one supplement that I would say is required by everyone living in a modern industrialized nation. We are far too stressed, rushed, and eat poorly for the most part, to sustain a healthy digestive tract.

Probiotics is the best digestive and immune insurance you can invest in.

It is proven to increase overall immunity, prevent and treat digestive disease such as ULCERS, COLITIS and IBS and symptoms that lead to pathology such as constipation or diarrhea. Probiotics are healthy gut bacteria that will keep a healthy balance of flora in your system.

Sore Throat and Ulcers

Remedy: Licorice Root (tea or tincture formula)

Licorice is an herb with demulcent (soothing, coating agents) and expectorant (rids phlegm and mucous from the respiratory tract) properties. As such it is highly beneficial for minor upper respiratory tract ailments such as coughs, sore throats, and sinus infections. It is also HIGHLY beneficial to those with ulcers, and any inflammation in the digestive tract. Licorice helps to decrease the burning pain that ulcers are known for.

Inflammation is a symptom that should not be left ignored. Your body is telling you something is not balanced, and left supressed with pharmaceutical pills only will eventually cause more serious problems later on. Address the issue underlying the problem by really looking at your lifestyle and what needs to be CHANGED. You alone are responsible for what you eat and how you choose to live your days.

Bruises, Cuts, or Scrapes:

Remedy: Homeopathic Arnica, Olive Oil

Every single household should have Arnica in homeopathic form and topical cream in their medicine chest. This is one of the "miracle" first aid remedies for injuries and 1st stage trauma to tissues. I have seen arnica heal bruises, speed up the healing of bone injuries, muscles and tendons tears and ligament injuries. Nothing works like Arnica.

My own mother suffered a bad fall and nearly broke her nose. I gave her 3 doses of arnica minutes after the fall. She experienced no pain, no blood loss and bruising diminished within a few days!

A patient of mine who suffered minor injuries in a car accident reported that just 2 doses of Arnica (which he had in his car at the time of injury, smart dude!) right after the accident reduced bruising, and pain "miraculously". What should have been major bruising and pain from the impact on his shoulder and face, was minor and healed within 2 days of the accident! Go buy some now if you don't have any, it's really that good!

Olive oil is another healing agent you should consider for cuts and scrapes. The ancient egyptians not only drank this elixir for health, but they slathered it on their bodies to heal the skin. Olive oil has anti bacterial properties and will help heal cuts thereby reducing any chances of SCARRING. Its more than just a tasty salad dressing ;)

To your health always,

Namaste

Piera

The VOICE in your head may destroy your best efforts!

2011-05-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Art work by Glenn Mcleary

There it is again. Do you hear it? "You aren't doing this right! You really are screwing up again. Why are you so stupid? Why can't you get it right? Hurry up, you don't have time to waste! Your hair looks like crap, and its a another fat day." And on and on and on and on it goes.

Does this voice sound familiar?

It's all in your head, and yet the frustration seems so real. The words go on lingering. Your whole body takes on a different state. You become the neurosis, you breath the chaotic voices, your whole being seems to take on the identity of the voice inside your head.

THIS is where it becomes problematic.

It's not that the voice is a problem, or the real culprit here. It's your thinking thoughts about the voices. Its your judgements on what the the thoughts may mean. The moment you begin to judge, criticize, interpret or define that voice, then you have fallen into what I call the EGO TRAP, and that is one icky, sticky, and painful trap to get caught in.

We all have the voice. We all have rambling thoughts that seem to go on and on and on. It's what you do with them that makes or breaks your present moment. If you allow the thoughts to define you, or if you begin to judge the feelings you feel as "bad" or even worse that YOU are bad, stupid, not good enough, not smart enough, not working hard enough or whatever than you will forever be a slave to the suffering and pain you feel.

So here is a suggestion.

Just be.

Sounds too simple? Maybe. But why does everything in life need to be complicated, hard or "not easy" in order to be valid? Why must we have to suffer, slave, live in a continous state of stuggle and challenge in order to feel we have earned a badge in life? A badge which at the end of the day, means ZERO and only pain and suffering to YOU.

Just sit with your pain, suffering, anxiety, neurosis, depression, grief, heartache over a break up, betrayal, anger, sadness or whatever you want to label as your stress or feeling. Without resisting it, and just feel it. You won't crumble, vanish or die. You go inwards, and feel what it is to be human. Then you learn, by purely observing what happens.

Here are 3 steps to break free from that INNER HEAD GAME:

1) Sit and STOP yourself:

Stop for 2 minutes, 3 times a day. That's a huge grand total of 6 minutes of your day. 6 minutes to reset your whole nervous system, and charge your internal connection to source energy. 6 minutes that will give you far more leverage than any cup of coffee, pill or food will ever deliver. Those 6 minutes will increase your productivity like nothing else. Try it, before you blow it off. Then let me know what happens ;)

2) FEEL :

After you physically stop, just feel whatever it is that you are feeling, but here is the kicker : WITHOUT commentary, judgement, or interpretation. This is what we in the mind/ body field call "Be the observer" or the witness to whatever it is that is going on right now in your body, mind and whole being.

3) BREATH:

I just don't get tired of suggesting this one, because time and time and time AGAIN it has brought me to experience peace and internal calm. I can't rave about this enough. Your breath is directly linked to your state of being. As soon as you are STRESSED, anxious, or hurting your breath changes right along with it. YOU NEED TO BREATH with conscious awareness EVERY SINGLE DAY. This means tuning in, and actually feeling your breath move in and out of your body. It has an almost INSTANTANEOUS calming affect! Trust me this is a SAVIOUR to your whole well being.

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

What the heck is Homeopathy? How Homeopathy heals disease and the proof to show it!

2011-05-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

Similia Simibus Curantur = Like Cures Like

Homeopathy is a system of natural medicine that is founded on the principle that "like cures like". Homeopathic remedies are made from substances found in nature such as plants, minerals and animals. These remedies are made from substances that in pure or crude form cause the same symptoms in healthy people. Hence the "like cures like principle".

So for example, when you cut raw onions, you most likely will begin to tear, your eyes get red, and itchy. This is "similar" to that of a histamine reaction in someone who has an allergy. So giving the homeopathic remedy allium cepa (onion), often can help alleviate allergic type symptoms. This is a very basic example to explain the premise here. There are other remedies specifically indicated for the particular reaction you experience. Hence the highly individualized nature of prescribing remedies and treatment.

Homeopaths practice in a manner that offers a very personalized prescription. Patients are given a very thorough session where a record of all their symptoms are recorded. The chief complaint you come in with is often only highlighted for a brief period during the intake. There is an emphasis on understanding ALL the emotional, mental and physical symptoms and their interrelationship . A symptom picture emerges based on the WHOLE individual and not just the allergy or headache. A remedy is then chosen which matches this very specific personalized intake.

Homeopathy also relies on the principle of "minimal dose and dilution". So homeopathic remedies are prepared in a very precise way using highly diluted solutions. The belief is that the higher the dilution, the stronger the potency of the medicine. This goes against the laws of conventional chemistry. However, as we have made and continue to make discoveries in quantum physics and nano biotechnology, we have VOLUMES of documentation to prove how minute substances are far more powerful than once thought.

Scientists such as Greg Braden, Bruce Lipton, and Jacques Benveniste (google these guys when you have a chance, they will blow your socks off!) just to name a few, have astounding research to prove how the quantum world is truly our gateway to medical breakthroughs, and puts the current conventional system in the dinosaur category.

There has been recent heat and debate over the validity and efficacy of homeopathic medicine. It often is a result from conventional medicine attempting to undermine any effort that is not pharmaceutical based healthcare. Big Pharma wants to sell sell sell. The bottom line is their business model. This often comes at the risk of YOUR health. Their ethics are highly questionable. If you don't believe me check this article out and read how studies on medications were faked to pass regulations and get on market shelves:

http://www.naturalnews.com/028194_Scott_Reuben_research_fraud.html

So here are 3 prime examples of how well homeopathy has treated illness.

The following are scientifically documented studies and cases that provide proof for those still skeptical.

1) Cuban Leptospirosis Study:

The largest homeopathic study took place in Cuba, and involved 2.3 million Cuban patients. They were all given 2 doses of homeopathic remedy as a preventative treatment for a hurricane-triggered disease called leptospirosis. With this treatment the infection rate for this bug dropped down to nearly ZERO! Check this site for more info

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197128.php

2) Bristol Homeopathic Hospital

From 1997-2003 we have documentation of one of the most comprehensive patient outcome surveys that analysed over 23,000 outpatient consultations at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital in the U.K. The follow up records show that more than 70% showed clinical improvement following homeopathic treatment. Impressive were the following results for these specific disease ailments:

Asthma improved in 89%
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome improved in 72%
Crohn's/Ulcerative Colitis improved in 76%
Depression improved in 71%
Eczema improved in 82%
Chronic headaches and migraines improved in 74%
Irritable Bowel Syndrome improved in 71%
PMS and Menopausal symptoms improved in 77%
Rheumatoid Arthritis improved in 70%

Need more proof? Then please check out :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/4454856.stm

3) The Lancet Allergy Study:

The Lancet has been hot and cold towards homeopathy, however this particular 8 week trial was published with a huge amount of supportive attention. The trial examined 28 patients who were divided into a double blind study for 4 weeks. One group received a homeopathic remedy of their allergen in a 30CH potency. and the other received a placebo. Participants were tested by using the conventional prick test for allergies. After the first week 9 of the 11 experienced improvement compared to the 5 of 13 in the placebo group. The homeopathic group experienced a median 53% increase in histamine resistance compared to only 7% in the placebo group.

Homeopathy is an incredibly effective, deep acting yet gentle treatment for disease and illness. It promises a less invasive way to address disease symptoms. It often can help prevent further progression of disease and in many cases cure pathologies. This is however dependant on a number of factors.

It is said that when the student is ready the teacher appears. Well with healing, I believe that when the patient is ready, the healing and cure appear to support the patient's own healing capacity. You must have the intention to want to heal, and let go of what is in the way of that.

Sometimes that is our own selves. Our thoughts, actions and words all play a part in what results in our lives. Let's aim at being our own best friend, instead of our own worst enemy :)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

www.coreconnectionshealing.com

The CURE to your STINKIN' THINKIN'!

2011-05-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

It's really quite simple to manifest better and better outcomes in your life. It does require effort and daily practice of a certain type of mindset, attitude and perspective on life. 100 people could be given the same circumstances and depending on their attitude and belief system, the outcomes result in a myriad of ways.

How do you face each day? What do you bring to the table of your life situations? If you choose to believe in constraints, negatives, and limitations than that is your result. If you navigate this wondrous life we have with a sense of gratitude, appreciation and openness of mind than guess what, that is what you ultimately manifest over and over and over again.

Your life experiences are a direct reflection of the THOUGHTS, INTENTIONS, and BELIEFS you harbour on a consistent basis. Zig ziglar describes the negative, pessimistic outlook quite nicely by calling it "Stinkin' Thinkin' ". As one of this world's most renowned motivational speakers, Ziglar is a prime example of what can be done when you make the effort to surround yourself with positive PLACES, PEOPLE, and THINGS. He was a self made man, and proved that whatever your heart desires is possible if you can harness the power of your thoughts and beliefs. You are what you eat, say, do, think and believe. You just cannot escape that fact!

So EVERY single day you must do a check up from the neck up. This means you need to feed your mind, body and soul with POSITIVE energy, thoughts, beliefs, and INTENTIONS.

It truly is the only way to live a more successful, prosperous, satisfying and blessed life.

HOW TO BECOME A POSITIVE POWER HOUSE

1) Surround yourself with positive, successful, vibrant people

Just today I was fortunate enough to spend some time with a friend who exudes from every pore positive infectious energy. He helped me turn some of my limited thought patterns right around and see the scenario in a more prosperous light. You must check out his site and see what this guy offers to the world : www.http://SpiritSentient.com/ and http://JasonFonceca.com/

2) Rev up the Engine RIGHT when you first WAKE UP:

The first 5 minutes after you wake up are the most critical of your day. You can either gear yourself to approach the day with a head full of abundant awesomeness or you can settle in to your gloomy and limited mindset. Which sounds more fun? You have the choice EVERYDAY! Don't pass the buck and make excuses it's out of your control to get more out of your life. Excuses eventually causes regrets, which eventually cause you to resent and live in more pain and suffering. What do you really want in this life? Begin each morning seeing it, visualize it with every fabric of your being, make is so real that you can't help but be excited to live the passions and dreams in your life.

3) THOUGHTS+ BELIEFS+ WORDS= Actions & Outcomes

Every thought you have creates an outcome. Every BELIEF you harbour creates an outcome. Every WORD you utter creates an outcome. Do you see a pattern here? Change your thoughts, beliefs and words, and watch your world change. Don't take this lightly. THOUGHTS and WORDS become things. Talk crap, and you get crap. Think crap and guess what you get crap. So what do you really want in life?

4) Your BODY is your Temple:

I've touched on this in past blog posts. Some people take better care of their cars then their bodies. It blows my mind. You have to live in your body 24/7. Your energy level, your health and how you feel on a daily basis is a direct result of how you choose to take care of your body or not. Treat it with respect, give it healthy food, move it daily, and ultimately LOVE it and you won't feel like crap. If you can't get through a full day feeling strong, vibrant and motivated than you aren't taking care of your body. It is NOT NORMAL to feel tired, and lethargic for most of the time. Change your lifestyle habits and start to really care about the body you live in. You will be amazed at how much your life will improve on every level once you get this!

5) REVERENCE and GRATITUDE

I saved my favourite ones till last. The quality of of your life is in direct proportion to how much gratitude you feel towards all you have. Even for the bad, dark and ugly stuff. Yes LOVE IT ALL. Truly it all has a purpose and can drive you to achieve things you never would think were possible. The ugly messy things in life are there to point you to the direction of where you would rather be. They are there to teach you lessons about yourself and who you can be.

Reverence is so sacred and powerful in our lives. What do you really respect? What do you honour with all your heart and soul? What is your truth? What are the things you VALUE and would never ever settle for less? Give these things attention, love and care and watch how your external world changes in amazingly gratifying ways.

You need to ask yourself these questions. They are vital if your want to get CLEAR on what is IMPORTANT in your life. If you don't know what is SACRED and NON NEGOTIABLE in your life, than what is the meaning and value of your existence here? Too often we are lenient in this department. The "oh whatever" attitude is an empty, and very weak attitude to have. It will not allow you to live with passion, purpose and vitality.

I always welcome your feedback :)

Namaste

Piera

Emotional eating began when you were in your diapers!

2011-05-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

If you are dieting, have dieted or struggling with your weight you must realize the core problem is not food. Food merely in and of itself is a fuel source available to us to maintain our nutritional needs.

We attach emotions to food from learned behaviour growing up with our caretakers and superiors. Often a sense of gratification is sought after when we eat food in response to our emotional anguish or pain. This is not because you are WEAK or deficient in willpower. That is the most archaic ideology around this subject to exist. You were TAUGHT that food can be a reward, a punishment, filling when you feel empty, "good" or "bad" and many more things your parents, grandparents, teachers and others who were around you led you to believe.

When I see parents rewarding their toddlers with candy or treats because they used the toilet properly, or got an A on their math test I just cringe. Our children are not our pets that we need to praise or scold with food. Emotional eating begins from when we were in our diapers.

Children instinctually know what, how much and when to eat. But because parents are on their own schedules with work, home and daily duties they neglect to give them that much credit. So they feel the need to decide based on what they think is best and their own time constraints.

This truly is not nurturing their children's intuitive ability to eat for their needs. Hence the adult problem many of us face with emotional eating and bingeing.

Thoughts and Actions Hold a Charge

Every thought or action you make is infused with an INTENTION. I will go even further to say that the intention holds a particular energetic vibration or charge. This then produces an outcome or effect. So every time you eat there is a particular energy you are investing into your actions towards the food, yourself and even to others.

When you eat because you are sad, lonely or depressed and filling a void, there is a subconscious thought pattern or learned conditioning that is being perpetuated. When you eat because you are angry, frustrated or anxiety stricken you are reacting to an underlying feeling of fear. Fear is behind every negative emotion out there. We either operate from fear or from the opposite and only healing mechanism available and that is LOVE.

So begin to bring an awareness to every meal and action of eating you have in your day. This is the only way to end the dieting and the insanity that has resulted.

Here are some ways to start being mindful with food :

1. SIT when you eat and preferably not in front of the TV, theatre screen, hockey arena and so on. Stop eating when you are driving or standing. Learn from the italians that do not partake in the drive through or take out mentality. Sit, enjoy and actually know you are eating food.

2. SLOW down. Chew your food with every bite. Put down your fork in between bites. Take a breath every once in awhile. You get the picture. Sounds pretty basic, yet most of us don't even take at least 20 minutes to eat a meal. Shoving food down encourages digestive problems, poor assimilation, and only perpetuates the frenzy and chaotic pace your mind has taken on.

3. Get SENSUAL. I don't have the context here to describe the kinky stuff here, so you can research that for yourself ;) What I do suggest is that you truly begin to SMELL, SEE, FEEL and TASTE your food. We have become so DISCONNECTED to our food, and where it comes from and how we prepare it, that we just seem to go through the motions. Food has an origin. Its grown, cultivated, harvested, transported, sold and eventually arrives in your fridge. Don't forget this. Look at your food. Take the time to prepare meals with a positive intention and not one of "whatever". Taste it by really taking the time to savour what you prepared, what farmers enabled us to have and what you are essentially graced with. Intention, intention, intention!

4. Stop and CHECK IN! This is what every EMOTIONAL EATER must do. You need to stop or pause before you eat. Just make it as habitual as brushing your teeth every morning and night. You must begin to interrupt negative patterns and automatic pilot responses. This is the CORE foundation of my Safe Method program for natural weight loss. You must get in touch with what is happening INSIDE before you reach OUTSIDE. Are you eating because you really are hungry or do you feel pissed off, depressed or bored? Take 2 minutes and close your eyes, 3 deep breaths and assess. With practice, and COMPASSION you will learn how to RESPOND to emotions instead of REACT to them without mindfulness.

I invite you to message me with your stories, comments and experiences around this subject.

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

www.coreconnectionshealing.com

6 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence Now!

2011-05-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

Many of us have at some point or another felt self conscious and down on ourselves. We feel we could be smarter, slimmer, wealthier, funnier, more popular, better mother father or sibling and the list goes on.

How do confident people remain with their chin raised up high and just let things roll off their back? It comes from their connection to their internal Self and from a strong sense of self compassion.

It takes practice, and the process of learning to just be with yourself is the actual goal. We often aim to "get somewhere", to achieve the end result, to "gain the prize" and yes it's phenomenal to have goals and desires. However, if you lose all the lessons, experiences and ultimately yourself in the process you have lost the most priceless thing. Your connection to your higher Self which is the only place we attain ultimate freedom and joy.

Have you ever been engrossed in something you love so passionately that you lost all concept of time, space and fully remained present to the very moment of the experience? That is true freedom from suffering and pain. You are completely experiencing the moment, and you are connected with your heart and soul, and that is pure love in motion. I believe that is what the Buddhists call "Nirvana".

Being confident is related and comes from this inner space of love. You must respect and love yourself in order to project that outwardly to others, your work and your life path. It is from within that we create our external realities. Not the other way around.

6 ways to BOOST your Self Confidence:

1. Take CARE of yourself!

We invest our money with great care, we keep our new home clean and maintained, we cherish the blackberries, ipads, macs, and ipods as if they were our kids, we maintain cars better than our own bodies. It's really quite amazing how much we neglect our own selves in an effort to increase our status and hopefully gain other's approval. Eat a clean and healthy diet free of sugars, excess fats, processed junk and fast food poisons. Go to the gym, or climb, ride, run and hike. Just move and feel the power and strength in your body. Get to sleep at a decent hour, and get at least 7 hours a night. Pray, meditate and give of yourself to those in need. What you put into yourself is what you will be able to offer back to others.

2. Be aware of your body language:

Do you slump when you sit or stand? Do you give half dead handshakes? Do you hold your head up, shoulders straight and look others in the eyes when you are conversing? All these things affect your confidence. Bad posture is not only bad for your spine, but it also does not allow you to share your positive vibrant energy with others. In yoga practice we are repeatedly asked to open the shoulders, and heart centre in every pose. We are thus "allowing" and not closed off to the world or our interaction with another or ourselves.

3. Surround yourself with ADDITIONS:

For some of you that know me personally, you've heard me say this way too many times than you think is necessary. One more time won't hurt. Who you surround yourself with will either add to your life or be a subtraction. Surround yourself with people who value the same core values you hold. Surround yourself with people who are passionate in their own lives about their loves. Surround yourself with people who aren't afraid of being themselves and don't need to fake it to gain acceptance. Surround yourself with people who strive to better themselves, give from their hearts, and really give a dam about others. You don't need drama queens, victims, pessimistic and constantly negative people around you. They become your ENERGY vampires.

4. Focus on Solutions:

We often get caught up in the negative circumstance at hand. That gets us no where. Focus on what you can do to change, or improve something. If you feel out of shape and body conscious start to develop a real plan to overhaul your daily habits. You have to really want to change in order to see things improve in your life. Too many times we give up on our ourselves because we allow our minds to convince us we're not good enough. Tell it take a hike, and then take ACTION , with baby steps to achieve want you want in life. You are worth it, and if you don't believe that with every ounce of your being, you will forever struggle to achieve anything you desire in life.

5. Increase Competence and Knowledge:

There is always room to learn something new, or expand on your current skill set. The caveat here is to do this with the intention of improving something you love, and are passionate about. Not to acquire another badge or trophy so you can impress mom. Learn from reading books, interacting with people in your career field or network, collaborating with your community or taking a course. If you are a writer and want to gain more competence in this arena , simply keep the seat of your pants on the seat of your chair. Practice whatever it is you want to improve in your life.

6. Gratitude and use that killer smile as often as you can:

Gratitude is by far one of the most healing, and positive generating emotions we can have. We can easily lose sight of all the phenomenal abundance already present in our lives. We can take for granted that we can walk, see, talk, and eat without assistance. We can forget how much freedom we have living in a 1st world country that honours free speech and all human rights and freedoms. When we keep complaining about what it is "wrong" in our lives we fail to see all that is "right" beautiful and truly amazing in our lives. Shift your focus, and you instantly shift your personal vibration. Try this out. Just smile more. It's simple really. Smile for no reason at all. Then smile for all the numerous things that are awesome in your life. We all have them. Its just our choice to see them.

Head up, shoulders strong and strut like you own the world ;) The only person you need to convince is yourself. Eventually you'll believe how great you already are ;)

Namaste

Piera

The Power of Presence-How to live with less pain, more joy and enduring peacefulness.

2011-04-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

"The greatest gift you can give is the quality of your presence". - Richard Moss

The more you live in the present moment, the greater your opportunity to transform your life from a stuck painful place to one embodying ease and peace.

What is the Ego? What prevents us to go beyond our illusions?

Being present in this very moment encourages you to detach from the ego and the constructs it builds from past and future thoughts. The Ego's aim is to keep you identified with a certain "me" it creates from past experiences, and conditioning. So we come to believe we are our titles, our status in society, our traumas of the past, our cars, homes, bank accounts and even our diseases. You thus fall asleep to your true, or higher Self. A Self that needs nothing to exist. It doesn't need praise, discouragement, antagonism or constant approval. The higher Self is pure awareness, experiencing everything as an observer and unconstrained being.

The power of presence has become one of my main focuses in my work and life. If we can incorporate more and more moments of just "being" instead of doing we are offered an immense opportunity to truly awaken to the blessings at hand.

How much has passed you by because you became enthralled by negative states and thoughts? How much of that thinking was based in the past or future?

So you are living in illusions, with events that either do not exist any longer, or haven't even manifested. The moment I realized I was doing this I couldn't believe how insane it truly is to live that way.

That is why we experience pain, suffering, "dis-ease", and all that is opposing our true peace filled Self. We may then hurt others and project the pain, because all too often it becomes unbearable to sustain ourselves. We may neglect our own needs because the Ego will convince you, you need to be liked, and approved by others. We begin to own other's baggage with feelings of guilt and self blame because again we are fiercely scared we may lose all the supposedly "unconditional" love given to us.

This is our true pain. It is our separateness from our Source, and if I may, God. Every time we lose our Core Connection to that Source, the One that creates and gives life to everything, we feel pain. It's really that simple. We are never separate from God. It is only that we fall asleep and lose awareness of the Presence.

How to Become Present: 3 Simple Practices:

One great thing about being present, is that we realize how blessed and amazing our lives really are. Staying stuck in the past or anticipating the future keeps us in a state of dissatisfaction and we easily lose perspective of all the abundance already present in our lives.

1) Stop/Pause:

Take 5. Drop everything, shut it all off, and just be. Make it a habit to just take a 5 minute pause twice in your day, and feel your body, your breath and check in to see what is happening inside. You can also pause just before you leap out of bed, before starting the ignition, before you take the first bite of your lunch, or just before you say something in a moment of conflict. It is not as time consuming as you may think, it just requires regular practice and effort.

2) The Breath:

This is the cornerstone of everything. It literally is. The breath is what animates you, a direct link to your inner being, and physiologically, a key tool to relax the central nervous system and adrenaline stress response. Breath from below the belly button, inititating the inhale there and allow the chest to fill and follow. Exhale in the opposite manner, allowing the chest to fall and then contract the lower abdomen.

Breath into your pain, whether its physical, mental or emotional. Being present with uncomfortable sensations gives us the opportunity to feel what is really going on, and not suppress the emotional state. You grow to realize that pain is fleeting, a momentary thing and not your essential Self. You come to your most compassionate self when you can just allow yourself to be human.

3) Prayer/Meditation:

In prayer we find the opportunity to forgive, accept ourselves and others, and practice gratitude. These three things are based on love. They are what heals our wounds, our suffering, and our physical illnesses.

In prayer and meditation you can let go, of your judgement, your anger, your guilt, your need to defend and realize there is a higher path. One that enables you to see how blessed and love filled you already are. Once we come to this place, then we can share and offer that outwardly, creating positive change and transformation in our lives and with those we love.

Wishing you many moments of the now,

Namaste

Piera

Get Healthy Happy Hips and CURE Your Back Pain!

2011-04-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

We hold a lot of tension in our hips. We sit at work, we sit in cars, we sit on couches and this all adds up to tight hip flexors and hamstrings. We have become a very sedentary society, and the effects are discouraging and critically affecting our health in more ways than we realize.

Sitting for hours on end encourages muscle tension, lack of mobility of the spinal muscles and fluids, and an endless list of health risks. The spine is the most precious skeletal structure in your body. The health of your spine determines so much of your overall level of health. It is the primary structure that keeps your whole body connected. It is not only composed of bones, but connects numerous nerves, blood vessels and holds spinal fluid which is one of the most precious fluids in your body.

The longer you stay seated, hunched, lying on your sofa the more you encourage the decompression of the disks in your spine. This over time causes degeneration of the whole skeleton, compressed nerves, and osteoporosis.

Yoga Keeps You Young!

Keep your spine healthy with Yoga and exercise and you will also slow down the aging process. People who don't exercise or keep good posture will age much more quickly. Exercise brings more oxygen to your whole system, and improves bodily processes such as growth, regeneration, assimilation, and elimination.

The hip bone, the lumbar veterbrae and sacrum make up the pelvic area of your body. Tight muscles surrounding the hip joint creates tension and pulls primarily the lower back out of alignment. This translates to possible back problems such as sciatica, lower back pain, and degenerative disk disease. Low back pain is the second major contributor to sick days taken by the workforce. That is a huge problem for both business and personal productivity.

Healthy Hips for a Healthier Back!

The following 4 exercises will encourage back health, open hips, and prevent acute and chronic back pain conditions.

Pigeon Pose: focuses on piriformis, glutes, it band

One of the best and most intense hip openers around, the pigeon pose will encourage the IT Band to lengthen, and bring more circulation to the entire hip area. Try to keep the front shin parallel to the front edge of your mat, keep the spine straight and aim to maintain both hips square and levelled facing forwards.

Knee to Ankle pose (Agnistambhasana): focuses on piriformis, IT band, lower back

This is a seated pose where you bring your ankle to rest on the opposite knee. The key here is not to force the knee down. Knees should never feel pain, or go beyond a moderate sensation. If you already feel it in your knee, do not fold over. Simply breath into those tight areas, and with time you will develop more flexibility.

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose): focuses on outer hip, erector spinae, lower back

The key here is to twist from the lower spine, pulling the belly in towards the navel, and not compromising the alignment of the spine in the twist. It is far better to twist a little less, and have a straight spine. You will notice a beautiful quality to the breath when you don't go beyond where you are currently at.

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) : focuses on inner outer thighs, lower back, erector spinae

This is one of my favourite seated poses because it targets the outer and inner hips, and groins. If you cannot maintain a straight back with ease and stability then do not proceed to fold over. Just stay upright and you may find placing your hands behind your hips a great help to keep you straight in this pose. Eventually your hips and groins will lengthen and open enough for you to maintain the pose without using your hands.

Incorporate these poses in your daily practice and in only a few weeks time you will see an amazing improvement in your mobility and the overall flexibility of your spine. Say good bye to any back pain and watch how you improve in all the poses of your practice!!!

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

3 Essential Oils You Must Include in Your Medicine Cabinet!

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

What's in your medicine cabinet right now? Do you currently have a good first aid kit in your home and car?

If not, it's time to take inventory and perhaps you may need to add some very essential essential oils. If these are not presently in your kit, I reccomend you visit a reputable health food store that carries a high quality brand of oils and puchase the following 3 for now.

1) Thyme oil: This is an old favourite amongst folk remedies. It's one of the principle oils that makes up the super potent anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti parasitic blend called "Thieves oil". I'm suggesting thyme because it's a little more economical. If you can afford and find Theives oil (http://www.secretofthieves.com/) then include that one as well.

Thyme oil can be used to disinfect wounds (dilute with water or oil) , can be used internally (again diluted) to kill bacteria, viral, parasitic and fungal infections. It is highly indicated for many respiratory ailments such as coughs, bronchitis, and sore throats. It's also a stimulant and therefore may help to increase the digestive process and help with indigestion and tummy ailments. It also is one of the best for fungal toenail infections and unlike conventional drugs will have no effects on the liver, or internal organs.

Bonus: Great for cleaning and disinfecting household surfaces without using artificial chemical based cleaners. Dilute a few drops in half litre of water and spray counter tops, floors, and your YOGA MAT!

2) Oregano oil: By far my favourite of the 3 because it is an immune boosting powerhouse. Oregano will help keep viral and bacterial infections at bay and that means a much happier cold/flu season for you and your loved ones. It also can help with the antihistamine response many are starting to deal with, as the onset of the allergy season comes upon us. It acts as an anti inflammatory as well helping to speed the healing process right up.

Oregano oil can be used topically for minor skin infections and even those that are fungal and parasitic in nature. It can also be used on insect bites during those outdoor camping events many of you are planning already.

3) Tea Tree Oil: I love this oil simply because it can be used in soo many useful ways and it's effective! Use diluted in a carrier oil like pure almond oil, and apply it topically to acne and blemishes on the face and whole body. It helps to kill the surface bacteria that leads to break outs. Tea tree oil can also be diluted in water and used as a mouth wash. This is better prevention of cavities than fluoride and way less harmful or invasive. It can treat mouth sores, minor gum infections, and helps keep the gums and teeth free of bacteria causing plaque. It can be applied to cuts, abrasions, and insect bites as well. It must be diluted as with all essential oils, as it is a very concentrated source of the plant essence.

When buying oils make sure you find products that specifically say they can be used internally, that way you can use it if necessary both ways. Always, always dilute these oils in a carrier oil when you apply them topically. Good suggestions here are jojoba oil, almond oil, or rose oil.

Plan B: My motto is always to have a plan B ;)

If you are out of these essential oils, and you get cut, scratched or come across a minor wound you can apply virgin olive oil to the affected area. Olive oil is naturally anti bacterial, anti viral and supports the healing of soft tissues.

I grew up being raised with this practice. I'd fall, scrape a knee and my grandmother would take the bottle of olive out and start pouring away. Ancient Romans and Greeks lived by this knowledge. They literally would bathe in olive oil and it was highly revered as a sacred healing gift from the gods.

So let's do as the Romans did and get back to the essentials ;)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

New Yoga Series!!: Yoga is for Stiff and Inflexible People

2011-04-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

A new yoga series for you!

This intro post will dispel some myths and help you understand why Yoga is for everyone. Let's get to it!

Myth: Yoga is for those super stretchy people who can put both feet behind their head naturally.

Myth: Yoga is for a certain type of body, ie. lanky, thin, ectomorph types.

Myth: Yoga is a nice supplement for your really "tough serious " gym workout regime.

Myth: Yoga is really just a stretching class that can improve one's flexibility.

Yoga has become such a mainstream "activity" that so much confusion and misinterpretation has surrounded it's purpose and benefits. When something goes mainstream the risk is that it gets watered down, sold for profit and its authenticity becomes threatened.

Right after your very first class, it becomes clear that yoga offers much more than just a great way to "stretch" at the end of the day.

Yoga is for Everyone

Yoga is not for the already super Gumby types like dancers or those who happen to be naturally flexible. These types may actually find yoga challenging for the very fact that they must be careful not to overstretch and injure tendons and ligaments. If you are this type, you must learn to strengthen the supporting muscles and gain the strength to hold yourself in alignment.

Yoga is also not only for the "skinny" lanky types. There is a belief that to practice yoga you should have a certain body type. I've practiced for over 7 years now, and I've had teachers and seen students who could do some of the most difficult poses and who you would never ever think, could manage them by the way they looked. That's a judgement, so be careful what you think when you first see someone from a physical standpoint. Here is some incredible proof of what I am talking about: http://northshoresun.timesreview.com/2011/04/9233/mount-sinai-yoga-instructor-proves-size-doesnt-matter/

The Mind is Inflexible First

Yoga is for inflexible, and stiff people. This is because we all are "stiff or inflexible" to some degree in the mind. Inflexibility always begins in the mind. The more pessimistic, closed and critical you are, the more your body will reflect this. The body follows the thoughts and feelings you have each and every moment. And this is what yoga truly aims to address and reveal to you once you get on the mat.

Yoga's purpose is to help you open the body and release the tension there, so that you may feel the natural flexibility you are capable of having when you let go of the mind chatter. The thought patterns that you allow the mind to impose on you, create stiffness or tightness in the body. The body is naturally flexible. Just watch children, and you can see the fluidity that comes from being free of judgements, and criticism. Most at very early age are not conditioned with such patterns of self negation, which are the real culprits to personal freedom and flexibility.

The Gift of Presence

Yes you feel your body ache, and scream and want to throw a tantrum when you get into some of those lovely deep poses. Your mind will automatically throw every caution your way and try to get you not to feel the new sensations. On a deeper level it doesn't want you to ignore it's mindless chatter. When you shift your focus to feeling and being aware of your breath, you can't be thinking of last night's fight with the wife, or that your boss royally pissed you off this morning. You are given the a precious opportunity to come to the present moment.

Tips For Beginners:

Yoga asks you to simply observe.

Stay with the pose, breath into it and notice what happens to the mind after awhile. Bring your focus right into the raw sensations, and feel what is happening. Let go of having to go anywhere, to go further, or do anything. Just be in the pose and feel the experience of it. It will always communicate something, if you are still and present enough.

1) Start right where you are: You don't need to lose weight, or already be "fit" to begin a practice. Buy a mat, join a class and start. Its a metaphor for your whole life really. You begin anything from where you already are, because that is all you have.

2) Find a good studio or DVD: Find a studio that offers a beginner intro and has a good reputation for providing traditional yoga practice. The reality is we all are beginners each and every time we come to the mat, regardless of how few or many years we have practiced. However, learning some of the basics such as the main poses of the primary series, and how to prevent injury may help you feel more secure, and less intimidated when you take a regular class.

3) Less is More: This goes for all yoga practitioners. Pulling back even just a little will encourage better alignment. In Yoga alignment is the foundational key. The goal physically is to always maintain a straight spine in each and every pose. Compromising this, just to get your wrist wrapped around your ankle is not going to help you progress on any level.

Also the moment you are doing more than you really should, you lose the integrity of your breath. And that is the most counterproductive thing you can do while you practice. The breath is the practice, and its the one thing that must remain constant, deep and full.

4) USE PROPS!: I can't stress this enough. Even if you are a seasoned yogi, use them when necessary. Props like blocks and straps will elevate your practice the more you use them. They encourage spinal alignment, and this is what is key to keeping the breath steady, long and from the deep diaphragm. Doing a triangle pose, and forcing your hand to the ground instead of a block, will really defeat the ultimate purpose because you will be completely gnarled up. Props will allow you to find a sweetness in the pose. This most often is the toughest part when you begin yoga. There is a certain level of effort balanced with a sweet ah sensation as I like to call it. Try to find that balance in each and every pose. The breath takes you there :)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

What are you waiting for to say that four letter word?

2011-04-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

"I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies." — Ram Dass

Don't wait till tomorrow to be the love that you are.

Don't wait till tomorrow to thank your mom for all that she has given to you, even if you believe she hasn't given you all that you needed.

Don't wait till next week to show someone, you care about the struggle they are experiencing and that you are there for anything they may need.

Don't wait till the weekend to smile and feel the joy already in your being. How awesome it is that we don't have to go anywhere to feel it.

Don't wait till next week to give a helping hand to someone who really could use it. There is always someone who needs some love.

Don't wait till next month to see the love present in your life, to claim it and celebrate how precious it is and its multiplying effect. Give your talents, your abilities and creative expression and watch how your heart begins to dance with joy.

Don't wait 6 months from now to love your tummy, or your thighs because that is the goal date for your weight loss diet. You are being that is far more than just a body. You are an incredible vessel for love and abundance.

Don't wait till next year to reconcile the painful differences you have not resolved with a family member, a lost friend or foe. The anger, disappointment or resentment you hold towards another only hurts your own heart, never the other.

Don't wait till next year to love your partner when it's his/her birthday, your anniversary, or Valentine's day. Show them you love them today, because the present moment is all we ever really have.

Don't wait till 5 years from now to say "I'm sorry" to someone you have wronged. Love heals all wounds no matter how deep they can become. The longer you wait the greater the scar in your own heart grows.

Be love now.

Be love today.

Breath, feel, act through love in all that you do. You never know who is watching, witnessing and receiving what you have to offer. The more you give of yourself the more you manifest that joy that makes life the greatest gift we are given.

Namaste

In health always,

Piera

How A Disease Can Be a Blessing

2011-04-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was invited to a volunteer appreciation evening for PWA volunteers. I have been part of this organization little over 2 years now, and the immense gratification that I have come to experience is truly beyond all my expectations when I first accepted the opportunity. (you may visit their site and learn more http://www.pwatoronto.org/english/main.php )

PWA strives to offer genuine support, care and guidance to those with HIV/AIDS in the city of Toronto. They not only help with financial matters, but more importantly offer services that encourage wellness, healing, and self care.

I was asked to speak during the event and share my own story and experience as a volunteer holistic practitioner. I give my time, and offer support however I feel that I am given a greater gift each and every time.

I am touched by the trust I am given.

I am honoured to witness their personal growth.

My heart is given the opportunity to become a little more compassionate each time I hear of a struggle or see a tear shed.

My soul becomes ecstatic when it becomes a witness to the joy and optimism so often shared by such glorious warriors.

Its amazing how strong the human spirit can remain when faced with immensely challenging circumstances. That in itself is the most precious thing I have witnessed.

There are days I walk into PWA so caught up in what I think is so horribly wrong in my own life. Then someone shares a personal story of immense hardship, and my perspective shifts instantaneously. I am forced to awaken to the immense blessings of my own life, and all that I have and been given. It really comes right to the forefront and is so clear what is truly important in this life.

My main message to all my clients is that their "disease" (a label we most often integrate intou our own identities) or illness is not who they are. It does not define you. You are not "depression", or cancer, or HIV/AIDS. You are experiencing something that has been given to you for a reason. You have the choice to play the victim and grow small, or you can explore your inner strength and truly realize how grand you really are.

You always have a choice. Always.

I wrote the following poem which I shared with everyone that night. It expresses my experience and gratitude for being given the opportunity to work for an organization so special to the community, the city and my heart.

That Place

It is true that

in me and in you

there is a place.

One where we may play, dance, smile and laugh.

There is a place that we may scream, punch, cry and fight

and it is all so beautiful.

It is what makes you the perfect being that you are,

and the magic of becoming so much more.

There is no need to make up your story,

the story you live is the story of glory.

Because the courage to live it,

comes from that place deep in your heart.

That space that expands and expands,

with each single breath.

As you go beyond,

you will see no end to that nurturing love so deeply held within.

Plunge deep into this space,

strongly, boldly, claim it with full face.

Take hold of your dreams and desires,

and to the love that is eternally yours.

For the love that resides in you,

is the love that resides in me.

We are one and the same.

The light within you, shines to reveal the light in me.

And the darkness you see

is only the veil you put between my heart and yours.

I am so blessed for all of this,

and if things were to go amiss

I still know I can return to my place inside

and see you there with a great big smile.

And I would feel love for this, for you and all the rest.

Because there is no place that love does not see best.

It is what brings you to the test,

of finding that place within you that is the same place

within me.

Never give up, never give in.

Just give from the love in that place

deep in your heart.

Namaste

In health always,

Piera

One Sexy Herb You Need to Take for Awesome Vitality!

2011-03-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ginseng is a power herb you just can't ignore. Ginseng is chinese for "man root", describing its human shaped form. The Asian panax variety proves to be an elixir that supports overall immunity, adrenal function, hormonal health, energy levels and the blood.

It is a well known adaptogen in the natural health world. Adaptogens help the body increase resistance to stress, injury, trauma, fatigue and anxiety. It is a tonic that supports the body and rejuvenates all vital systems. So taking it will restore your reserves and help you feel more energized and better rested from sleep.

There are many varieties of Ginseng available. Panax Asian ginsengs are the original sources used by Chinese medical doctors. These are said to be the more effective forms to use medicinally.

Ginseng Benefits for Women:

Hormone balancing properties will address PMS, and menopausal ailments

Increases energy, supports fatigue states particularly for working or stay at home moms who are inundated with tasks, and child rearing responsibilities

Increases libido: particularly useful for menopausal women

Increases mental focus and memory, which is sometimes impaired with the onset of menopause and the hormonal disturbances that occur at this time.

Weight loss aid: Can help increase energy levels, by supporting thyroid and adrenal function, and improve overall metabolism

Ginseng Benefits for Men:

Erectile Dysfunction: helps to support overall systemic blood flow and boosts testosterone levels, which lessen with age

Infertility: can help increase sperm counts and their overall health

Increases stamina: Both physically and mentally, allowing you to be more productive (pun intended ;)

Improves immunity, and resistance to viral or bacterial infections

Supports prostate health, by assisting the body's hormonal balance

So if you feeling tired often or exhausted, having trouble in the bedroom, or keep getting colds or flu type infections you are a good candidate for ginseng therapy.

Contraindications and Precautions:

Children, and women who are pregnant or nursing should not use ginseng.

Also if you are diabetic and taking insulin be cautious with ginseng. Ginseng may lower sugar levels, and interfere with your medications. Make sure to advise your doctor about this, and she/he can adjust insulin prescriptions accordingly. It has been proven to treat diabetes successfully by lowering insulin naturally.

Also those with hypertension (high blood pressure) should avoid using this herb until they have adressed that first. Ginseng stimulates the body and that includes blood pressure.

Which form is best?

The most well metabolized form is in liquid tincture. It is better assimilated than capsules or tablets. You can also buy the actual root from a chinese herbalist. This will require you to prepare it by boiling it for a set time and ingesting the broth. It is far easier to take the tincture in water 2-3 times a day depending on your particular circumstances.

May Ginseng put a bounce in your step, and make this Spring one full of renewed thriving health for all of you!

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

Adrenals Part 1-Are your ADRENALS at risk?

2011-03-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

We get up early, and rush to get out the door to work. Get on crowded buses or subways, or stuck in traffic jams. We sit at our desks, with the piling workload at our side, and eat lunch while typing, emailing, and organizing the next project.

Meetings, and appointments come later. We run to the next one while thinking of the tasks of tomorrow. We haven't eaten dinner, and need to get the 50 page report finished by tonight for the presentation tomorrow. The kids need to get picked up, the gift needs to get bought, and that call to dad is still on the to do list. It feels like it never ends.

We get caught in this vicious cycle, and it goes on and on until we crash. That's when we finally "awaken" and realize the craziness is just too crazy to maintain any longer. By this point your body is aching, and your spirit follows.

What is Adrenal Fatigue and Exhaustion?

On a physical level your adrenals are the first to suffer in all of this. The mental and emotional stress tears down the integrity of your health. Its an accumulative effect. You don't wake up one morning and crash.

Years of ingesting stimulants like coffee and nicotine really undermine adrenal and overall health.

Years of rushing, not sleeping enough quality hours, eating crap and fast food, not exercising or over exercising.

Years of pushing every limit, or feeling resentments or regrets, feeling guilt or blame, using others for your gain or giving too much of yourself in hopes of being accepted or loved all wear down on the mind, body and most definitely the soul.

And then that's when the adrenals decide to call it quits and throw in the towel. They are tired of fighting that fight. They are exhausted, sore and defeated. So we are left with low reserves, ongoing fatigue, inability to recover from even mild efforts, craving sugar, gaining weight, hormonal imbalances, sexual difficulties, depression or anxiety and suffering from insomnia. The later stages become even more severe and debilitating.

Adrenal Fatigue is Real!

Get your adrenals checked by an alternative medical practitioner. Conventional doctors don't do this and won't even know what your talking about if you ask them. Its a simple test, using your saliva sample taken at various times during the day.

Essentially the test will measure the way your levels of cortisol rise, fall and how intense the amount is at a given time.

From what I have studied and seen in practice adrenal fatigue is at epidemic proportions. Especially in the westernized world. Most everyone needs adrenal support and recovery.

If you suffer from the following, you will want to investigate getting tested!

On going fatigue that does not ameliorate with sleep. You wake up in the morning feeling unrested even if you slept 8 or more hours

Insomnia that wakes you up at 3 or 4 am, or you feel so wired and awake at the end of the day you can't fall asleep even though you know you are exhausted

Craving salt or sugar

It takes you a few hours in the morning to get going, and around 3 or 4pm you feel a complete energy dip, and then you end up feeling awake right around the time you should be in bed getting that precious sleep

Hypoglycaemia- low blood sugar causing dizziness, shakiness, brain fog

On going bouts of anxiety, restlessness, or periods of depression and apathy

Sore muscles, and joints

Inability to recover from even mild exercise, and not able to work out like you used to

Feeling cold

Weight gain, that is not improved with low calorie diet, or any amount of exercise

Increased symptoms of PMS, and irritability in general

Inability to handle even mild daily stress

Lowered sexual drive

In my next blog learn which foods and herbs you need to take to help restore and bring your energy levels back up to thriving health!

Namaste

Piera

What is Yoga?

2011-03-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

So you have started a yoga practice I hear!

FANTASTIC!

I'm excited! Ecstatic! Love love love that you are exploring a new terrain! Yoga can open new paths in your life you never thought possible. It has for me, over and over and over again. I started practicing about 10 years ago and haven't looked back.

In the beginning it was just a "condiment" to my fitness routine. I would take a class maybe once or twice a week, to undo the damage I was doing in the gym with weight lifting and running. Eventually I "awakened", and I mean that in a literal and figurative sense. I literally felt more connected to my own intuition, and the process of unraveling years of "stuff" just began to happen. Not always pretty, and for the greater part very very rewarding.

For me Yoga allowed me to step out of my mind, and into my body, and further on into deeper realms of my essence. Again, it's a process. It never really gets done, and the magic, the beauty of this thing we call Yoga is that every single time you come onto your mat, you experience a whole new practice. Even if you did the exact same class, with the exact same sequences, it never ever is the same!!!

I just love that! So for the ADD kid in all of us, this is a god send :)

Yoga means "union" in the broadest sense of the term.

You are "yoking" the Self in you with the Self of every other thing, person and place in existence. Ok perhaps that is a little hard to wrap your mind around right now. Let's just start with the union of You to You.

Essentially yoga nurtures the "Core Connection" we all are capable of. Yoga is thought to be only the physical practice of the asanas (poses) on the mat. However the real yoga is in every single moment, every single experience and every single breath. So what we learn on the mat, is useless if we are not bringing that "union" or "Core Connection" further into our daily lives.

Once we engage that Core Connection I so often talk and teach others to do, we initiate a very profound process that enables us to release stress, focus, and participate from a place of presence. The chaotic mind recedes into the background, and you essentially become free to feel and live at your highest level. You come to learn how being present, in this moment, right here and right is true liberation from suffering. It is our attachments to our past, our future, and ultimately the identity we have created about ourselves.

So Yoga allows you to let go, and let go, and let go some more.

If you can take one thing away from this today, please let it be the following. The only thing you have that is real is this very present moment. What happened this morning, doesn't exist. What you may think will happen in 2 months from now doesn't exist. Only your thoughts create this things, and they appear to be real for you. They appear to be your "reality". Why hang on to illusions, or things that don't exist? When you can be here, right now, enjoying what is.

To your health always,

Namaste

Piera

Loss : A Gateway to Your Deepest Sense of Compassion

2011-03-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

We have all experienced some form of loss. When it's someone you love it often can be the most difficult to process. It almost feels quite illusionary at first. Almost as if it were all a dream. This often is just a protective response our bodies and mind initially induce in order for us to cope and in a sense survive. Death and dying can make us feel quite alive, and this for many is the hardest part.

Once we realize the dream is actually our reality, our vulnerability surfaces. The rawness of the ordeal becomes alive in our minds and through our feelings. We begin to feel the fragility of our existence and how precious each moment we have truly is. It is in our raw wounds that we come to experience our humanity.

If we let go and surrender to this place of injury, we reach the most compassionate part of ourselves. We reach the part that can feel, sense and have empathy for our vulnerabilities. With continued exploration we can go on to reach even deeper and sense the vulnerabilities of others close to us, and going even further extending to all humanity. That level of compassion is indisputably the highest level of love possible we can ever manifest in our lives.

It is that level of compassion that heals not only our raw wounds around personal loss, but heals the pain of the planet. It is far extending because it originates from that internal original wound or pain we carry around with us day in and out.

Thus I believe with every fragment of my being, that once we calm the war within with self compassion and forgiveness, we have the opportunity to create massive change in our external lives. The wars we see on TV are simply a reflection of the war that each individual is ignoring within themselves.

Loss is traumatic. Death is inevitable. It just is part of life. Once we come to terms that life includes pain and we can face it without running in the opposite direction than we can grow and heal. So accepting that anything that is material in our life is only temporary, and that nothing is permanent makes accepting loss a little more easier. Above and beyond this, death and loss can be valuable lessons in our lives, teaching us to explore and open up to our greatest potential for loving.

To your health always,

Namaste

Piera

Spring Weight loss Tip #5 - Fat TRAPS you must know now!

2011-03-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung! Yippeeeee!

I'm ecstatic! Can you sense it? I am one of those that really tries to be at peace with winter weather. I sit on my cushion and chant my oms and start humming my sat nams while watching the blizzards cover everything in sight in white stuff. Yes sitting behind my window. I am not going to go out and be at one with it. Hey I never said I was enlightened... yet :)

This time of year we start to feel our bodies in a sense "awaken" and shift gears. We no longer are hibernating and conserving our energies. The slow pace of long dark winter nights and short days is transpiring to a more vibrant, emerging energy of growth. Plants are beginning their first push to bloom forward, and little critters are busy getting well, busy.

There is far greater inspiration now and so most of you are already making changes to your daily lifestyle habits. It makes me so excited to watch people making wise choices and taking care of their bodies, and lives with more care.

Many of you want to feel better in your bodies, and for some this means losing some of the excess winter weight. Lets get on it!

5 Fat Traps you Can Avoid to Lose the Extra Pudge!

#1 Ground Turkey:

Yes ground turkey is not as healthy as you may think. Some people buy turkey instead of beef believing it will be less calories, and lower in fat. Actually ground turkey can have double the amount of fat that lean ground veal contains. This is because ground turkey usually means its ground with all the skin, and fat included. If you must have ground meat, buy lean veal and have the butcher grind it or grind it yourself if you have a meat grinder at home.

#2 Low fat, No fat, No Sugar, Diet, Low Cal Products:

Food producers know what to label their products to get you to buy them. They slap on a "low fat" or "low cal" label and most dieters are apt to snatch them up, just because of the label. Be careful! Most of these products are not only processed, but contain loads of simple sugars, chemicals, and preservatives. All of which impede your body from burning fat. So skip the hype and just get REAL. Real food, means unprocessed. Make 80% of your daily diet unprocessed foods. Anything that doesn't come off a tree, shrub, plant or root is a processed food.

#3 Flavoured Yogurt:

Yogurt is known as a "healthy" food appropriate for those watching their waistlines. However most flavoured yogurts, including the "no fat" varieties can have more than 25 grams of sugar per serving. And remember that is if you actually measure out a half cup serving. So your best bet is to have plain yogurt, even a 2% fat variety and add some fresh fruit yourself. Focus on the quality and portions instead of the low fat labels.

#4 Granola

Granola is such a deceptive little devil. It can be a great source of energy and fuel if you are trekking for the day, training for an endurance sport or simply going to be active for extended periods of time. However if you are not very active or have blood sugar sensitivities , granola can pose a real obstacle to your weight loss efforts. Most granolas, even the "organic" ones you find in the health food stores are high in sugar, and fat. There is often dried fruit in commercial brands treated with sugars or sulphites, honey, other high glycemic sweeteners and some brands add oils or other fats. Save this for those high energy days, or make your own using plain oatmeal, high fiber cereal, cinnamon, seeds and nuts.

#5 Rice Cakes

Yes I know, this one has been around since the 70s as a diet favourite. Even though rice cakes are a low fat food, they are metabolized just like white bread and are as high glycemic as pastries, and other high sugar foods. This means that they will spike up insulin levels and wreck havoc with your energy levels as well. They also are processed, and really not that natural as we may think. You will feel hungrier than ever after eating these and may over eat later on. So just stick with REAL food. I can't stress that enough. Try whole quinoa, brown rice with chick peas or some berries with plain yogurt. These all can make great snacks or full meals.

Food is meant to be enjoyed, not labeled. So let's get back to basics and come to enjoy food as it was naturally meant to be experienced. Getting real with food, will also invite you to get in touch with your relationship to it ;)

Give it a try, see what happens.

Namaste

Piera

My Present of Presence for You

2011-03-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

As a homeopath, holistic nutritionist and Reiki practitioner I have learned immensely about myself through my practice and mainly from my patients. They are some of my greatest teachers. I have learned that each and everyone of us truly thrives when given love and compassion. That without these 2 invaluable things, healing cannot transpire.

We may experience different events, symptoms and diseases in our lives. However underlying all disease manifestations lies a deficiency and imbalance . This deficiency and imbalance is what sets off our internal innate healing mechanism to go in disarray. Deficiency comes in many forms, from what is lacking in our diets, to what is missing in our living environments and personal relationships.

When I began to practice I was focusing on finding the right prescription whether it be the homeopathic remedy most indicated, or the right supplements or the right diet to best suit the patients needs. All this is very important and does play a huge part in my work today.

However now I truly dedicate myself to being first and foremost present with my patients during our consultations and interactions.

Truly present means with compassion, awareness and love.

I listen with my soul and heart first , and then with my mind. I observe with my soul and my heart first and then analyse with my mind the details and symptoms of the case. And I “feel” the patient’s energy and vibe with my intuition and tune in to their concerns instead of concerning myself with deciphering the right prescription.

Conventional medicine may call this quakery or airy fairy BS. But they are far from having a great track record themselves.

Core Connecting

The more I work connecting to my patients on a deeper level, the more I see my patients benefit and reach greater levels of personal healing.

I truly believe that allowing my patients the opportunity to share, and verbally express what they are going through is a huge initiation to their healing efforts. The ability to express their concerns at much longer lengths than the usual conventional 15 minute appointment with their M.D begins to open doors they haven’t even attempted to unlock in ages.

When I look into their eyes, I sense they appreciate my acknowledgment of their pain. More importantly though, when I look into their eyes I connect with their internal wisdom. I observe the love that so desperately wants to be expressed and fully loved back.

Everyone has their own journey to take.

Their path unfolds according to their own level of awareness and how much they allow this awareness to come into being at any given moment.

The more present we become the far more healing we can achieve. The more present we become the far more LIVING we actually experience. Coming to each moment with awareness allows us to experience the only thing we have that is certain in this life.

Which is the present. This is the key to liberation from suffering and the endless states of pain we may believe we never will overcome.

A dear friend of mine shares his insight on presence with me, whenever he feels I may need a bump back into alignment. He just simply mentions to me in the most loving tone:

“Piera it is what it is, and remember where ever you go, there you are-so love it all”.

How do you bring presence to your daily life? to your interactions? to your work? to your relationships?

Your soul is calling. Have you answered?

Give it a try, see what happens ;)

Namaste

Piera

Core Connections is LAUNCHED! Welcome to my website!

2011-03-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

CONNECT - HEAL - THRIVE!

My new website has just been launched! www.coreconnectionshealing.com

I welcome you to browse, take the toxic test and find out more about what I offer and how I may help you achieve better health and wellness. So what is Core Connections? A concept I believe with every cell and atom of my being. My life work is devoted to expanding the awareness of Core Connecting for the greatest and highest good possible.

I’m so very excited to present to you an avenue to wellness many search for and yet never find. It really isn’t so hard. At Core Connections we understand that life is really something that must be cherished and celebrated. Life is not a part time endeavour, it’s every moment you inhale and exhale.

Life thus is a process. We often are inundated by various media and external messages telling us we must strive for goals, we must search for better positions, and run, run, run from where we are to get to where we think we ought to be. In all this running, grasping, and searching we have lost the ground beneath our feet and the anchor to our Core.

The place to begin any change, any “improvement”, anyTHING is right where you are! It begins by connecting to the inner core of your Self, and goes on evolving from there. Isn’t that beautiful? Isn’t knowing we are always evolving, shifting and experiencing higher grounds exciting and also a relief? What if there is no specific “target”? What if the target is the actual process, and the learning we are offered each day?

Awareness is true freedom to all perceived “problems”. When you begin to change the way you look at things, what you look at changes all on its own. The change must start within your very Self. Change your mindset, the angles at which you see things and begin to discover there is a whole new world of opportunities and possibilities.

So to Core Connect really means to come to what is, with a compassionate heart, mind and soul. Based on years of studying both ancient and contemporary philosophy, medicine, and health I have made my life work that of offering people better solutions and strategies to achieve thriving health and wellness.

I guide people to use their own very powerful innate tools to achieve this connection, which is possible in every moment, day, week, month, year and for the lifetimes ahead. The ancients knew this and we can know it as well. Come to know it through your own Core Connection. Awareness begins right here in this present moment.

Namaste :)

I invite you to send me your questions, and concerns and I will answer to the best that my Core Connection can offer.

Health and happiness always,

Piera

Weight Loss Series- Tip #4-Pro Biotics Targets the Core for Weight Loss

2011-03-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Great health is determined by the health of your gut. It simply starts there!

The first area I investigate when seeing a new client is the digestive system. It just is a prime indicator of what their state of health is as a whole. With just a few questions I can gather enough information to begin understanding where the person needs to start with their health and wellness goals.

There really is no point in trying to treat or prevent any ailment or disease process if the diet is not clean, and the digestion compromised. It simply becomes a maintaining cause and obstacle to achieving relief of symptoms.

Your digestive system is the "second brain" and makes up a huge part of your immune system. Some medical experts have gone as far as stating that the bacteria in our guts actually communicate with our brain or nervous system.

I find this fascinating! Having read the book "The Second Brain" by Michael Gershon, I became convinced that we truly have a network of astounding connections in our gut to our whole organism. Its incredible, how each and every part, cell and atom of our being relates and works in tandem with each other and creates the whole.

Good bacteria vs Bad bacteria:

The gut contains bad bacteria and good bacteria. In a healthy functioning gut, there is a roughly 80% to 15% good versus bad bacteria ratio. In many north Americans, the ratios are reversed! It's no wonder diseases and conditions like IBS, constipation, colitis, Crohn's, diverticulitis and cancer is so prevalent.

Good bacteria keeps the bad in check, and helps it not propagate to extreme levels. Good bacteria is essential for everyone. Our modern day lives don't grant us much room to dispute the fact we need to supplement with a probiotic.

Probiotics:

Probiotic actually means for life. A good probiotic will ensure you give your digestion system the protection it needs. Bad bacteria will always exist, and the point isn't to eradicate it. Actually we need some to stimulate our immune system and keep it working and protecting us. It's when things get unbalanced that the body becomes compromised.

Find a reputable company that will ensure a safe source probiotic supplement. Yogurt does contain some, but such a minimal amount that it won't provide enough of what you need. Most yogurts are now marketed with the "probiotic label". They are misleading and do not guarantee you will get the recommended amount of bacteria needed.

Aim for a supplement that gives you at least 7 billion units per capsule or serving. If you already have digestive organ disease or intense symptoms, you will need to take more. As a word of caution when you begin to supplement with a probiotic, please GRADUALLY increase the amount till you take the full recommended serving. If you take too much too soon, you will experience a bacteria war in your gut. This may result in a lot of bloating or gas, pain or cramps, and distention. SLOWLY introduce the supplement, especially if you are dealing with an illness.

Fiber, water, probiotics = Winning combination

So you are drinking more water, eating more fiber, and now are going to take a probiotic! You have a winning combo to achieving a healthier, better functioning gut. You will lose weight because you will digest your food better, and assimilate or absorb more nutrients from your food. This translates into fewer cravings, and fewer calories needed to keep you satisfied. You will also improve the elimination and detoxification process leaving you more energy, and less to carry around ;)

Ultimately when you improve your digestive system, you increase your natural immunity. You will notice that getting sick with colds, flus and infections less likely. It just is all connected ;)

So "Core Connecting" is essentially the focus of all of this. When we address the Core of the issue, we connect to what is needed to achieve the health and well being we all deserve.

Recommended Reading: "The Second Brain" by Michael Gershon

"Colon Health" by Dr. Norman W. Walker

"Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gloria Gottschall

The three books above will provide an essential foundation to understanding colon and overall digestive health. I will dedicate a whole series on digestive ailments in the coming weeks.

Please send me your concerns or any specific questions. I will respond as best I can :)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

Weight Loss Series- Tip #3- Get Friendly with Fiber

2011-03-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

Pictures of my Mexico Adventure in November 2010- Markets were full of high fiber treats :)

Time to get down to the nitty gritty. No its not that bad. Fiber is your other best friend right after H2O.

They have quite an intimate relationship. Fiber is an essential part of any weight loss plan. This is because it helps in a number of crucial ways to aid the process of burning fat, lowering calorie content and helping the detoxification process that naturally accompanies fat loss.

So now that you're drinking more water, you can tolerate adding more fiber to your daily meals, and assist the weight loss even further. Fiber requires an abundance of liquid to perform at its best in cleansing and helping the digestive system. It absorbs 3 times or more its own weight in liquid!

How is Fiber your other best amigo in the battle of the bulge?

Provides bulk, so you feel fuller, longer, and eat less calories
Absorbs and helps eliminate toxins in the digestive tract
Helps regulate sugar or insulin levels, helping stave off cravings
Helps slow down digestion, so you feel fuller longer
May absorb excess fats before they are abosorbed

Mexico is the land of legumes and corn :)

It was such a delight to walk through the markets and see all the goodies

High Fiber Foods:

Select at least one for each meal of your day. This way you will be sure you are getting enough fiber daily. 25-30 grams per day is the ideal minimum .

Grains:

Whole Oats

Whole quinoa, Spelt or Kamut

Whole Bran fiber (only if you can tolerate wheat and gluten)

Brown, Red or Wild Rice

Nuts and Seeds:

Flax seeds- this is one of the best sources!

Pumpkin seeds

Chia seeds

Almonds

Hemp seeds

Beans and Legumes:

Kidney

Butter Beans

Fava beans

Lentils

Black beans

Chick peas

Green peas

Fruits and vegetables:

Apples

Pears

All berries

Avocados

Prunes

Kale, mustard, dandelion, collards and beet greens

Winter Squash

Sweet potatoes

Carrots

The above list includes the highest fiber foods around. This is not suggesting to limit your diet to only these options. Include them as much as possible and in addition to the many other wholesome non processed foods available.

Give it a try. See what happens...

Namaste

Piera

Weight loss Series- Tip # 2 Make water your new best friend

2011-03-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Water makes up nearly 2/3 of your body weight. Depending on age, gender and body composition that number may fluctuate a bit, but the point is water is one of the most vital things we need to be aware of.

It isn't a nutrient per say, but can be considered even more significant than the other essential nutrients we need to survive. Water allows for thousands of bodily processes to occur, of which assimilation, digestion, and regeneration are to be noted as the big contenders.

Without drinking enough water you slow down these bodily processes. This translates in an acceleration in the aging process, stress on the organs to work harder, and eventually a contributing factor to the "epidemic" of fatigue and low energy levels so many people experience in this modern age.

The fact that we are a society that is constantly struggling with fatigue and achieving vibrant energy, reflects a massive correlation to a very poor and nutrient deficient diet. However beyond the cliche' that we are what we eat, we also are what we drink, what we say, what we think of most often, and what we do in life.

So let's tackle the what we drink part of that equation for now.

If you live on :

Coffee
Alcohol
Diet or regular soft drinks
Juices sweetened with sugar and glucose syrups
Energy drinks which can also be called liquid poisons (that's my personal opinion)
Regular milk ( non organic)
Tap water

you are risking your body the essential hydration it needs.

For weight loss, water is the most fundamental thing you need to consistently incorporate daily.

It will help with the detoxification process that naturally comes with weight loss. Every time you burn fat from your cells, the cells release the toxins held there. Your fat cells are the ones that store most of the toxicity that resides in your body. The liver is thought to be the main one. But the liver helps the the body transport toxins out of the bloodstream and be stored somewhere a little safer, mainly your fat cells.

How much to drink?

If your goal is to lose weight, I would aim for 2 L of water a day minimum. That is in addition to all other liquids you ingest for the day. If you drink coffee or black tea, (both contain caffeine) you are looking at 2.5-3L daily. The more caffeine containing drinks you take in, the more water your body loses. The aim is to keep intra cellular (within cells) levels of H2O high. This keeps the cell well hydrated, able to do its job and ultimately more ENERGY for you :)

More Benefits of Water:

Keeps CRAVINGS in check : Often what we think is hunger is really THIRST. To avoid overeating or unnecessary snacking, drinking water first may be what you really need.
Helps Natural Elimination: So your digestive system functions with ease, and you develop natural regularity. Most people carry excessive pounds in their colons. A colon cleanse will help rid the body of that, and help you absorb nutrients more effectively. When you absorb more nutrients, you will CRAVE less and eat less because your body is getting and using what it needs. This is HUGE for people looking to lose weight!
Helps Flush Out Toxins: During weight loss you want to assist the body as much as possible in getting the toxins out. Water is the best way to do so. Using herbs and fiber are also important things you should consider as well.
Helps Satiation: Its been proven that drinking 1-2 glasses of water 15 min before a meal will help you feel fuller on less food. This may help you decrease calories without feeling you are.
Natural Skin Rejuvenator: Water is one of the best ways to healthier skin. It helps keep it hydrated, less prone to the effects of aging, and by keeping toxins out, your skin will reflect that almost within a few weeks of optimal hydration.

Give it a try see what happens ;)

Namaste

Piera

Weight Loss Series- TIP # 1 Ratios not Calories

2011-03-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

Spring fever is in the air! Can you feel it? Can you smell the fragrance of a new and fresh season coming?

The winter pounds are now more pressing to lose, as we begin to shed the coat layers and big bulky sweaters. No reason to feel anxiety or panic just start a sensible approach to changing your lifestyle now.

Crash diets, extreme exercise routines, and the use of fat burners are what some of you may think is the best way to get the job done fast. However, diets don't teach us how to make healthy choices and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Diets encourage the yo yo effect with your weight climbing up then down, then back up again often higher than before. Very low calorie dieting also encourage the body to go into a "famine" mode, and it will conserve and hold on to as much body fat as it can.

So what to do?

Start with the Basics:

Think Ratios and Rations and Not Calories :

An easy way to design your meals is to simply make sure you have a source of lean protein, low glycemic carbohydrate and some good healthy source of fat at every meal. The picture at the top of this blogs is a great example of what I mean here.

I've found that 30% protein, 50% carb and 20% fat works very well. Its not cutting carbs entirely, and its not too heavy on the protein. AND we need fat! Especially fats rich in omega fatty acids, like those found in fatty fish, flax and chia seeds.

Lean protein sources:

Organic Turkey, and chicken breasts

Organic Eggs, and egg whites

Organic Fish : salmon, white fish, tilapia, grouper, snapper

New zealand hormone free whey powder- for on the go times

Hemp protein, rice protein or

Complex low glycemic carbs:

All green, and non starchy vegetables (This should make up half or more of your carb calories per day)

Brown rice

Quinoa

Beans and legumes

Whole spelt, kamut or amaranth

Millet

Yams

Winter squash

Good Fats:

Olive oil

Coconut oil

Nuts and seeds : especially almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds

Flax seed oil and flax seeds

Udo's blend- great product that consists of the best healthy fats altogether in one product

Now just divide your plate into the percentages stated above and choose a food from each of the lists, and use measuring cups to portion out a sensible size for your body weight and goals.

You may find you need a little more carbs, if your very active and exercise daily. Or you may find you need less because you are more sedentary or you know they are hard for you to metabolize and a prime contributor to your weight gain.

If you have insulin or sugar imbalances you will need to exercise extra care with the types of carbs you have, and really make the effort to combine protein with carbs at each and every meal. This helps prevent any chance of insulin spikes or lows.

Stay tuned for Tip #2 coming next!

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

Splenda not so splendid- How fake sugar makes you FATTER!

2011-03-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

You cut carbs.

You cut calories.

Then you try high protein and low fat diets and it seems to become a vicious cycle of weight loss and weight gain getting you no where.

You also resort to going sugar free which means substituting sugar with aspartame (Equal), sucrolose (Splenda brand), sorbitol, malitol, and on and on goes the list of fake artificial sweeteners. These substitutes are chemically toxic, can damage neurons (brain cells) and often increase the desire for sweets and sugar. So in the end they actually may encourage you to gain weight and crave more food!

When you ingest these sweeteners, messages are still sent to your brain that sugar is entering the bloodstream. Even though it technically hasn't. Your body prepares just the same for it, and produces a chemical reaction as if you were actually eating real sugar. When it doesn't receive real sugar, it will still act accordingly and produce a stress response because your physiology and brain become all confused. This ultimately translates into increased cravings for carbs, and especially SUGAR.

So what can we do to replace white sugar without adding excess calories and going the fake route?

3 Natural Sweeteners that are healthy, and won't disturb blood sugar levels:

The following sweeteners are completely natural, made from plant sources and can be found at your reputable natural food store.

1) Stevia: This is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. Some studies suggest it helps lower blood pressure and help control blood sugar insulin response. Its also calorie free and great to use in hot drinks like coffee and tea. So for those watching calories, are diabetic, hypoglycaemic, or hypertensive this is a safe and natural substitute.

2) Xylitol: This is my favourite of the three. Don't let its funky name fool you. Its completely natural, made from birch bark or berries, is calorie free and the bonus with xylitol is that is has been proven to benefit the health of your teeth. Studies found that xylitol increases the ph level in your mouth, which helps ward off cavities and dental erosion caused by sugar, and acidic foods. It has a pleasant taste, and used in coffee, it doesn't mask the flavour and allows the true java taste to come through. Xylitol is also great for diabetics, and usually comes in crystalline form.

3) Coconut Sugar: This one is a little harder to find, but one worth scouting for. It is made from the sap of coconuts, has a rich brown colour and the flavour reminds me of maple syrup! Its low calorie, won't create a sugar spike like white sugar, and can be used for baking when brown sugar is the major sweet ingredient called for. I love this sugar on berries and is phenomenal in coffee. It gives java a really awesome caramel tasting accent. I buy it from a local health food store, but if yours doesn't carry it you can find it online.

I wish you the best in your sweet explorations... try them out, and see what happens ;)

Namaste

Piera

Banish Belly Bloat!

2011-03-08T09:54:00.000-08:00

Look down at your belly.

What does it look like today? What does it feel like buckled in by your belt? Can you become mindful of the sensations going on in there?

One of the biggest concerns my clients come in with when they first come to see me is a problematic digestive system. Often symptoms that arise are bloating, painful distention, gas, retention of excess water, and inability to digest their food properly.

What is going on? There are a number of things to consider:

1) What are you eating?

2) How and where are you eating?

3) When are you eating?

Answers to those 3 questions provide a huge explanation for what may be going on inside that bloated belly.

If you are experiencing digestive upset, here are some probable causes:

Food Allergies/sensitivities:

Food allergies/sensitivities are by far the most offending perpetrators of a mal-functioning digestive system. When your body reacts to foods, inflammation ensues, and often times food is not digested well or takes double the time. The body reacts as if a lethal toxin has been ingested, and pulls out all the histamine forces to the rescue, leaving you bloated, in pain and fatigued.

Get tested and find out what you cannot tolerate. Also consider taking multi enzyme and probiotic supplements. These encourage the type of environment your digestion system favours for optimal function. I will dedicate a future blog to the importance of good gut flora for not only digestion, but for weight loss, inflammatory conditions, and overall wellness.

Most common allergens include : Dairy, eggs, gluten, wheat, sugars, acidic foods, nuts, and seafood.

Stress:

Your tummy has its own neural network, consisting of more pathways than your brain! Its been called the second brain by some medical officials. Therefore it can be triggered, and affected by stress, emotions and negative thoughts. If you are emotional, don't engage in eating a meal. If you are running around, overworked and not mindful when you eat, chances are you are going to have indigestion, which means BLOATING.

Recommendation: This is the primary focus of my work. Come to your breath, take a moment to press pause, and come to an awareness of what is really going on when you sit to eat. Stop eating on the run, stop grabbing a "bar" on the way to the gym and take 5 minutes to actually chew what it is you are ingesting. Digestion starts in the mind. Your thoughts, and state will affect whatever it is you decide to eat, and how you eat matters more than anything when it comes to good digestion.

Junk Food Junkies:

What you eat is important too. Processed junk, white carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and anything that essentially doesn't come off a plant, tree, vine or shrub has been altered chemically or mechanically in some way. So make the mainstay of your diet, whole non processed foods, and have the rest be condiments that make up 20% or less of your daily diet.

Pathologies, and digestive disease are also critical issues that are becoming almost epidemic in westernized countries. Colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn's, ulcers, chronic constipation, IBS, and cancers must be ruled out before you decide which treatments and therapies are best. Working with your health care practitioner(s) is highly advisable and the most effective way to wellness :)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

3 Things you need to "LOSE" to GAIN a Healthier HEART!

2011-03-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

145/90....

You look again at the blood pressure reading.

Could this be right? Just a few months ago you were sitting comfy at 140/80 thinking everything was A Ok. Now the numbers have changed, and the doc wants you on meds. Yikes! It just seems to have happened overnight. Or did it?

Blood pressure is often an insidious condition that seems to appear out of no where. Often times people can't even tell the slight rise to a normal and once healthy blood pressure rate. There may be no symptoms till later stages of the condition.

Medical doctors diagnose high blood pressure when numbers are at 140/90 or greater. The "normal" rate is 120/80, but that is contingent on age, lifestyle and habits . If you are between 120/80 - 140/90 you are considered pre-hypertensive, or the early stage of developing high blood pressure.

Have your blood pressured checked if you:

1) Already know of a family history of Hypertension or Cardiac disease.

2) Are experiencing more headaches than usual.

3) Are overweight, and/or diabetic.

4) If you smoke, drink excessive amounts of caffeine and/or alcohol and are having trouble sleeping.

5) If you feel any heart symptoms of excessive palpitations upon exerting yourself physically, even slightly more than normal.

If you are hypertensive, know that it is one of the most easily addressed health conditions in its early stages, and can be healed.

3 natural ways to treat High blood pressure and stay off the meds!

1) Lose weight!

Even as little as losing 5- 10 pounds for someone obese or overweight is enough to help lower the blood pressure. Often times the extra water weight that is shed alone can be a relief to the heart and blood vessels. Aim to lose weight sensibly! I devote most of my work on this subject of weight loss/management.

Simple equation for weight loss:

Sensible and healthy balanced diet+ Sensible healthy balanced exercise regime+ Connection to your Core for Emotional Balance and Wellness = Sustained weight loss

You need to address all 3, or you will struggle endlessly to achieve your ideal body weight.

2) Lose the Salt!

If you think that only the salt shaker needs to be chucked, think again. Packaged, boxed, wrapped, canned, bagged, and other fast foods are huge culprits that contain MASSIVE amounts of sodium. We all need some sodium to keep our physiology balanced, however eating food on the run, and in processed forms often is a killer in their sodium numbers. Anything you buy on the go, is almost guaranteed to exceed your day's allowance. So make your own lunch when possible, cut down on processed foods, and use herbs and spices to make food come alive. Celtic Sea Salt used in moderation is also not harmful and will add minerals and trace nutrients your body needs to feel its best.

Recommended Daily Sodium Allowance:

2, 400 mg of sodium/day or 1 teaspoon of salt!

Where's the Salt?!

Mc D's Quarter pounder with Cheese 1040mg

30 gram serving of Cornflakes : 1170

A one cup serving of most commercial brand canned soup: 680 mg (almost half a day's worth)

Salt is in everything... even the seemingly "healthy" packaged foods, so be careful.

3) Lose the stress!

High stress levels can increase blood pressure in a number of ways. When we are stressed out we go into survival mode. We begin to engage the flight or fight response, which elevates our insulin/cortisol system, adrenaline and blood pressure.

Also, when we feel stressed we often don't take care of ourselves or health. We slack off on our diet, exercise habits and may engage in unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption and our sleep patterns get disrupted.

Stress management cannot be overlooked.

The breath is really the first place to start. It is reported that deep, diagrammatic breathing helps lower the blood pressure almost instantaneously. Learn more here: http://www.realage.com/tips/get-lower-blood-pressure-with-deep-breathing-exercises

Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama (breath work), engaging in activities that give you joy and make you smile and laugh all reduce stress and help the body and mind deal with emotional upsets.

Breath into that place of uneasiness, and eventually the feeling settles on its own.

Namaste

Piera

An issue of Trust

2011-03-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to trust?

To trust another?

To trust the process and path taken?

To trust the Self?

In my practice and in my own life this sacred value returns to the forefront asking to be examined.

Trust seems to imply we give another our faith, and our whole hearted acceptance that what they appear to be conveying to us in their words and actions is true. We perceive through or our own lens what the other is and represents. It never is about them, it always is about what we see, feel and perceive our reality to be.

So in essence to trust another, we must trust our own Self first. We must claim our truth, know what we believe is right for us first, before we can trust and accept the other.

Often times what we believe has been a violation of our trust by another, was simply a violation of our own sense of self trust. We didn't accept our truth, and went looking to see it or get it from another. That is simply insanity, and the cause for the delusion we often experience when we hand over our need for acceptance to another, before we do it for ourselves.

To honour our own truth, and live the path from that place, creates the most valuable sense of trust you can have in YOURSELF. No one else can grant you happiness, satisfaction and love before you do it for yourself.

Your truth is your very own unique essence. The more you celebrate that, nurture, and cultivate it the greater you will trust yourself to proceed, prosper and achieve all that you desire.

Trust grows immensely when we water the seed of our Truth with self acceptance, self care and self love.

Next time you feel your trust has been violated ponder the following questions:

1) Was I really being truthful about my own feelings with the other?

2) Did I place full trust almost blindly in the other, without first trusting my own intuition about the situation?

3) Is it possible that I don't trust my own truth enough, and am looking for acceptance by others, or the external world where it is impossible to find my own personal truth?

4) Am I really being betrayed? Or could it be that the other is operating through their own deep seated insecurity and fear of being hurt?

Challenge your preconceived notions and beliefs about yourself and others. Like Don Miguel Ruiz says "Never assume anything about anyone, and never take anything personally".

What others do or say, NEVER IS ABOUT YOU! Its always their own to own.

Under all of that, lies your brillance and the essence of who you really are.

Namaste

Piera

How to breath to Nirvana in 5 minutes!

2011-03-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Feeling a little blah? Are you struggling to feel more energy and less of the heaviness and low vibes you may be experiencing lately? We all want to get to Nirvana at some point...well most of us at least can admit to wanting joy and a more satisfying life experience. So where do we turn?

Inwards.

Its starts with YOU.

You can buy all the "magic" energy pills, go on a extreme diet, get the great new self help book out there, or repeat affirmations till your blue in the face, but all of that is not the best direction to take.

The energy and capacity to feel your authentic true vibrant self is already within.

What do I mean by this?

Many of us are grasping outwardly. I call this the "grasping syndrome". We look, reach, seek, and GRASP outside of ourselves continuously. We look for another to love us, to accept us, and to acknowledge our needs. It gets to the point you don't even know your doing it. Your on AUTO MATIC PILOT , AND black berry, iphone, ipad, youtube, msn messenger, skype, twitter, facebook, stumble upon, google, fire fox, RSS feeds, Flickr, and on and and on and on.

THIS is a huge energy vampire, that can suck the life out of you.

We look to material things, media icons, what Sally next door with the white picket fence, 2 kids, gorgeous husband, and beautiful 5 bedroom house is doing. We COMPARE ourselves to externals and then wonder why we keep feeling tired, unhappy and unsatisfied.

The connection to feeling better, more joy, more love, and eventually FANTASTIC starts by simply stopping all the chaos in our minds, stopping physically, and taking a moment and being with YOURSELF. I call this "pushing the PAUSE button".

Sounds too easy? A fairy tale fantasy to get your wish? Give it a try, what's the worst that can happen?

Assign yourself 5 minutes, 2 times in your crazy day. Ya I know, we all are BUSY, and have NO time apparently. 5 minutes, can be while your sitting on your toilet.(I'm exaggerating here, and I know you get the picture). Let's stop making excuses, and get to the work we need to do to live our best, and fullest life.

Here is how:

5 minutes - 2 times in your day.

Sit, listen to your breath, elongate the breath till you can count 4 seconds for every inhale, and 4 seconds for every exhale, and just be. You'll reset your whole nervous system, get clarity and springboard yourself from YOUR own center, not Sally's!

Allowing yourself to be more creative, productive and living what you are passionate about in life is so very possible, if you take the initiative to do something for your health and well being on a consistent basis.

Because, frankly if your not loving what you do, who you are and what you have then you got some work to do on YOU. Breathing isn't all that difficult and the best place to start ;)

See what happens, and let me know :)

Namaste

Piera

Go for Gold....Passion from the heart drives everything!

2011-03-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

Jayna Hefford, Me and Brian Price

Brian and I at Canfund's "Art of Being Excellent" Night Feb. 2011

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to attend a charity fund raiser in support of Canfund. Canfund is an organization that stands on heart driven values, love for physical excellence and pride in our national Canadian talent. Canfund financial supports our Olympic athletes to prepare them for every Olympic dream possible.

Our athletes don't have it as easy as we may think. I watched a video presentation on the female Ice hockey team in training, and it was a tremendous display of self grit, determination and passion driven goals. We hear about how much athletes train, but when you see it and come to know that they live on bare minimum, not making a salary for the 4 years they train you really realize the motives for achieving are coming from the core.

Athletes must core connect. If they don't, they don't get far.

Brain Price is an astounding athlete, warrior and human being. He battled leukaemia as a young boy, survived after 5 years of hospital visits and treatments, and went on to bring our rowing team to victory. Standing at 5'6, he explained how the chemo treatments he underwent as a boy, led to his growth being stunted.

Thought you had limitations? We all do. It's how we respond to life that matters!

Brian completely moved me that night. I could see his desire in his eyes, hear it in his passionate voice and it seemed to be pouring out of every pore in his body.

That is connection!

That is living from the core, the place of ultimate truth, and love and awesomeness. Knowing in your deepest Self that your purpose is concrete, clear and a joy to pursue.

I had the pleasure of meeting Brian and Jayna Hefford, and was honoured to have the opportunity to have some pictures taken.

When you live from the heart, you live from an infallible connection. And that is what wins every time, and not just a gold medal. You win the honour of living your Truth, and its that truth that gives you the ultimate freedom in this life, to live joyously, and abundant in every respect.

GO CANADA!

Connect to our Canadian athletes, and help support physical excellence, mental perseverance and national honour. http://www.canadianathletesnow.ca/

Piera

5 foods you can eat right now to begin CLEANSING your whole body

2011-03-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

It seems that "detox" and doing a cleanse is the super hyped trend going on right now in the health/wellness industry. The message is "Jennifer Aniston is doing it so I better get on that too".

We do need to cleanse, and rid our bodies of the excess toxins we may be carrying in our tissues and cells. There are effective ways to cleanse and then there are the fad or trendy ways to do so. I promote the safe, balanced and mindful approach in all that I do with my clients.

A proper cleanse must start with your daily DIET. There really is no point in buying cleansing kits, doing water or juice fasts, and taking those prepared concoctions of products that promise you will lose 10 pounds of excess whatever in 3 days.

It is a waste of your money and may even be dangerous if you have never done a cleanse before, or if you have a not so healthy lifestyle that includes smoking, regular intake of alcohol, refined sugar, processed foods, and heavy portions of animal products to begin with. Diet is first to get "clean", and will make the process of eliminating the deeper junk much more gentler.

So here are 5 foods can you start to eat right now to get you on the right path.

Begin by cutting down and eliminating sugar, anything that comes in a package, box or carton, coffee, and wheat products. Then replace with the following:

1. Flaxseeds and Flax seed oil: Ground flax seeds are high in fiber which help elimination. They are also high in lignans which is a chemical component proven to help reduce inflammation, prevent cancer and help ward off plaque forming on arterial walls from fats, which are associated with cardiovascular disease. Flax is a super and simple food you can't ignore. Have some fun and grind them up and throw them in shakes, salads, soups, or rice pilaffs. They have a great nutty taste and add crunch to your meals.

2. Blueberries- Actually most berries are phenomenal for adding anti oxidant rich sources of nutrients to your diet. Raspberries, strawberries, and goji berries all have fiber, and help to heal inflammation and assist in elimination. Cranberries are particularly advised for those with chronic bladder or pelvic inflammatory symptoms. Juicing or adding them directly into shakes make a great way to start your day.

3. Kale- Oh this is my fav!! I'm a kale freak. Or anyone who gets as excited as I do about a green vegetable is simply just a freak I guess. But really this is one POWER HOUSE of a vegetable.

Kale is incredibly loaded with vitamins, anti oxidants (those great little guys that ward off potential disease causing free radicals) chlorophyll which is a SUPER internal blood and organ cleanser and fiber! Fiber is your best friend when you begin ANY cleanse. You need to clean out the colon before any real effective cleansing can happen. So go get green!

4. Lemons- Lemons can be utilized to initiate cleansing from the moment you wake up. Have a glass of warm purified water, add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and drink half hour before your first meal of the day. Its incredible what this simple habit can do for your digestive system. It will help your liver get a jump start and help the movement of toxins out the body too.

5. Beets- This is another great yummy root vegetable that targets the liver and blood specifically. Beets are also high in phytochemicals which are plant compounds not found in any formulated commercial vitamin out there. Phytochemicals work to feed, regenerate, and bring the cells back to balance. And anything that brings balance, is congruent with my Core Connection philosophy.

Coming to balance is key. Connect with your body and give these foods a try. See what happens :)

Namaste

Piera